thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Hunger fighters at Denver’s Metro Caring seeing a wave of need amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Teva Sienicki has two decades of experience leading nonprofit organizations .
She has seen the impact of hard economic times before .
What the CEO of Denver hunger relief nonprofit Metro Caring is seeing this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it has brought on is a new level of hard .
“ The sheer volume and depth of impact on the community with people needing help with basic things like groceries , really I ’ ve never seen anything like that , ” Sienicki said earlier this month .
Metro Caring is a Season to Share beneficiary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they have ever been .
The organization has been around for more than 45 years and provides tens of thousands of people every year with nutritious food as well as offers programming to help them healthier and more prosperous lives .
Most of those it serves are working families that have struggled to keep up with the cost of living in Denver or older Americans relying on insufficient Social Security benefits , Sienicki said .
Since the novel coronavirus set in Colorado this spring , Metro Caring has seen its traffic nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The organization was serving an average of 2,364 families a month between August 2019 and February .
Between March and September , that average shot up to 7,128 families .
People of color , many working in heavily impacted industries like restaurants and retail , have been especially hard hit .
Metro Caring ’ s client base was between 27 % and 29 % Black before the pandemic .
Now it ’ s 39 % , organization officials say .
The heightened need comes against a backdrop of skyrocketing food costs .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would usually spend in a year .
“ The retailers have less waste and they have less to share with us , so we ’ re having to buy a lot more things , ” Sienicki said .
The pandemic has also altered the way Metro Caring delivers its services .
Its fresh foods market , the grocery-store style food pantry that provides clients with the opportunity to pick out their own food , has been shut down for COVID-19 safety .
Food donations are now picked up via a drive-thru operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together a variety of specialty food boxes to meet clients ’ dietary and cultural needs and provide some choice .
The struggles do not mean Metro Caring is backing away from its two-pronged mission of meeting people ’ s immediate needs for nutritious food and building a movement to address the root causes of hunger .
Danette Hollowell can attest to that .
The single mom , who gave birth to her third child , a son , in July , has been coming to Metro Caring for food and other resources when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Metro Caring was this one-stop-shop , ” she said of the support it provides .
“ And not only that , it really made me feel like a person .
My humanity was intact when I left.
” Recently , Metro Caring took on an expanded role in Hollowell ’ s life .
Not only has it help feed her and her children and provide other essentials like toothpaste , but its kitchen has also become a key part of a new business she launched this year , a pop-up waffle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollowell preps and stores food in Metro Caring ’ s commercial kitchen .
She has also become a part-time staffer and volunteer with the organization ’ s food rescue program .
She helps come up with recipes that turn items that might be wasted –like bunches of browned bananas or pounds of donated cactus– into ingredients Metro Caring clients can turn into easy-to-prepare dishes at home like banana bread or salsa .
“ A lot of people have had a crazy year , myself included .
Metro Caring really gave me the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They have trusted me with their kitchen , they have empowered me with their kitchen .
And I am just really grateful for them.
” Right now , Metro Caring is facing a financial deficit , having canceled two in-person fundraisers this year .
Sienicki knows from experience that individual donors are who get nonprofits through hard times like these and she is counting on the Denver community to step up .
This challenging time could be an opportunity to reexamine our priorities as a society and take steps to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country , she said .
“ We need to give until it hurts and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to not just get back to normal but build back better , ” she said .
“ This is a watershed moment that really highlights our connections to one another.
” Name of charity : Metro Caring Address : 1100 E. 18th Ave. , Denver Year it started : 1974 Number of employees : 24 full-time ; 5,000 volunteers Annual budget : $ 10.3 million ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal year 2019 .
Percentage of funds that goes directly to client services : More than 90 % Number served last fiscal year : 28,000 people from 11,000 households made 30,000 visits to the food market , 350 unique individuals received utility assistance and 36,000 people were served through the ID voucher program .

Teva Sienicki has two decades of experience leading nonprofit organizations. She has seen the impact of hard economic times before.
What the CEO of Denver hunger relief nonprofit Metro Caring is seeing this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it has brought on is a new level of hard.
“The sheer volume and depth of impact on the community with people needing help with basic things like groceries, really I’ve never seen anything like that,” Sienicki said earlier this month.
Metro Caring is a Season to Share beneficiary and this year donations are as important as they have ever been.
The organization has been around for more than 45 years and provides tens of thousands of people every year with nutritious food as well as offers programming to help them healthier and more prosperous lives. Most of those it serves are working families that have struggled to keep up with the cost of living in Denver or older Americans relying on insufficient Social Security benefits, Sienicki said.
Since the novel coronavirus set in Colorado this spring, Metro Caring has seen its traffic nearly triple, according to the nonprofit. The organization was serving an average of 2,364 families a month between August 2019 and February. Between March and September, that average shot up to 7,128 families.
People of color, many working in heavily impacted industries like restaurants and retail, have been especially hard hit. Metro Caring’s client base was between 27% and 29% Black before the pandemic. Now it’s 39%, organization officials say.
The heightened need comes against a backdrop of skyrocketing food costs. The organization is spending in three weeks what it would usually spend in a year.
“The retailers have less waste and they have less to share with us, so we’re having to buy a lot more things,” Sienicki said.
The pandemic has also altered the way Metro Caring delivers its services. Its fresh foods market, the grocery-store style food pantry that provides clients with the opportunity to pick out their own food, has been shut down for COVID-19 safety. Food donations are now picked up via a drive-thru operation on weekdays. The organization has put together a variety of specialty food boxes to meet clients’ dietary and cultural needs and provide some choice.
The struggles do not mean Metro Caring is backing away from its two-pronged mission of meeting people’s immediate needs for nutritious food and building a movement to address the root causes of hunger. Danette Hollowell can attest to that.
The single mom, who gave birth to her third child, a son, in July, has been coming to Metro Caring for food and other resources when she has needed them for 10 years.
“Metro Caring was this one-stop-shop,” she said of the support it provides. “And not only that, it really made me feel like a person. My humanity was intact when I left.”
Recently, Metro Caring took on an expanded role in Hollowell’s life. Not only has it help feed her and her children and provide other essentials like toothpaste, but its kitchen has also become a key part of a new business she launched this year, a pop-up waffle stand she calls Sticky Drip Waffles.
Hollowell preps and stores food in Metro Caring’s commercial kitchen. She has also become a part-time staffer and volunteer with the organization’s food rescue program. She helps come up with recipes that turn items that might be wasted –like bunches of browned bananas or pounds of donated cactus– into ingredients Metro Caring clients can turn into easy-to-prepare dishes at home like banana bread or salsa.
“A lot of people have had a crazy year, myself included. Metro Caring really gave me the opportunity to bounce back,” Hollowell said. “They have trusted me with their kitchen, they have empowered me with their kitchen. And I am just really grateful for them.”
Right now, Metro Caring is facing a financial deficit, having canceled two in-person fundraisers this year. Sienicki knows from experience that individual donors are who get nonprofits through hard times like these and she is counting on the Denver community to step up. This challenging time could be an opportunity to reexamine our priorities as a society and take steps to try to shrink the widening inequality gap in our country, she said.
“We need to give until it hurts and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to not just get back to normal but build back better,” she said. “This is a watershed moment that really highlights our connections to one another.”
Name of charity: Metro Caring
Address: 1100 E. 18th Ave., Denver
Year it started: 1974
Number of employees: 24 full-time; 5,000 volunteers
Annual budget: $10.3 million ($7.6 million in food distributed) in fiscal year 2019.
Percentage of funds that goes directly to client services: More than 90%
Number served last fiscal year: 28,000 people from 11,000 households made 30,000 visits to the food market, 350 unique individuals received utility assistance and 36,000 people were served through the ID voucher program.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Chambers: John Hayes, Ball Arena are good names for Denver hockey

The Pepsi Center ’ s name change to Ball Arena is a good move for Denver hockey .
John Hayes , the chairman , president and chief executive officer of Broomfield-based Ball Corporation , is a hockey guy .
He plays adult-league hockey and was the proud owner of the Denver Cutthroats , the Central Hockey League affiliate of the Avalanche for two seasons from 2012 to 2014 .
The Cutthroats were cool .
Named after Colorado ’ s state fish , the team offered an entertaining product at Denver Coliseum and deserved a better fate than going dormant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cutthroats ’ logo was a green fish with a red-stripped jawline ( cutthroat ) swimming through a “ D ” — a brilliant and original indigenous design for a Denver hockey team .
While Hayes and Ball Corp won ’ t have any influence on how Ball Arena ’ s clients are run , Avalanche , Nuggets and Mammoth fans should know that Hayes is in their corner .
“ The Cutthroats were all about family-based entertainment and it wasn ’ t just about minor-league hockey , it was creating an experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ At Ball Arena , we ’ re trying to create an experience around recyclability , sustainability , and aluminum packaging as cool and you can get rid of the plastic that ’ s polluting our planet and do something that ’ s both good and fun at the same time.
” In its online company overview , Ball Corp “ is a provider of metal packaging for beverages , foods and household products , and of aerospace and other technologies and services to commercial and governmental customers.
” That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pepsi will continue to be served at Ball Arena while Avalanche , Nuggets and Mammoth fans are better educated about recycling and sustainability .
Derek Armstrong , a championship-member of the International Hockey League ’ s Denver Grizzlies in 1995 , had a 477-game NHL career before Hayes hired him as the Cutthroats ’ only head coach and general manager in 2012 .
In their second and final season , the Cutthroats lost in the CHL finals to the Allen Americans .
Hayes , 54 , is a proven winner in business and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with Mr. Hayes — one of the best guys I know , ” Armstrong told me .
“ Loves the game of hockey , great passion .
When you retire , you struggle a little bit .
But he definitely helped with my post-career .
Had a lot of great advice for me , trusted me with the Cutthroats .
I ’ m glad he ’ s back in the game of hockey .
I know he has such a great passion for it and he ’ s an amazing man for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is also with KSE ’ s other two professional teams — the NFL ’ s Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium and the Premier League ’ s Arsenal FC , which plays at Emirates Stadium in London .
As with Ball Arena , work in those venues will increase awareness about the importance of aluminum recycling .
Ball Arena sounds a little funny now , and it might make hockey fans think of basketball .
But it ’ s a far better name than a soda company @

