thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Suncor Energy oil refinery north of Denver emits burst of “clay-like” air pollution

An equipment failure at Suncor Energy ’ s oil refinery north of Denver on Tuesday led to a burst of opaque pollution that triggered a company “ vapor release alarm , ” prompting operators to shut down a problem unit and monitor emissions in surrounding neighborhoods .
This happened around 5:40 p.m. , according to a notice sent to Adams County emergency officials — less than two weeks after state health officials hailed a negotiated settlement with Suncor as an opportunity to “ reset ” a pattern of pollution problems .
Suncor ’ s notice said Tuesday ’ s clouds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material , but did not specify possible toxic chemicals in the mix .
Suncor blocked off Brighton Boulevard temporarily as crews shut down malfunctioning air blowers .
Adams County Commissioner Steve O ’ Dorisio , who lives just more than 2 miles from the refinery and drove to the scene , raised concerns that Suncor did not provide crucial facts .
“ I ’ m concerned that the information doesn ’ t say the severity or how people should respond .
We don ’ t know if people were placed at risk or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this incident .
We need more information .
We need information people can use to determine if they should take any action , ” O ’ Dorisio said .
“ As a member of the community and as a leader , I am concerned that I still don ’ t know how to respond when I get this type of information that really doesn ’ t tell us anything.
” The smoky emissions rising from stacks Tuesday evening marked the latest in a series of recent incidents at the refinery , located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Equipment failures led to similar operational upsets on Dec. 11 and on Nov. 27 , according to company statements .
Refinery workers were moved to a safe area .
State air pollution control officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said they were aware of the equipment failure and were monitoring the refinery Tuesday night .
Typically , CDPHE air officials respond by reviewing air-monitoring data collected at state-run pollution monitoring stations near the refinery .
“ The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is closely monitoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct a follow-up investigation .
Suncor shut down the failing unit , and state officials do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the community , ” agency spokesman Andrew Bare said in a written statement .
“ At 6:05 p.m. tonight , employees at the Suncor refinery in Commerce City notified CDPHE that one of the Suncor air blowers failed .
Air blowers keep air and catalyst circulating .
This failure resulted in highly visible opacity emissions , ” Bare ’ s statement said .
“ Suncor security personnel conducted monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materials , including hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide , and observed no elevated levels .
We will monitor the situation and review data from the air monitors we have placed around the Suncor refinery.
” The Suncor oil refinery ranks among the state ’ s largest polluters , emitting more than 800,000 tons a year of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and other pollutants , including sulfur dioxide , hydrogen sulfide , ozone-forming volatile organic compounds , nitrogen oxides and particulates , according to state and federal data .
The state sets limits for how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an air pollution permit .
Canada-based Suncor has had problems for years despite investing heavily to keep the refinery running .
Earlier this month , state public health officials announced a negotiated $ 9 million settlement with Suncor requiring the company to pay administrative penalties and embark on projects — to resolve state complaints about multiple air-pollution incidents since 2017 at the refinery .
Suncor must pay $ 1 million in penalties to the state and another $ 426,705 for other penalties to the state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called an “ historic ” settlement for a single facility .
An additional $ 2.6 million must be paid to fund community environmental projects , state officials said .
The Denver Post last year reported that Suncor refinery operators broke a 12.8-ton limit for hydrogen cyanide , an invisible toxic gas that at high concentrations can be deadly .
Neither Suncor nor state health officials alerted nearby residents or county emergency managers after a test detected the elevated hydrogen cyanide emissions .
On Tuesday night , the Colorado Latino Forum , representing north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , issued a statement of concern lamenting “ yet another incident at Suncor ” and “ a tepid response by Suncor.
” Community members “ are left with questions , ” said the statement by forum co-chair Ean Tafoya .
“ Until samples are collected and analyzed by CDPHE , we won ’ t be certain that no harmful chemicals were released … With the COVID-19 response , are we certain that CDPHE staff are available and prepared for a response ?
Is anyone hurt ?
… How are they notifying the surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan ?
We have been pushing to build a plan by and for the people with Suncor and all the necessary government agencies .
The community deserves a better plan and CLF is committed to ensuring its creation .
”

An equipment failure at Suncor Energy’s oil refinery north of Denver led to a burst of opaque yellow and hydrogen sulfide pollution Tuesday, triggering a company “vapor release alarm” and prompting operators to shut down a unit and monitor emissions in surrounding neighborhoods.
This happened less than two weeks after Colorado health officials announced a negotiated legal settlement with Suncor for previous violations — an agreement that officials hailed as an opportunity to “reset” a pattern of pollution problems at the refinery.
On Wednesday, state air pollution control officials said they’re investigating this latest incident for possible future penalties and called for a complete report from Suncor within 30 days. And state regulators are counting on remedies laid out in the settlement, such as a requirement that Suncor hire a third-party consultant to determine root causes of repeated equipment failures at the refinery, said Andrew Bare, spokesman for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division.
Suncor sent air pollution officials a notice saying initial company investigations detected “excess opacity from one of the fluidized catalytic cracking units and excess hydrogen sulfide from one of the plant flares,” Bare said.
Hydrogen sulfide can be deadly. But state officials have reviewed some of their own data from state-run monitoring stations and found that pollutant concentrations were well below National Ambient Air Quality Standard limits.
Highly visible yellow clouds billowed out from the refinery starting around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, spreading mostly “clay-like” catalyst material. Suncor crews blocked off Brighton Boulevard temporarily as they shut down malfunctioning equipment.
A Suncor statement posted on social media after the incident said: “All employees are accounted for and community air monitoring is in place.”
Thick, yellow smoke is billowing from the refinery complex in Commerce City. Curiosity slowing on 270. #cotraffic @KOAColorado pic.twitter.com/oCFbFFBiNJ — John Morrissey (@KOAJetcopter) March 17, 2020
Adams County Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio, who lives slightly more than 2 miles from the refinery and drove to the scene, raised concerns that Suncor did not provide crucial facts in an initial notice to county emergency managers.
“I’m concerned that the information doesn’t say the severity or how people should respond. We don’t know if people were placed at risk or need to do anything as a result of this incident. We need more information. We need information people can use to determine if they should take any action,” O’Dorisio said.
“As a member of the community and as a leader, I am concerned that I still don’t know how to respond when I get this type of information that really doesn’t tell us anything.”
The smoky emissions this week marked the latest in a series of incidents at the refinery, in Commerce City, just north of Denver. Equipment failures led to similar operational upsets Dec. 11 and Nov. 27, according to CDPHE and company statements. Refinery workers were moved to safe zones.
State air pollution control officials said they were aware of the equipment failure within an hour of the incident and were monitoring the refinery Tuesday night. Typically, CDPHE air officials respond by reviewing air-monitoring data collected at state-run pollution monitoring stations placed around the refinery.
Suncor shut down the failing unit and notified state officials at 6:05 p.m. that one of its air blowers failed. “State officials do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the community,” Bare said in a statement Tuesday night. “Air blowers keep air and catalyst circulating. This failure resulted in highly visible opacity emissions.”
Inside the plant, Suncor crews used handheld devices to measure various materials, including hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.
“We know that the air blower in one of the refinery’s fluidized catalytic cracking units failed. We do not know yet why it failed,” Bare said Wednesday night in a statement that referred to Colorado’s legal settlement provisions requiring a third-party investigation of problems.
“We expect that the refinery will be a more compliant facility once these and other provisions of the settlement are put in place. We will also be investigating this incident thoroughly to determine lawful and appropriate steps to provide accountability and address root causes.”
The Suncor oil refinery ranks among the state’s largest polluters, emitting more than 800,000 tons a year of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and other pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone-forming volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and particulates, according to state and federal data.
The state sets limits for how much Suncor can emit that are listed in an air pollution permit. Canada-based Suncor has had problems for years despite investing heavily to keep the refinery running.
This month, state public health officials announced the negotiated settlement with Suncor that also requires the company to pay administrative penalties and embark on projects — to resolve state complaints about multiple air-pollution incidents between 2017 and 2019 at the refinery. Suncor must pay $1 million in penalties to the state and an additional $426,705 for other penalties to the state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state officials said in announcing what they called an “historic” settlement for a single facility. An additional $2.6 million must be paid to fund community environmental projects, state officials said.
The Denver Post last year reported that Suncor refinery operators broke a 12.8-ton limit for hydrogen cyanide, an invisible toxic gas that at high concentrations can be deadly. Neither Suncor nor state health officials alerted nearby residents or county emergency managers after a test detected the elevated hydrogen cyanide emissions.
The Colorado Latino Forum, representing north Denver and other residents near the refinery, issued a statement of concern lamenting “yet another incident at Suncor” and “a tepid response by Suncor.”
Community members “are left with questions,” said the statement by forum co-chair Ean Tafoya.
“Until samples are collected and analyzed by CDPHE, we won’t be certain that no harmful chemicals were released … With the COVID-19 response, are we certain that CDPHE staff are available and prepared for a response? Is anyone hurt? … How are they notifying the surrounding community? A siren and an executed plan? We have been pushing to build a plan by and for the people with Suncor and all the necessary government agencies. The community deserves a better plan and CLF is committed to ensuring its creation.”
A Suncor social media update on Wednesday noted that “this is the same unit that experienced an issue on December 11, 2019, during start-up.” Suncor officials wrote that, after the December incident, “we committed to do better. Clearly, yesterday is not an example of doing better, and we have more work to do.”
Suncor tested air inside and downwind of the refinery. “The data has not shown any readings of concern,” the statement said.
“This was a serious event and we are giving it our full attention. We have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the air blower trip. We need to understand this information prior to a safe re-start.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Broncos agree to terms with quarterback Jeff Driskel, source says