The Pepsi Center’s name change to Ball Arena is a good move for Denver hockey.
John Hayes, the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Broomfield-based Ball Corporation, is a hockey guy. He plays adult-league hockey and was the proud owner of the Denver Cutthroats, the Central Hockey League affiliate of the Avalanche for two seasons from 2012 to 2014.
The Cutthroats were cool. Named after Colorado’s state fish, the team offered an entertaining product at Denver Coliseum and deserved a better fate than going dormant in 2014 when the CHL folded.
The Cutthroats’ logo was a green fish with a red-stripped jawline (cutthroat) swimming through a “D” — a brilliant and original indigenous design for a Denver hockey team.
While Hayes and Ball Corp won’t have any influence on how Ball Arena’s clients are run, Avalanche, Nuggets and Mammoth fans should know that Hayes is in their corner.
“The Cutthroats were all about family-based entertainment and it wasn’t just about minor-league hockey, it was creating an experience,” Hayes said in a phone interview. “At Ball Arena, we’re trying to create an experience around recyclability, sustainability, and aluminum packaging as cool and you can get rid of the plastic that’s polluting our planet and do something that’s both good and fun at the same time.”
In its online company overview, Ball Corp “is a provider of metal packaging for beverages, foods and household products, and of aerospace and other technologies and services to commercial and governmental customers.”
That’s more important than a soda product. Pepsi will continue to be served at Ball Arena while Avalanche, Nuggets and Mammoth fans are better educated about recycling and sustainability.
Derek Armstrong, a championship-member of the International Hockey League’s Denver Grizzlies in 1995, had a 477-game NHL career before Hayes hired him as the Cutthroats’ only head coach and general manager in 2012. In their second and final season, the Cutthroats lost in the CHL finals to the Allen Americans.
Hayes, 54, is a proven winner in business and sports.
“I was fortunate to work with Mr. Hayes — one of the best guys I know,” Armstrong told me. “Loves the game of hockey, great passion. When you retire, you struggle a little bit. But he definitely helped with my post-career. Had a lot of great advice for me, trusted me with the Cutthroats. I’m glad he’s back in the game of hockey. I know he has such a great passion for it and he’s an amazing man for the community.”
Ball Corp’s partnership with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is also with KSE’s other two professional teams — the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium and the Premier League’s Arsenal FC, which plays at Emirates Stadium in London. As with Ball Arena, work in those venues will increase awareness about the importance of aluminum recycling.
Ball Arena sounds a little funny now, and it might make hockey fans think of basketball.
But it’s a far better name than a soda company.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Post Premium: Top stories for Oct. 19-25, 2020

Colorado ’ s summer of record heat , extreme drought and devastating wildfires — the three largest ever recorded have burned in the last three months — has cast fresh urgency on our climate crisis , as this state and the West see escalating impacts from a warming planet .
Scientists say Colorado will face more hot days , that rising heat is depleting water and drying soil , and mega-fires like Cameron Peak and East Troublesome are burning hotter and longer , drenching more of the Front Range in choking , particulate-laden smoke .
Environment reporter Bruce Finley today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts of climate warming , and lagging preparations by Colorado leaders to deal with this crisis .
The head of the state ’ s Department of Natural Resources says these impacts over the next 30 years look “ very troubling and , frankly , terrifying.
” As Colorado wildfires burn , fears that climate change is causing “ multi-level emergency ” mount Five don ’ t-miss stories from last week “ Like going through the gates of hell ” : Grand Lake residents share horror of losing everything as East Troublesome fire exploded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t help but think about the trees .
The ones where he made his treehouses on the Winding River Ranch in Grand Lake as a kid — his favorite spot to play when he wasn ’ t helping his dad out on the ranch .
Nearly 50 years later , that same family ranch became his life ’ s work .
Busse transformed the space into a wedding venue and hosted veterans , who used the animals and serene wilderness to cope with trauma from the horrors of overseas combat .
Busse ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where she ’ d visit from Arizona even as she approached the century mark .
But this week , those same trees that Busse used to climb were engulfed in flames — along with his house , his grandmother ’ s house and more than a dozen other buildings on the 240-acre ranch that he ’ s called home his entire life .
Continue Reading… • Emergency alerts : How to stay informed about Colorado wildfire evacuations in your area • Couple confirmed dead in East Troublesome fire ; family says they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own terms ” • MAP : Wildfires in Colorado and the United States Colorado ’ s 6th District , once a political battleground , is quiet now On Nov. 3 , Steve House will try to do what Republicans did without exception for decades : win an election in Colorado ’ s 6th Congressional District .
But since Democratic Rep. Jason Crow ’ s 11-point victory here in 2018 , political oddsmakers have written it off as a lost cause for Republicans .
Read More… • Colorado voter guide 2020 : Stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot measures Report forecasts major small business job losses in Denver and beyond as winter chill sets in The “ Game of Thrones ” tagline “ winter is coming ” is especially ominous for small businesses in this COVID-19 battered year .
A new report from online payroll and benefits platform Gusto predicts dire outcomes if more government relief funding is not made available to help businesses through the cold weather months .
Read More… Facing the cataclysmic shock of a once-in-a-century pandemic , the Regional Transportation District is in no position to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t keeping the agency from mulling a reshuffling plan that points to potentially seismic future changes in how — and where — it runs bus lines .
RTD ’ s board this week is poised to approve a new service plan that in January would suspend three regional bus routes with low ridership , including downtown commuter buses to Conifer , Evergreen and several other foothills communities .
Read More… CU ’ s Board of Regents planned to fire Bruce Benson before he announced retirement , records show Bruce Benson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he planned to retire as president of the University of Colorado preempted a previously undisclosed attempt by a majority of the Board of Regents to fire him , according to records obtained by The Denver Post .
Read More… See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .
See more photos from The Denver Post ’ s coverage of the Colorado wildfires .

Colorado’s summer of record heat, extreme drought and devastating wildfires — the three largest ever recorded have burned in the last three months — has cast fresh urgency on our climate crisis, as this state and the West see escalating impacts from a warming planet.
Scientists say Colorado will face more hot days, that rising heat is depleting water and drying soil, and mega-fires like Cameron Peak and East Troublesome are burning hotter and longer, drenching more of the Front Range in choking, particulate-laden smoke.
Environment reporter Bruce Finley today looks at these worsening and largely irreversible impacts of climate warming, and lagging preparations by Colorado leaders to deal with this crisis. The head of the state’s Department of Natural Resources says these impacts over the next 30 years look “very troubling and, frankly, terrifying.”
— Matt Sebastian, The Denver Post
Five don’t-miss stories from last week
GRAND COUNTY — Travis Busse can’t help but think about the trees.
The ones where he made his treehouses on the Winding River Ranch in Grand Lake as a kid — his favorite spot to play when he wasn’t helping his dad out on the ranch.
Nearly 50 years later, that same family ranch became his life’s work. Busse transformed the space into a wedding venue and hosted veterans, who used the animals and serene wilderness to cope with trauma from the horrors of overseas combat. Busse’s grandmother still had a house there, where she’d visit from Arizona even as she approached the century mark.
But this week, those same trees that Busse used to climb were engulfed in flames — along with his house, his grandmother’s house and more than a dozen other buildings on the 240-acre ranch that he’s called home his entire life. Continue Reading…
RELATED:
On Nov. 3, Steve House will try to do what Republicans did without exception for decades: win an election in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District. But since Democratic Rep. Jason Crow’s 11-point victory here in 2018, political oddsmakers have written it off as a lost cause for Republicans. Read More…
RELATED:
Colorado voter guide 2020: Stories, explainers and endorsements on candidates and ballot measures
The “Game of Thrones” tagline “winter is coming” is especially ominous for small businesses in this COVID-19 battered year.
A new report from online payroll and benefits platform Gusto predicts dire outcomes if more government relief funding is not made available to help businesses through the cold weather months. Read More…
Facing the cataclysmic shock of a once-in-a-century pandemic, the Regional Transportation District is in no position to expand service anytime soon. But that isn’t keeping the agency from mulling a reshuffling plan that points to potentially seismic future changes in how — and where — it runs bus lines.
RTD’s board this week is poised to approve a new service plan that in January would suspend three regional bus routes with low ridership, including downtown commuter buses to Conifer, Evergreen and several other foothills communities. Read More…
Bruce Benson’s announcement in the summer of 2018 that he planned to retire as president of the University of Colorado preempted a previously undisclosed attempt by a majority of the Board of Regents to fire him, according to records obtained by The Denver Post. Read More…
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.
See more photos from The Denver Post’s coverage of the Colorado wildfires.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Colorado’s 6th District, once a political battleground, is quiet now