The Broncos ’ search for a backup quarterback ended late Tuesday when the team agreed to terms with Jeff Driskel @ @ @ @ @ .
Driskel , who turns 27 next month , has played in 12 career games @ @ @ @ @ Cincinnati and Detroit .
Once Driskel signs , it will officially make Joe Flacco expendable @ @ @ @ @ the last half of 2019 with a neck injury , is expected to be released @ @ @ @ @ .
Driskel ( 6-foot-4/235 pounds ) will join starter Drew Lock and reserve Brett Rypien @ @ @ @ @ contract .
Driskel started his college career at Florida ( 23 touchdowns/20 interceptions ) and @ @ @ @ @ Tech ( 27 touchdowns/eight interceptions ) .
He was a sixth-round pick by San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ by the Bengals .
In 2018 , Driskel went 1-4 as the starter , including @ @ @ @ @ Broncos ( 236 yards ) .
He was 0-3 as the Lions ’ starter last @ @ @ @ @ ) .

The Broncos’ search for a backup quarterback ended late Tuesday when the team agreed to terms with Jeff Driskel, according to a source.
Driskel, who turns 27 next month, has played in 12 career games (five starts) for Cincinnati and Detroit.
Once Driskel signs, it will officially make Joe Flacco expendable. Flacco, who missed the last half of 2019 with a neck injury, is expected to be released once he is medically cleared.
Driskel (6-foot-4/235 pounds) will join starter Drew Lock and reserve Brett Rypien as the Broncos quarterbacks under contract.
Driskel started his college career at Florida (23 touchdowns/20 interceptions) and finished in 2015 at Louisiana Tech (27 touchdowns/eight interceptions). He was a sixth-round pick by San Francisco, but waived and acquired by the Bengals.
In 2018, Driskel went 1-4 as the starter, including a 24-10 loss to the Broncos (236 yards). He was 0-3 as the Lions’ starter last year (four touchdowns/four interceptions).