On a recent Wednesday afternoon , congressional candidate Steve House walked into a cluttered pawn shop along East Colfax Avenue in Aurora as an employee , recognizing his incoming customer , playfully shouted , “ Hey , no politics in here !
” Wearing a suit and tie , and speaking genially behind a black mask , the Republican underdog for Congress is known in many of the eclectic storefronts that line East Colfax , near his campaign office .
Earlier in the day , he met with local business owners , most of whom were Black , for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day , primarily systemic struggles in the city ’ s Black community .
On Nov. 3 , House will try to do what Republicans did without exception for decades : win an election in Colorado ’ s 6th Congressional District .
But since Democratic Rep. Jason Crow ’ s 11-point victory here in 2018 , political oddsmakers have written it off as a lost cause for Republicans .
Cook Political Report rates it “ Solid Democrat ” and Crystal Ball rates it “ Safe Democrat.
” Calculations from FiveThirtyEight , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 3 % chance .
For the first time in several election cycles , there has not been an influx of outside money into the 6th District this year .
There has been no public polling and no debate .
All is quiet in what was once a well-trodden political battleground .
The 6th District is shaped like a backward C surrounding Denver on three sides .
It includes the northern suburbs , such as Brighton , where House lives ; the southern suburbs , such as Centennial and Littleton ; and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Aurora , where Crow lives .
Republicans fare best in the wealthier Douglas County sections ; Democrats are strongest in Aurora and Arapahoe County .
“ Eight-nine percent of the time , the House candidate with the most money wins the race , especially if they ’ re an incumbent , ” House said in an interview , referring to Crow ’ s money advantage .
“ So , we automatically only have an 11 % chance of beating him .
However , when you ’ re a freshman in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelect .
So , if we ’ re going to beat Jason Crow , now is the time to do it.
” Crow is wrapping up a high-profile freshman term that hopped from crisis to crisis .
He entered Congress during a record-long federal government shutdown , was a prosecutor in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump and self-quarantined after exposure to coronavirus .
“ Maybe I have a knack for timing in public service , that I end up going into government and public service work during very turbulent times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thinking back to his three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan .
“ It does seem to be my history.
” House , a former health care executive , has tried to make health care the central issue of the race , an unusual strategy for a Republican in 2020 .
His campaign website says he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act , but he said in a recent interview that he ’ s open to reforming the 2010 law instead .
House believes price transparency and increased U.S. drug manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
Under House ’ s plan , medical savings accounts would then be created and insurers would pay bonuses into the accounts of people who remain healthy and hit wellness goals .
Late in life , if people have remained healthy , they can move that money into a retirement account , under his plan .
Crow supports Medicare X , a reform favored by moderate Democrats that would allow Americans to either keep private insurance plans they currently have or purchase a government health insurance plan similar to Medicare .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as pediatrics and maternity care .
A recent House TV ad accuses Crow of wanting to gut medical benefits and cut Medicare .
“ When I saw it , it just made me sad , ” Crow said of the ad .
“ I ’ ve always gotten along with my opponent , and it ’ s sad to see him give in to what I think of as Trumpism — straight out lies and distortions — during a political campaign .
That ’ s what people dislike about politics.
” Crow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common tactic among incumbents who expect to win easily — that have highlighted his work on health care , the environment and coronavirus relief .
Over the summer , he took his volunteers off the campaign trail and put them to work sending 67,000 text messages with COVID-19 resources and information to 6th District residents .
House , an unsuccessful 2014 gubernatorial candidate who went on to chair the Colorado Republican Party , has made some missteps .
In August , his campaign removed a photo of Elijah McClain from a flyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have permission to use it .
Last month , his campaign deleted social media posts that incorrectly claimed he had been endorsed by an OBGYN group .
Win or lose , House plans to keep his campaign office on Colfax through the rest of the year .
He has bought decks of Scrummy , a vocabulary game developed in Denver , and plans to host tournaments there for local kids after the election .
Crow , meanwhile , is hoping for a sophomore term less chaotic than his first .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope to get , ” the congressman said in an interview last week , “ where we don ’ t have to spend all this time responding to crises manufactured by President Trump .
”

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, congressional candidate Steve House walked into a cluttered pawn shop along East Colfax Avenue in Aurora as an employee, recognizing his incoming customer, playfully shouted, “Hey, no politics in here!”
Wearing a suit and tie, and speaking genially behind a black mask, the Republican underdog for Congress is known in many of the eclectic storefronts that line East Colfax, near his campaign office. Earlier in the day, he met with local business owners, most of whom were Black, for an impromptu and wide-ranging talk about the issues of the day, primarily systemic struggles in the city’s Black community.
On Nov. 3, House will try to do what Republicans did without exception for decades: win an election in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District. But since Democratic Rep. Jason Crow’s 11-point victory here in 2018, political oddsmakers have written it off as a lost cause for Republicans. Cook Political Report rates it “Solid Democrat” and Crystal Ball rates it “Safe Democrat.” Calculations from FiveThirtyEight, the popular statistics website, say House has a 3% chance.
For the first time in several election cycles, there has not been an influx of outside money into the 6th District this year. There has been no public polling and no debate. All is quiet in what was once a well-trodden political battleground.
The 6th District is shaped like a backward C surrounding Denver on three sides. It includes the northern suburbs, such as Brighton, where House lives; the southern suburbs, such as Centennial and Littleton; and the eastern parts of the metro area, such as Aurora, where Crow lives. Republicans fare best in the wealthier Douglas County sections; Democrats are strongest in Aurora and Arapahoe County.
“Eight-nine percent of the time, the House candidate with the most money wins the race, especially if they’re an incumbent,” House said in an interview, referring to Crow’s money advantage. “So, we automatically only have an 11% chance of beating him. However, when you’re a freshman in Congress, your biggest risk is your first reelect. So, if we’re going to beat Jason Crow, now is the time to do it.”
Crow is wrapping up a high-profile freshman term that hopped from crisis to crisis. He entered Congress during a record-long federal government shutdown, was a prosecutor in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump and self-quarantined after exposure to coronavirus.
“Maybe I have a knack for timing in public service, that I end up going into government and public service work during very turbulent times,” he said with a laugh Tuesday, thinking back to his three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. “It does seem to be my history.”
House, a former health care executive, has tried to make health care the central issue of the race, an unusual strategy for a Republican in 2020. His campaign website says he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but he said in a recent interview that he’s open to reforming the 2010 law instead.
House believes price transparency and increased U.S. drug manufacturing will begin to lower the cost of care. Under House’s plan, medical savings accounts would then be created and insurers would pay bonuses into the accounts of people who remain healthy and hit wellness goals. Late in life, if people have remained healthy, they can move that money into a retirement account, under his plan.
Crow supports Medicare X, a reform favored by moderate Democrats that would allow Americans to either keep private insurance plans they currently have or purchase a government health insurance plan similar to Medicare. It would include benefits Medicare does not, such as pediatrics and maternity care. A recent House TV ad accuses Crow of wanting to gut medical benefits and cut Medicare.
“When I saw it, it just made me sad,” Crow said of the ad. “I’ve always gotten along with my opponent, and it’s sad to see him give in to what I think of as Trumpism — straight out lies and distortions — during a political campaign. That’s what people dislike about politics.”
Crow has run only positive television ads — a common tactic among incumbents who expect to win easily — that have highlighted his work on health care, the environment and coronavirus relief. Over the summer, he took his volunteers off the campaign trail and put them to work sending 67,000 text messages with COVID-19 resources and information to 6th District residents.
House, an unsuccessful 2014 gubernatorial candidate who went on to chair the Colorado Republican Party, has made some missteps. In August, his campaign removed a photo of Elijah McClain from a flyer after the McClain family said it did not have permission to use it. Last month, his campaign deleted social media posts that incorrectly claimed he had been endorsed by an OBGYN group.
Win or lose, House plans to keep his campaign office on Colfax through the rest of the year. He has bought decks of Scrummy, a vocabulary game developed in Denver, and plans to host tournaments there for local kids after the election.
Crow, meanwhile, is hoping for a sophomore term less chaotic than his first.
“I am looking forward to an opportunity that I hope to get,” the congressman said in an interview last week, “where we don’t have to spend all this time responding to crises manufactured by President Trump.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Report forecasts major small business job losses in Denver and beyond as winter chill sets in

The “ Game of Thrones ” tagline “ winter is coming ” is especially ominous for small businesses in this COVID-19 battered year .
A new report from online payroll and benefits platform Gusto predicts dire outcomes if more government relief funding is not made available to help businesses through the cold weather months .
The report , authored by Gusto economist Luke Pardue , outlines a scenario where retailers and leisure and hospitality businesses including restaurants hemorrhage 1.4 million jobs as cold weather makes pandemic adaptations like outdoor dining and queuing outside shops with capped capacities untenable in large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If coronavirus cases spike , as they already are in Colorado and other parts of the country , and economic activity slows even more , Pardue predicts that small businesses in those sectors could shed 2.8 million jobs .
Denver would not be spared .
Gusto , which has a large office in the city , predicts that hospitality and retail businesses in the Denver metro could let go of 33,500 workers over the next few months and 333 small businesses –those with 100 employees or fewer– could close by late January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial recovery since the depths of the recession .
About half of those gains were due to outdoor adjustments business was able to make , ” Pardue said “ I know Denver people are used to cold weather , but it ’ s kind of open question if when the snow comes if they will wait in line when the bookstore has a capacity limit.
” Gusto ’ s predictions rely on some assumptions .
Chief among them that half of all retail and leisure jobs U.S. employers added back this summer after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible by adjustments like expanded al fresco dining .
Pardue ’ s report acknowledges other factors such as the rollback of government restrictions and shutdown orders have played a part in the country ’ s uneven economic recovery .
The report cites a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research to assert that customer traffic “ was much more responsive to business efforts to decrease crowding within the establishment.
” Seasonal job losses are common in the Denver metro area .
The leisure and hospitality industry has employed 10,500 fewer workers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous September over the last 10 years , according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data .
But Pardue said his predictions aren ’ t impacted by that seasonality because he is focused on the months of October , November and December when employment numbers are relatively flat , only varying by a few thousand jobs one way or another .
Colorado ’ s unemployment rate fell to a pandemic low of 6.4 % last month after a household worker survey indicated 63,400 people in the state found employment between August and September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post , state labor economist Ryan Gedney reiterated a point he has made repeatedly in recent weeks : Job recovery over the next six months will depend heavily on demand for restaurant dining as the weather turns cold and the industry ’ s ability to accommodate that demand .
“ Additionally , significant shifts in demand for seasonal travel and holiday spending will impact sectors like arts , entertainment , and recreation , hotels , and retail , ” Gedney wrote .
“ Lack of additional and timely federal government aid could also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Local restaurants are certainly worried about winter weather and rushing to set up options to give diners space but keep them warm .
The Colorado Restaurant Association surveyed 135 businesses across the state this month and found half of them plan to take advantage of winter patio programs in their communities .
The average cost of setting up a space that is habitable in cold weather is $ 6,000 , the survey found .
That ’ s a sizable amount of money when 91 % of the responding restaurants say their revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Half of the surveyed restaurants say they will close in the next six months if business conditions don ’ t improve .
“ Restaurants are extremely worried about surviving the winter , ” association CEO Sonia Riggs said in a statement .
“ Restaurants need cash assistance and more capacity if they ’ re going to survive.
” Pardue ’ s report outlines some policies that he feels could make the winter easier on businesses .
At the top of the list is allowing federal Paycheck Protection Program money to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as heating lamps for patio spaces .
There is one problem with that .
Tony Gagliardi , Colorado director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses , says his organization research has found that 86 % of all NFIB members who received PPP loans earlier this year have already spent all the money .
“ Our members are really very concerned about Congress being able to pass a second round of PPP , ” Gagliardi said .
“ There is uncertainty .
And when you have uncertainty on Main Street , you @ @ @ @ @

The “Game of Thrones” tagline “winter is coming” is especially ominous for small businesses in this COVID-19 battered year.
A new report from online payroll and benefits platform Gusto predicts dire outcomes if more government relief funding is not made available to help businesses through the cold weather months.
The report, authored by Gusto economist Luke Pardue, outlines a scenario where retailers and leisure and hospitality businesses including restaurants hemorrhage 1.4 million jobs as cold weather makes pandemic adaptations like outdoor dining and queuing outside shops with capped capacities untenable in large swaths of the northern and western U.S.
If coronavirus cases spike, as they already are in Colorado and other parts of the country, and economic activity slows even more, Pardue predicts that small businesses in those sectors could shed 2.8 million jobs.
Denver would not be spared. Gusto, which has a large office in the city, predicts that hospitality and retail businesses in the Denver metro could let go of 33,500 workers over the next few months and 333 small businesses –those with 100 employees or fewer– could close by late January.
“Denver has experienced a pretty substantial recovery since the depths of the recession. About half of those gains were due to outdoor adjustments business was able to make,” Pardue said “I know Denver people are used to cold weather, but it’s kind of open question if when the snow comes if they will wait in line when the bookstore has a capacity limit.”
Gusto’s predictions rely on some assumptions. Chief among them that half of all retail and leisure jobs U.S. employers added back this summer after mass job cuts this spring were made possible by adjustments like expanded al fresco dining. Pardue’s report acknowledges other factors such as the rollback of government restrictions and shutdown orders have played a part in the country’s uneven economic recovery. The report cites a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research to assert that customer traffic “was much more responsive to business efforts to decrease crowding within the establishment.”
Seasonal job losses are common in the Denver metro area. The leisure and hospitality industry has employed 10,500 fewer workers on average in February when compared to the previous September over the last 10 years, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. But Pardue said his predictions aren’t impacted by that seasonality because he is focused on the months of October, November and December when employment numbers are relatively flat, only varying by a few thousand jobs one way or another.
Colorado’s unemployment rate fell to a pandemic low of 6.4% last month after a household worker survey indicated 63,400 people in the state found employment between August and September.
In a recent email to The Denver Post, state labor economist Ryan Gedney reiterated a point he has made repeatedly in recent weeks: Job recovery over the next six months will depend heavily on demand for restaurant dining as the weather turns cold and the industry’s ability to accommodate that demand.
“Additionally, significant shifts in demand for seasonal travel and holiday spending will impact sectors like arts, entertainment, and recreation, hotels, and retail,” Gedney wrote. “Lack of additional and timely federal government aid could also impact recovery for the U.S. and Colorado.”
Local restaurants are certainly worried about winter weather and rushing to set up options to give diners space but keep them warm.
The Colorado Restaurant Association surveyed 135 businesses across the state this month and found half of them plan to take advantage of winter patio programs in their communities. The average cost of setting up a space that is habitable in cold weather is $6,000, the survey found. That’s a sizable amount of money when 91% of the responding restaurants say their revenue over the summer was down compared to 2019. Half of the surveyed restaurants say they will close in the next six months if business conditions don’t improve.
“Restaurants are extremely worried about surviving the winter,” association CEO Sonia Riggs said in a statement. “Restaurants need cash assistance and more capacity if they’re going to survive.”
Pardue’s report outlines some policies that he feels could make the winter easier on businesses. At the top of the list is allowing federal Paycheck Protection Program money to be issued for things beyond employee payroll, such as heating lamps for patio spaces.
There is one problem with that. Tony Gagliardi, Colorado director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, says his organization research has found that 86% of all NFIB members who received PPP loans earlier this year have already spent all the money.
“Our members are really very concerned about Congress being able to pass a second round of PPP,” Gagliardi said. “There is uncertainty. And when you have uncertainty on Main Street, you have economic problems.”
Denver Post staff writer Aldo Svaldi contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--For Broncos’ offense this season, red zone has been woe zone