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Aurora police officer cited for suspected DUI after crashing into tree

An Aurora police officer was cited early Tuesday morning for allegedly drunk driving and crashing into a tree in a Colorado Springs neighborhood .
Officer Jaired Dozier was injured in the crash and transported to a hospital , according to a Colorado Springs police blotter .
A doorbell camera captured Dozier ’ s car speeding about 1:23 a.m. before it crashed head-on into a tree head .
Colorado Springs Police spokesman Lt. Jim Sokolik said there is no arrest photo of Dozier because he was not booked into the jail .
Sokolik said he didn ’ t know what Dozier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time of the crash .
Sokolik said Dozier told officers that he was a police officer as well .
“ He let us know he ’ s an Aurora officer , ” Sokolik said .
Dozier was hired by the Aurora Police Department in February of 2019 and has been put on restricted duty as a result of the citation , Aurora police spokesman Officer Matthew Longshore said .
Dozier was not on duty at the time of the incident and an internal affairs investigation has begun , Longshore said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Aurora police handled the case of an officer found passed out drunk in his car while on duty .
The officer , Nate Meier , never faced criminal charges in the case because Aurora police never investigated the incident as a crime .
Meier was demoted and suspended , but kept his job .
Another Aurora police officer , Annette Brook , pleaded guilty in January to DUI and was sentenced to home detention and probation .

An Aurora police officer was cited early Tuesday morning for allegedly drunk driving and crashing into a tree in a Colorado Springs neighborhood.
Officer Jaired Dozier was injured in the crash and transported to a hospital, according to a Colorado Springs police blotter. A doorbell camera captured Dozier’s car speeding about 1:23 a.m. before it crashed head-on into a tree head.
Colorado Springs Police spokesman Lt. Jim Sokolik said there is no arrest photo of Dozier because he was not booked into the jail. Sokolik said he didn’t know what Dozier’s blood alcohol content was at the time of the crash. Sokolik said Dozier told officers that he was a police officer as well.
“He let us know he’s an Aurora officer,” Sokolik said.
Dozier was hired by the Aurora Police Department in February of 2019 and has been put on restricted duty as a result of the citation, Aurora police spokesman Officer Matthew Longshore said. Dozier was not on duty at the time of the incident and an internal affairs investigation has begun, Longshore said.
The DUI arrest follows a months-long controversy surrounding how Aurora police handled the case of an officer found passed out drunk in his car while on duty. The officer, Nate Meier, never faced criminal charges in the case because Aurora police never investigated the incident as a crime. Meier was demoted and suspended, but kept his job.
Another Aurora police officer, Annette Brook, pleaded guilty in January to DUI and was sentenced to home detention and probation.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--PHOTOS: Jefferson County Public School students begin remote learning

Eight-year-old and gymnast Allie Vanderploeg , left , a 2nd grader in Jeffco Public Schools , works with her brother @ @ @ @ @ center , in 7th grade , and her sister , Maddie , 11 , in @ @ @ @ @ home during the first day of online learning on March 17 , 2020 in Lakewood @ @ @ @ @ a remote learning and work plan where teachers , students , and staff will educate @ @ @ @ @ online programs for an unknown period due to COVID-19 .

RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Eight-year-old and gymnast Allie Vanderploeg, left, a 2nd grader in Jeffco Public Schools, works with her brother, Kaden, 13, center, in 7th grade, and her sister, Maddie, 11, in 5th grade, at their home during the first day of online learning on March 17, 2020 in Lakewood. Jeffco Public Schools implemented a remote learning and work plan where teachers, students, and staff will educate and learn from home with online programs for an unknown period due to COVID-19.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Denver restaurants lay off employees by the hundreds following coronavirus bar, restaurant shutdown