As they moved down the field against Tennessee in the season opener , the Broncos had a new play-caller , two additions to the offensive line , a second-year quarterback and multiple young skill-position players .
Catches of 16 and 31 yards by tight end Noah Fant , a nine-yard carry by running back Melvin Gordon and an 11-yard catch by running back Phillip Lindsay gave the Broncos first-and-goal from the 2 .
Then the red zone became the woe zone .
Four plays gained one yard , wasting the early-drive gains , and ending with zero points .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game against Kansas City as the Broncos ’ offense ranks 30th in red zone touchdown efficiency — 40 % ( six touchdowns in 15 possessions ) .
Only the New York Giants ( 1-6 , 33.3 % ) and Jets ( 0-6 , 23.1 % ) are worse .
To further illustrate the red zone woes , the Broncos are : • Averaging 3.8 points per red zone possession — 30th in the NFL .
• Gaining an average of 2.32 yards per red zone play ( 39 plays/93 yards ) — 27th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in the red zone — a conversion rate of 14.3 % — tied for last .
“ We haven ’ t found our niche down there yet , obviously , ” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said .
And obviously , it needs to be discovered quickly … like by Sunday , if the Broncos hope to upset Kansas City and complete their climb back to .500 after an 0-3 start .
Put kicker Brandon McManus in position to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third consecutive game and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 2-4 .
Red zone issues have become commonplace for the Broncos .
Since 2015 , they have finished 28th , 26th , 32nd , 19th and 28th in touchdown rate .
The coordinators , quarterbacks and key players change , but the results stay about the same .
The Broncos do enough things to move into the red zone .
They have a positive play or two to inch closer to the goal line .
Then they get bogged down — missed run block , dropped pass , penalty , etc .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his All-Pro candidacy .
So what ’ s the issue ?
Well , everything , as these four possessions showed .
Week 1 vs. Tennessee : The plays by Fant , Gordon and Lindsay put the Broncos at the 2 in a 7-7 game .
First down — right guard Graham Glasgow missed his block ( Lindsay one-yard carry ) .
Second down — under pressure , quarterback Drew Lock threw high and incomplete .
Third down — unblocked Titans defender and tight end Jake Butt ’ s missed block combined to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down — shovel pass to Butt that was doomed from the hop ( no gain ) .
Week 2 at Pittsburgh : Without Lock ( shoulder ) and receiver Courtland Sutton ( ACL ) , the Broncos trailed 17-3 , but had first-and-goal from the 4 .
First down — quarterback Jeff Driskel missed open receiver Tim Patrick and was sacked in 3.71 seconds .
Second down — Driskel misfired toward Fant in the end zone .
Third down — under pressure , Driskel threw incomplete to Gordon at the 5-yard line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ) : Leading 6-0 in the second quarter , the Broncos had first down from the 11 after tight end Albert Okwuegbunam ’ s 27-yard catch and run .
First down — three-yard carry by running back Royce Freeman .
Second down — Okwuegbunam dropped pass in end zone .
Third down — overthrown incompletion by Lock .
“ That ’ s a catch I make 100 % of the time in practice , ” Okwuegbunam said .
“ I ’ m hungry for another opportunity.
” Week 6 at New England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Broncos moved to the Patriots ’ 4 .
First down — center Lloyd Cushenberry lost his block ( Lindsay one-yard rush ) .
Second down — unblocked Patriots defender stopped Lindsay ( two-yard loss ) .
Third down — Lock scrambled for three yards .
The Broncos escaped New England with an 18-12 win thanks to McManus ’ six field goals .
“ I don ’ t think we took full advantage of our opportunities ( last week ) and we paid the price for it.
” Shurmur said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red zone issues .
Lock is only eight starts into his career .
Fant and left guard Dalton Risner are second-year players .
Okwuegbunam and receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler are rookies .
Sutton , a terrific red zone target , is out for the year .
And Lindsay , an effective inside runner , missed three games .
The youth at receiver and tight end is worth noting .
“ At this level , there ’ s more stuff ( called by the defense ) , ” Broncos receivers coach Zach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL , when you get down there , drop their ends , double cover and bracket .
“ Either way , in the last game , if we make a couple more catches , we ’ re not even talking about the red zone struggles .
As wideouts and tight ends , we have to help Drew .
As far as ( the red zone ) being a little bit different for receivers , yeah it is , but it ’ s still football and we have to catch the ball and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is inconsistent .
Twenty-one of the 39 red zone plays should be labeled as unsuccessful , be it incomplete passes , sacks or “ bad ” run plays .
“ Everything gets squished up down there , ” Fangio said .
“ The end line becomes the 12th defender for the defense .
Things are tighter , things need to be more precise and it ’ s just tougher for the offense down there.
” The Broncos ’ red zone running game is broken , which has impacted their third-down play-calling .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to an average of five yards to go on third down .
“ The good red zone offenses are able to run the ball down there , too , and have a good mix of run and pass , ” Fangio said .
Through five games , the Broncos have faced only one of the league ’ s top 10 red zone defenses ( sixth-ranked New England ) , meaning this is a look-at-the-mirror issue and not the-opponent-is-simply-superior situation .
And as Fangio said , their niche better be found .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t give you a bunch of chances , ” Shurmur said .
“ As coaches , we ’ re always trying to get good looks in the 1-on-1 situations .
… And then , ultimately , the full execution of it comes down to all of us .
”

As they moved down the field against Tennessee in the season opener, the Broncos had a new play-caller, two additions to the offensive line, a second-year quarterback and multiple young skill-position players.
Catches of 16 and 31 yards by tight end Noah Fant, a nine-yard carry by running back Melvin Gordon and an 11-yard catch by running back Phillip Lindsay gave the Broncos first-and-goal from the 2.
Then the red zone became the woe zone. Four plays gained one yard, wasting the early-drive gains, and ending with zero points.
The problems have continued entering Sunday’s game against Kansas City as the Broncos’ offense ranks 30th in red zone touchdown efficiency — 40% (six touchdowns in 15 possessions). Only the New York Giants (1-6, 33.3%) and Jets (0-6, 23.1%) are worse.
To further illustrate the red zone woes, the Broncos are:
Averaging 3.8 points per red zone possession — 30th in the NFL.
Gaining an average of 2.32 yards per red zone play (39 plays/93 yards) — 27th.
Gaining 2.17 yards per red zone rushing attempt — 29th.
One of seven on third down in the red zone — a conversion rate of 14.3% — tied for last.
“We haven’t found our niche down there yet, obviously,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said.
And obviously, it needs to be discovered quickly … like by Sunday, if the Broncos hope to upset Kansas City and complete their climb back to .500 after an 0-3 start. Put kicker Brandon McManus in position to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third consecutive game and chances are the Broncos will enter November at 2-4.
Struggles aren’t new
Red zone issues have become commonplace for the Broncos. Since 2015, they have finished 28th, 26th, 32nd, 19th and 28th in touchdown rate.
The coordinators, quarterbacks and key players change, but the results stay about the same. The Broncos do enough things to move into the red zone. They have a positive play or two to inch closer to the goal line. Then they get bogged down — missed run block, dropped pass, penalty, etc. — and out runs McManus to bolster his All-Pro candidacy.
So what’s the issue? Well, everything, as these four possessions showed.
Week 1 vs. Tennessee: The plays by Fant, Gordon and Lindsay put the Broncos at the 2 in a 7-7 game.
First down — right guard Graham Glasgow missed his block (Lindsay one-yard carry). Second down — under pressure, quarterback Drew Lock threw high and incomplete. Third down — unblocked Titans defender and tight end Jake Butt’s missed block combined to stop Gordon (no gain). Fourth down — shovel pass to Butt that was doomed from the hop (no gain).
Week 2 at Pittsburgh: Without Lock (shoulder) and receiver Courtland Sutton (ACL), the Broncos trailed 17-3, but had first-and-goal from the 4.
First down — quarterback Jeff Driskel missed open receiver Tim Patrick and was sacked in 3.71 seconds. Second down — Driskel misfired toward Fant in the end zone. Third down — under pressure, Driskel threw incomplete to Gordon at the 5-yard line.
Week 6 at New England (part 1): Leading 6-0 in the second quarter, the Broncos had first down from the 11 after tight end Albert Okwuegbunam’s 27-yard catch and run.
First down — three-yard carry by running back Royce Freeman. Second down — Okwuegbunam dropped pass in end zone. Third down — overthrown incompletion by Lock.
“That’s a catch I make 100% of the time in practice,” Okwuegbunam said. “I’m hungry for another opportunity.”
Week 6 at New England (part 2): Leading 12-3, the Broncos moved to the Patriots’ 4.
First down — center Lloyd Cushenberry lost his block (Lindsay one-yard rush). Second down — unblocked Patriots defender stopped Lindsay (two-yard loss). Third down — Lock scrambled for three yards.
The Broncos escaped New England with an 18-12 win thanks to McManus’ six field goals.
“I don’t think we took full advantage of our opportunities (last week) and we paid the price for it.” Shurmur said.
Seeing red inside 20 Entering Week 7, the Broncos are 30th in red zone touchdown efficiency. Here’s where they rank in key red zone categories compared to the league leader and Sunday’s opponent (Kansas City) per Stats, Inc.: Touchdown rate 1. Seattle 88.9% (16 of 18) 9. Kansas City 69.6% (16 of 23) 30. Broncos 40% (6 of 15) NFL average 62.70% Points per red zone trip 1. Seattle 6.17 8. Kansas City 5.65 30. Broncos 3.8 NFL average 5.15 Yards per red zone snap 1. Minnesota 4.63 9. Kansas City 3.59 27. Broncos 2.38 NFL average 3.14 Third-down red zone pct. 1. Tampa Bay 70.6% (12 of 17) 11. Kansas City 53.3% (8 of 15) T31. Broncos 14.3% (1 of 7) NFL average 45.30%
Fixing everything
The Broncos could cite growing pains for the red zone issues. Lock is only eight starts into his career. Fant and left guard Dalton Risner are second-year players. Okwuegbunam and receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler are rookies. Sutton, a terrific red zone target, is out for the year. And Lindsay, an effective inside runner, missed three games.
The youth at receiver and tight end is worth noting.
“At this level, there’s more stuff (called by the defense),” Broncos receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. “The coordinators in the NFL, when you get down there, drop their ends, double cover and bracket.
“Either way, in the last game, if we make a couple more catches, we’re not even talking about the red zone struggles. As wideouts and tight ends, we have to help Drew. As far as (the red zone) being a little bit different for receivers, yeah it is, but it’s still football and we have to catch the ball and make the contested play.”
The execution is inconsistent. Twenty-one of the 39 red zone plays should be labeled as unsuccessful, be it incomplete passes, sacks or “bad” run plays.
“Everything gets squished up down there,” Fangio said. “The end line becomes the 12th defender for the defense. Things are tighter, things need to be more precise and it’s just tougher for the offense down there.”
The Broncos’ red zone running game is broken, which has impacted their third-down play-calling. Their 18 rushes have gained 39 yards, leading to an average of five yards to go on third down.
“The good red zone offenses are able to run the ball down there, too, and have a good mix of run and pass,” Fangio said.
Through five games, the Broncos have faced only one of the league’s top 10 red zone defenses (sixth-ranked New England), meaning this is a look-at-the-mirror issue and not the-opponent-is-simply-superior situation. And as Fangio said, their niche better be found.
“When you go against good teams, they don’t give you a bunch of chances,” Shurmur said. “As coaches, we’re always trying to get good looks in the 1-on-1 situations. … And then, ultimately, the full execution of it comes down to all of us.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Gary Miller: The most expensive business mistake is missing an opportunity

In school , we were usually given the lesson first and the test afterward .
Not so in business .
In business we are often given the test first and the lesson afterward .
That ’ s why business is often described as the school of hard knocks .
We are all familiar with stories of missed opportunities among today ’ s largest corporations , which in retrospect would have brought them billions of revenues .
Most small businesses , too , will have opportunities that don ’ t look obvious at the time .
History records some enormous missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government committee rejected Thomas Edison ’ s invention of the light bulb stating “ … it is OK for our transatlantic friends … but unworthy of the attention of practical or scientific men.
” In 1876 , Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone .
He wanted to commercialize it by putting it in every American home .
He offered the patent to Western Union for $ 100,000 .
Western Union ’ s response was , “ Why would any person want to use this ungainly and impractical device when he can send a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear written message sent to any large city in the U.S. ” Kodak was once the largest film company in the U.S. Then came the digital age .
Kodak ’ s own engineer , Steven Sasson , invented the digital camera .
He thought his employer would be thrilled .
Instead , Kodak thought the new invention would be a threat to its core business .
They suppressed the technology and hoped it would never see the light of day .
The digital technology would have brought Kodak shareholders billions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of business .
In the 1970s , Steve Wozniak worked for Hewlett-Packard .
He tried to convince his employer to embrace a new home computer that he was building .
HP rejected the idea and said , “ … people would never use computers at home.
” He left HP and joined his friend Steve Jobs to build the first home computer in a garage — Apple I .
We all know what happened next .
Remember Ross Perot , founder of Electronic Data Systems ?
In 1979 , Perot met Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , Microsoft .
Gates offered Perot a majority interest in his company for $ 60 million .
Perot thought it was too much and passed on the deal , missing one of the greatest financial opportunities in his life .
In 2000 , Blockbuster ruled the home entertainment industry .
Along came Netflix , a struggling online mail order company in need of cash .
Netflix offered to sell its company to Blockbuster for $ 50 million .
Blockbuster ’ s CEO , John Antioco , thought the offer was ludicrous and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finding the money elsewhere , Netflix changed its business model to online streaming .
Blockbuster customers gradually stopped renting DVDs .
Today , Netflix ’ s revenues are over $ 20 billion .
Blockbuster has only one store left in the world — Bend , Ore. — a nostalgic symbol of the age of DVDs .
These are just a fewexamples of enormous missed opportunities .
Lessons can be learned by small-business owners from these big mistakes .
For example , many business owners launch copycat “ frontal attacks ” at well-established companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torpedoes any chance of success , because small businesses are going after the same customers as the big boys .
The odds of success are low because of the lack of “ critical mass.
” Another mistake is not looking for the next opportunity .
The best opportunities for growth and expansion of a businesses are : • Launching a new product or service instead of trying to compete with well-established competitors .
• Opening new business locations in geographies where competition isn ’ t located .
This strategy offers potential opportunities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprofitable for them to try and cover all geographies .
This strategy was the Walmart approach to market penetration .
• Changing sources of products or materials to new suppliers and/or building new relationships with new distributors can increase profits .
This can often reduce cost of goods sold or shipping costs .
In an era where “ fee shipping ” is almost the “ norm ” and online purchases are ever increasing , cost savings are paramount to business success .
• Acquiring or merging with a competitor .
Cost savings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , expanded customer penetration , marketing/brand power expansion are all benefits of a well-constructed acquisition or merger .
• Looking consistently for new opportunities .
so that you are in tune with changing trends , new demographics and products .
• Taking time to focus and thinking through what ’ s next .
Many missed opportunities are a result of not taking enough time to spot them .
Reexamine your business goals .
Are they the same as they were a year or two to three years ago ?
Review your strategic business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you don ’ t have one .
Remember , no matter how talented you are , you ’ re going to make mistakes just as Western Union , Kodak , HP , Ross Perot and Blockbuster did .
The key is to avoid just a few of the biggest , most important mistakes .
Gary Miller is CEO of GEM Strategy Management , Inc. , a mergers and acquisitions consulting firm that advises small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. Reach Gary at 303.409.7740 or gmiller @ gemstrategymanagement.com .

In school, we were usually given the lesson first and the test afterward. Not so in business. In business we are often given the test first and the lesson afterward. That’s why business is often described as the school of hard knocks. We are all familiar with stories of missed opportunities among today’s largest corporations, which in retrospect would have brought them billions of revenues. Most small businesses, too, will have opportunities that don’t look obvious at the time.
History records some enormous missed opportunities. For example, a British government committee rejected Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb stating “… it is OK for our transatlantic friends … but unworthy of the attention of practical or scientific men.”
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. He wanted to commercialize it by putting it in every American home. He offered the patent to Western Union for $100,000. Western Union’s response was, “Why would any person want to use this ungainly and impractical device when he can send a messenger to the telegraph office and have a clear written message sent to any large city in the U.S.”
Kodak was once the largest film company in the U.S. Then came the digital age. Kodak’s own engineer, Steven Sasson, invented the digital camera. He thought his employer would be thrilled. Instead, Kodak thought the new invention would be a threat to its core business. They suppressed the technology and hoped it would never see the light of day. The digital technology would have brought Kodak shareholders billions of dollars. Instead, the company nearly went out of business.
In the 1970s, Steve Wozniak worked for Hewlett-Packard. He tried to convince his employer to embrace a new home computer that he was building. HP rejected the idea and said, “… people would never use computers at home.” He left HP and joined his friend Steve Jobs to build the first home computer in a garage — Apple I. We all know what happened next.
Remember Ross Perot, founder of Electronic Data Systems? In 1979, Perot met Bill Gates, the founder of his small company, Microsoft. Gates offered Perot a majority interest in his company for $60 million. Perot thought it was too much and passed on the deal, missing one of the greatest financial opportunities in his life.
In 2000, Blockbuster ruled the home entertainment industry. Along came Netflix, a struggling online mail order company in need of cash. Netflix offered to sell its company to Blockbuster for $50 million. Blockbuster’s CEO, John Antioco, thought the offer was ludicrous and laughed Netflix out of the building. Finding the money elsewhere, Netflix changed its business model to online streaming. Blockbuster customers gradually stopped renting DVDs. Today, Netflix’s revenues are over $20 billion. Blockbuster has only one store left in the world — Bend, Ore. — a nostalgic symbol of the age of DVDs.
These are just a fewexamples of enormous missed opportunities. Lessons can be learned by small-business owners from these big mistakes.
For example, many business owners launch copycat “frontal attacks” at well-established companies. More often than not this strategy torpedoes any chance of success, because small businesses are going after the same customers as the big boys. The odds of success are low because of the lack of “critical mass.”
Another mistake is not looking for the next opportunity. The best opportunities for growth and expansion of a businesses are:
Launching a new product or service instead of trying to compete with well-established competitors. Opening new business locations in geographies where competition isn’t located. This strategy offers potential opportunities to gain share over competitors because it is unprofitable for them to try and cover all geographies. This strategy was the Walmart approach to market penetration. Changing sources of products or materials to new suppliers and/or building new relationships with new distributors can increase profits. This can often reduce cost of goods sold or shipping costs. In an era where “fee shipping” is almost the “norm” and online purchases are ever increasing, cost savings are paramount to business success. Acquiring or merging with a competitor. Cost savings, expanded geographic footprints, increased product/service offerings, expanded customer penetration, marketing/brand power expansion are all benefits of a well-constructed acquisition or merger. Looking consistently for new opportunities. so that you are in tune with changing trends, new demographics and products. Taking time to focus and thinking through what’s next. Many missed opportunities are a result of not taking enough time to spot them. Reexamine your business goals. Are they the same as they were a year or two to three years ago? Review your strategic business plan and update it or create one if you don’t have one.
Remember, no matter how talented you are, you’re going to make mistakes just as Western Union, Kodak, HP, Ross Perot and Blockbuster did. The key is to avoid just a few of the biggest, most important mistakes.
Gary Miller is CEO of GEM Strategy Management, Inc., a mergers and acquisitions consulting firm that advises small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. Reach Gary at 303.409.7740 or gmiller@gemstrategymanagement.com.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--Improving Investor Behavior: Fear — acknowledged and avoided

It ’ s that time of year again when pumpkins start appearing on porches and horror movies are on TV .
Halloween is when we indulge in our fear each year .
We welcome it into our homes , knowing the temporary fright is sure to pass and make way for turkey and family get-togethers .
The human psyche is strange , isn ’ t it ?
We run from fear and avoid it most of the year , yet we seek it out on Halloween .
This year , though , feels a little different .
For many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ghouls , but the far more realistic fears are of viruses and politicians .
These fears continue to haunt us , the uncertainty they create doing more to harm our long-term health and happiness than Frankenstein ever could .
What ’ s important to remember is that fear is an emotional reaction and one over which we have control .
We can choose to either ignore and avoid it or welcome it into our homes and lives .
COVID-19 still is , and likely will continue to be , with us for quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact will linger in the minds of consumers and investors .
You don ’ t go through experiences like this and lackadaisically waive them off as an anomaly .
Further clouding the outlook is peoples ’ willingness to receive a vaccine if and when one becomes widely available .
There will be those who either reject the idea of a vaccine altogether or do not trust one so quickly and readily available .
Fear is a powerful and deep emotion .
Frustration will abound as people try to understand how to live , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely .
Additionally , we are in the midst of a hyper-partisan election .
This doesn ’ t seem surprising given the discourse of the past few years .
Yet the weight is palpable , and more Americans indicated in a recent poll that they find it likely that some level of violence will erupt post-election .
Whether founded or not , fear is driving the actions of some and remains front-of-mind for many .
So , it seems like a good time to be scared .
In the markets , this tends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The more uncertain and nervous investors are , the wider the price swings .
But think back to another time it felt right to be scared , perhaps March of this year ?
The markets hit an all-time high on Feb.19 , only to fall some 34 % in 33 days on news that the virus was spreading worldwide .
Yet , by Aug. 18 , the markets had not only recovered , but they also had advanced .
The decline was normal ; what was unprecedented is the speed at which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P 500 has declined about a third , on average , every five years or so since the end of World War II .
In those 75 years , the index has gone from 15 to today ’ s levels of around 3,500 .
The history lesson is declines have not lasted , and the long-term trend of higher valuations has continued .
It is hard to argue with these facts .
It is important to note that since March , the news concerning the virus , economy , and corporate earnings continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from this is twofold : the speed and trajectory of the recovery in market value sometimes mirror the violent decline .
Additionally , the market resumes its advance to new high ground in advance of an “ all clear ” sign .
Even though the picture looks very uncertain , some might call it negative , the markets recover and advance .
If you wait until everything looks good , you ’ ve likely missed the best buying opportunity .
Using a strategy of wait and see , historically , means you miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The most valuable lesson is that markets can not be timed .
No amount of study , economic theory , commentary , or forecasting could have ever prepared us for the dramatic events of the past eight months .
Instead , return to what can be controlled .
Have six months of your spending in an emergency reserve .
Have a long-term plan designed to work through the inevitable fads , temporary market declines , and recoveries that will happen during a lifetime of investing .
This works to remove emotion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as insulation from the unknown .
Over the coming weeks and months , there will be much to fear .
But fear is only a reaction , and we can work to control our reactions .
Like a muscle , every time we choose not to react to fear , we gain a rep , and more reps lead to more strength .
But unlike the exercise , we have another option : simply ignore the fear .
Know that this fear will pass in time , and the only lasting effect will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Steve Booren is the founder of Prosperion Financial Advisors in Greenwood Village .
He is the author of “ Intelligent Investing : Your Guide to a Growing Retirement Income , ” published in March 2019 .

It’s that time of year again when pumpkins start appearing on porches and horror movies are on TV. Halloween is when we indulge in our fear each year. We welcome it into our homes, knowing the temporary fright is sure to pass and make way for turkey and family get-togethers. The human psyche is strange, isn’t it? We run from fear and avoid it most of the year, yet we seek it out on Halloween.
This year, though, feels a little different. For many, the fear is more than ghosts and ghouls, but the far more realistic fears are of viruses and politicians. These fears continue to haunt us, the uncertainty they create doing more to harm our long-term health and happiness than Frankenstein ever could.
What’s important to remember is that fear is an emotional reaction and one over which we have control. We can choose to either ignore and avoid it or welcome it into our homes and lives.
COVID-19 still is, and likely will continue to be, with us for quite some time. The financial and economic impact will linger in the minds of consumers and investors. You don’t go through experiences like this and lackadaisically waive them off as an anomaly. Further clouding the outlook is peoples’ willingness to receive a vaccine if and when one becomes widely available. There will be those who either reject the idea of a vaccine altogether or do not trust one so quickly and readily available. Fear is a powerful and deep emotion. Frustration will abound as people try to understand how to live, work, and engage with one another safely.
Additionally, we are in the midst of a hyper-partisan election. This doesn’t seem surprising given the discourse of the past few years. Yet the weight is palpable, and more Americans indicated in a recent poll that they find it likely that some level of violence will erupt post-election. Whether founded or not, fear is driving the actions of some and remains front-of-mind for many.
So, it seems like a good time to be scared. In the markets, this tends to correlate to increased levels of volatility. The more uncertain and nervous investors are, the wider the price swings. But think back to another time it felt right to be scared, perhaps March of this year? The markets hit an all-time high on Feb.19, only to fall some 34% in 33 days on news that the virus was spreading worldwide. Yet, by Aug. 18, the markets had not only recovered, but they also had advanced.
The decline was normal; what was unprecedented is the speed at which the market fell. The S&P 500 has declined about a third, on average, every five years or so since the end of World War II. In those 75 years, the index has gone from 15 to today’s levels of around 3,500. The history lesson is declines have not lasted, and the long-term trend of higher valuations has continued. It is hard to argue with these facts.
It is important to note that since March, the news concerning the virus, economy, and corporate earnings continued to be negative. What we learn from this is twofold: the speed and trajectory of the recovery in market value sometimes mirror the violent decline. Additionally, the market resumes its advance to new high ground in advance of an “all clear” sign. Even though the picture looks very uncertain, some might call it negative, the markets recover and advance. If you wait until everything looks good, you’ve likely missed the best buying opportunity. Using a strategy of wait and see, historically, means you miss out on much of any price recovery.
The most valuable lesson is that markets cannot be timed.
No amount of study, economic theory, commentary, or forecasting could have ever prepared us for the dramatic events of the past eight months. Instead, return to what can be controlled. Have six months of your spending in an emergency reserve. Have a long-term plan designed to work through the inevitable fads, temporary market declines, and recoveries that will happen during a lifetime of investing. This works to remove emotion and fear from your decision-making. It acts as insulation from the unknown.
Over the coming weeks and months, there will be much to fear. But fear is only a reaction, and we can work to control our reactions. Like a muscle, every time we choose not to react to fear, we gain a rep, and more reps lead to more strength. But unlike the exercise, we have another option: simply ignore the fear. Know that this fear will pass in time, and the only lasting effect will be how you chose to react to it.
Steve Booren is the founder of Prosperion Financial Advisors in Greenwood Village. He is the author of “Intelligent Investing: Your Guide to a Growing Retirement Income,” published in March 2019.


thedenverpost--2020-10-25--RTD’s latest cuts point toward future that favors higher-demand bus routes

Facing the cataclysmic shock of a once-in-a-century pandemic , the Regional Transportation District is in no position to expand service anytime soon .
But that isn ’ t keeping the agency from mulling a reshuffling plan that points to potentially seismic future changes in how — and where — it runs bus lines .
RTD ’ s board this week is poised to approve a new service plan that in January would suspend three regional bus routes with low ridership , including downtown commuter buses to Conifer , Evergreen and several other foothills communities .
RTD also would reduce service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifting drivers to run buses more frequently on two urban routes , along Federal Boulevard and West Colfax Avenue , that are so full under COVID-19 safety protocols that they sometimes turn away riders .
The 16 and 31 routes serve Denver and communities to the north and west , and RTD officials point out that they tend to transport service workers who lack work-from-home options .
There ’ s an obvious tension at the heart of these changes , and it ’ s one RTD and Denver-area transit advocates began probing in-depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue plummeting .
In short : Should RTD prioritize traditional routes that serve more people , at the cost of some far-flung suburban and rural routes that , while attracting loyal riders , serve many fewer of them ?
RTD has hit the pause button on this larger effort , a two-year study called “ Reimagine RTD.
” But its early lessons are evident in the proposed January service changes , which would alter RTD ’ s already reduced pandemic schedules without a net increase in service .
“ I hope this can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out from , ” said Danny Katz , a Reimagine RTD advisory board member who is director of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group .
“ What they ’ re doing now should help inform how they grow the service back up .
I hope that one key priority moving forward is making sure we ’ re putting service where we have the most people ( and ) the most transit dependency , because that ’ s where we ’ re going to get the most bang for our buck.
” RTD cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digits per bus , though some riders told the agency it ’ s been growing lately — on the regional routes proposed for indefinite suspension : the CS/CV route to Pine Junction , the ES/EV route to Evergreen and the GS route between Golden and Boulder .
RTD also would end service on Boulder County ’ s 205 route east of the Lookout Road/Gunpark Drive stop .
While several other bus routes would see service cuts , RTD plans to adjust others ’ schedules to improve their on-time performance .
As for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is working out plans for vanpools and other potential alternatives , an RTD spokesperson said .
Several light rail changes also are in the offing , including reinstatement of the D Line ( and suspension of the C Line ) , more frequent morning trains on most lines and better schedule alignments to allow easier connections at the Broadway station .
RTD ’ s board will take a final vote on the proposed changes during a remote meeting set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday .
Bigger changes likely to invite pushback RTD ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects of pandemic for a while .
Its ridership is still stuck at less than half of normal levels , as many former riders work from home and those who do board buses and trains face mask requirements and reduced capacity limits aimed at accommodating social distancing .
But transit industry observers predict mass transportation will recover .
What if RTD goes big on a fundamental rethink — one that favors different kinds of demand-driven routing over geographic coverage ?
Several scenarios gamed out during the Reimagine process in the spring concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large expansion by refocusing service in three overlapping ways : beefing up more service along major high-frequency corridors , diverting some resources to high-density areas where residents tend to lack cars , and targeting more service to neighborhoods and travel routes that have the highest potential ridership .
But any of those necessarily would shortchange RTD ’ s already sparsely served outer regions , all but guaranteeing pushback .
And RTD ’ s setup poses an inherent challenge .
The agency has the nation ’ s largest urban transit footprint , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles in eight counties .
Voters elect board members to represent 15 districts , and their debates are prone to occasional divisions along territorial lines .
And there ’ s also the matter of the taxpayers who elect those board members .
In its election questionnaires for candidates in RTD ’ s board races , The Denver Post asked for views on the geography vs. demand question .
The range of responses pointed to the likelihood for measured change , at best .
“ It really is a balance because even communities with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” wrote Paul Rosenthal , a former state lawmaker .
He ’ s running unopposed in District E , which covers southeast Denver and nearby suburbs .
The modest changes proposed for January drew pushback in dozens of emails and other complaints sent to RTD , largely from riders who depend on the routes set to lose service .
“ Removing all bus lines to/from the foothills is an unfair way to manage your business issues , ” wrote Randy Bohannon , an information technology consultant who lives in Conifer , near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off an entire section of the metro area , and yes , we are still in the metro area .
Reducing the number ( of buses ) is reasonable , but eliminating is not appropriate.
” Along West Colfax on late Wednesday afternoon , the need for more buses on the 16 route was clear .
A westbound bus leaving the Auraria Campus had riders in roughly one of every two paired seats .
( RTD discourages strangers from sitting side-by-side . )
At the intersection with Wadsworth Boulevard , Denise Sandoval , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward home in west Denver .
She ’ d finished a shift as a sanitation worker at a south suburban Whole Foods store that ’ s off a connecting bus route on Wadsworth .
She ’ s gotten used to schedule changes this year and having to plan extra travel time to work , just in case .
“ It has been crowded , and sometimes it ’ s delayed , ” she said of riding the bus .
“ Sometimes , it comes full — so I don ’ t have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put on the signal : ‘ Sorry , bus full.
’ So you have to wait for another one.
” For now , resource-starved RTD , which is making plans to lay off nearly 500 operators and management employees as it adjusts to pandemic service levels , plans to make better service for riders like Sandoval its priority .
During an Oct. 20 board committee meeting , Jessie Carter , the agency ’ s manager of service planning and scheduling , suggested that between their low ridership and long travel distances , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It just doesn ’ t bode well for mass transit , in that the resources necessary to actually carry that could be used on routes that are actually having capacity problems , ” he said .
“ That was part of the analysis.
” RTD plans to resume the Reimagine study early next year .
Katz , for one , thinks it ’ s the perfect time to establish a new blueprint for how RTD might add different service rather than simply reversing the cuts .
But some board members may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in the committee meeting , a narrow majority amended the January service proposal to make clear that the cuts are intended to be temporary .
Depending on the course of the pandemic , they plan to revisit the decisions by next September , the amendment says , and to invite input from local governments on which services to restore .
It does say the restoration process will consider , among other factors , “ lessons learned in Reimagine RTD.
” But the unmistakable signal that the regional routes might not be dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose District N covers much of Jefferson County — including Conifer and Evergreen .
“ I support this amendment .
… It gives me a little bit of comfort , given what I ’ m facing in my region , ” she said .
“ But I also think , given the volatility of our situation , it ’ s important to make sure that we can revisit this in a more timely fashion .
”

Facing the cataclysmic shock of a once-in-a-century pandemic, the Regional Transportation District is in no position to expand service anytime soon. But that isn’t keeping the agency from mulling a reshuffling plan that points to potentially seismic future changes in how — and where — it runs bus lines.
RTD’s board this week is poised to approve a new service plan that in January would suspend three regional bus routes with low ridership, including downtown commuter buses to Conifer, Evergreen and several other foothills communities.
RTD also would reduce service on other bus lines — all while shifting drivers to run buses more frequently on two urban routes, along Federal Boulevard and West Colfax Avenue, that are so full under COVID-19 safety protocols that they sometimes turn away riders. The 16 and 31 routes serve Denver and communities to the north and west, and RTD officials point out that they tend to transport service workers who lack work-from-home options.
There’s an obvious tension at the heart of these changes, and it’s one RTD and Denver-area transit advocates began probing in-depth before the coronavirus pandemic sent ridership and revenue plummeting.
In short: Should RTD prioritize traditional routes that serve more people, at the cost of some far-flung suburban and rural routes that, while attracting loyal riders, serve many fewer of them?
RTD has hit the pause button on this larger effort, a two-year study called “Reimagine RTD.” But its early lessons are evident in the proposed January service changes, which would alter RTD’s already reduced pandemic schedules without a net increase in service.
“I hope this can be a model for us to build out from,” said Danny Katz, a Reimagine RTD advisory board member who is director of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group. “What they’re doing now should help inform how they grow the service back up. I hope that one key priority moving forward is making sure we’re putting service where we have the most people (and) the most transit dependency, because that’s where we’re going to get the most bang for our buck.”
RTD cited low ridership — often in the single digits per bus, though some riders told the agency it’s been growing lately — on the regional routes proposed for indefinite suspension: the CS/CV route to Pine Junction, the ES/EV route to Evergreen and the GS route between Golden and Boulder. RTD also would end service on Boulder County’s 205 route east of the Lookout Road/Gunpark Drive stop.
While several other bus routes would see service cuts, RTD plans to adjust others’ schedules to improve their on-time performance. As for the spurned regional riders, a partner program is working out plans for vanpools and other potential alternatives, an RTD spokesperson said.
Several light rail changes also are in the offing, including reinstatement of the D Line (and suspension of the C Line), more frequent morning trains on most lines and better schedule alignments to allow easier connections at the Broadway station.
RTD’s board will take a final vote on the proposed changes during a remote meeting set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Bigger changes likely to invite pushback
RTD’s budget is likely to be mired in the effects of pandemic for a while. Its ridership is still stuck at less than half of normal levels, as many former riders work from home and those who do board buses and trains face mask requirements and reduced capacity limits aimed at accommodating social distancing.
But transit industry observers predict mass transportation will recover. What if RTD goes big on a fundamental rethink — one that favors different kinds of demand-driven routing over geographic coverage?
Several scenarios gamed out during the Reimagine process in the spring concluded that RTD could grow its ridership without a large expansion by refocusing service in three overlapping ways: beefing up more service along major high-frequency corridors, diverting some resources to high-density areas where residents tend to lack cars, and targeting more service to neighborhoods and travel routes that have the highest potential ridership.
But any of those necessarily would shortchange RTD’s already sparsely served outer regions, all but guaranteeing pushback. And RTD’s setup poses an inherent challenge.
The agency has one of the nation’s largest urban transit footprints, with a service area that covers 2,342 square miles in eight counties. Voters elect board members to represent 15 districts, and their debates are prone to occasional divisions along territorial lines.
And there’s also the matter of the taxpayers who elect those board members.
In its election questionnaires for candidates in RTD’s board races, The Denver Post asked for views on the geography vs. demand question. The range of responses pointed to the likelihood for measured change, at best.
“It really is a balance because even communities with less density pay into the system,” wrote Paul Rosenthal, a former state lawmaker. He’s running unopposed in District E, which covers southeast Denver and nearby suburbs.
The modest changes proposed for January drew pushback in dozens of emails and other complaints sent to RTD, largely from riders who depend on the routes set to lose service.
“Removing all bus lines to/from the foothills is an unfair way to manage your business issues,” wrote Randy Bohannon, an information technology consultant who lives in Conifer, near the CS/CV route. “You are cutting off an entire section of the metro area, and yes, we are still in the metro area. Reducing the number (of buses) is reasonable, but eliminating is not appropriate.”
Favoring high-ridership routes
Along West Colfax on late Wednesday afternoon, the need for more buses on the 16 route was clear. A westbound bus leaving the Auraria Campus had riders in roughly one of every two paired seats. (RTD discourages strangers from sitting side-by-side.)
At the intersection with Wadsworth Boulevard, Denise Sandoval, 24, waited for an eastbound bus toward home in west Denver. She’d finished a shift as a sanitation worker at a south suburban Whole Foods store that’s off a connecting bus route on Wadsworth.
She’s gotten used to schedule changes this year and having to plan extra travel time to work, just in case.
“It has been crowded, and sometimes it’s delayed,” she said of riding the bus. “Sometimes, it comes full — so I don’t have a chance to take the ride. They put on the signal: ‘Sorry, bus full.’ So you have to wait for another one.”
For now, resource-starved RTD, which is making plans to lay off nearly 500 operators and management employees as it adjusts to pandemic service levels, plans to make better service for riders like Sandoval its priority.
During an Oct. 20 board committee meeting, Jessie Carter, the agency’s manager of service planning and scheduling, suggested that between their low ridership and long travel distances, the targeted regional routes were simply too wasteful.
“It just doesn’t bode well for mass transit, in that the resources necessary to actually carry that could be used on routes that are actually having capacity problems,” he said. “That was part of the analysis.”
RTD plans to resume the Reimagine study early next year. Katz, for one, thinks it’s the perfect time to establish a new blueprint for how RTD might add different service rather than simply reversing the cuts.
But some board members may have other ideas.
On an 8-7 vote in the committee meeting, a narrow majority amended the January service proposal to make clear that the cuts are intended to be temporary. Depending on the course of the pandemic, they plan to revisit the decisions by next September, the amendment says, and to invite input from local governments on which services to restore. It does say the restoration process will consider, among other factors, “lessons learned in Reimagine RTD.”
But the unmistakable signal that the regional routes might not be dead was welcomed by Director Peggy Catlin, whose District N covers much of Jefferson County — including Conifer and Evergreen.
“I support this amendment. … It gives me a little bit of comfort, given what I’m facing in my region,” she said. “But I also think, given the volatility of our situation, it’s important to make sure that we can revisit this in a more timely fashion.”