Across some of Denver ’ s most beloved gathering places on Tuesday , the effects of a citywide , eight-week-long restaurant and bar closure were swift and devastating — and the shutdown has only been in place for one day .
Following Mayor Michael Hancock ’ s Monday announcement that all businesses would halt dine-in service in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus , some restaurateurs laid off their entire staff , and many are unsure if they ’ ll have a business for workers to return to when this is over .
Ninety-one employees received an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Punch Bowl Social in Stapleton .
More than 100 workers were left without jobs at Union Station ’ s Mercantile and its sister restaurant , Fruition .
The Frasca family of four Denver and Boulder restaurants laid off 205 people .
Restaurateur Bryan Dayton did the same for around 200 workers between his Boulder and Denver restaurants .
And at Jennifer Jasinski ’ s five Crafted Concepts , 238 people lost their positions .
While Big Red F restaurants haven ’ t held layoffs , the company has eliminated or dramatically reduced hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative .
That ’ s more than 1,400 workers at just six restaurant groups in the city .
“ We ’ re hearing from restaurateurs around the state that they ’ re having to cut all or most of their staff and in many cases , dramatically reduce hours for those they can keep on , ” Sonia Riggs , CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association , said over email .
“ It ’ s hollowing out the industry.
” The larger restaurant industry in Colorado accounts for more than 294,000 jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 10 % of statewide employment .
By 10 a.m. Tuesday , the state received about 6,800 attempted unemployment insurance filings .
“ The thing is it happened so fast , so quick , you just don ’ t know how to navigate something like this , ” said Bryan Dayton of Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality .
“ It ’ s not like some big corporation , either .
This is a small community.
” Dayton ’ s decade-old restaurant group operates two locations in Denver ( Acorn and Brider ) and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fourteenth ) .
He said that even offering takeout and delivery , which he ’ s doing in order to stay afloat during the shutdown , would only account for a few jobs salvaged .
“ It ’ s absolutely sickening , to be honest with you , ” he said .
“ There ’ s just no pathway at this point .
We ’ ve had to let everybody go except for upper management … Holy s*** , and that ’ s just us .
I think you ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallout in the next four to eight weeks , for sure … I think emotional and mental health is going to be the next phase of this , and obviously if people are hungry and financially ( suffering ) … .
” Despite the immediate financial blowback , restaurateurs aren ’ t pushing to reopen .
Right now , Bobby Stuckey said he doesn ’ t even want a handful of people working in the same space together across his four Denver and Boulder locations .
“ The governor did the exact right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ Now all of D.C. , both sides of the aisle need to get insurance companies in the room… This is just a tragedy.
” As owners like Stuckey and Dayton looked over their insurance policies with lawyers leading up to Monday ’ s announcement , they realized they had little or no options .
Stuckey discovered that infectious diseases aren ’ t included in coverage for “ business interruption ” because no direct physical loss has occurred at his building .
“ No one would be getting laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did what I paid for , ” he said .
“ This is just horrific.
” Cheyenne Langis , 24 , is a chef at one of Stuckey ’ s restaurants , Tavernetta .
She and her team heard news of the shutdown on Monday , their last day of service for the next two months .
Now , she ’ s hoping for government intervention .
“ I just think without that , I don ’ t know if we have a fighting chance , ” she said .
“ I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know that we are struggling and it ’ s terrible .
Walking outside the past few days , I just see people in unbuttoned restaurant and bar uniforms .
Every hour they ’ re getting laid off .
And I was , too.
” On the same day she filed for unemployment , Langis started thinking about possibilities to keep working and feeding people — a pop-up food pickup service with a fellow chef , for example .
“ Who knows when we ’ re going to get ( unemployment checks ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to boost positivity during the hard times we ’ re going through.
” Riggs , with the Colorado Restaurant Association , said she expects to see a relief package focused on aid for employees pass through Congress in the next 24 hours .
“ After that , congressional focus will turn to relief for impacted businesses , ” she added .
The CRA is also working with state and local governments to come up with other ways to help restaurant businesses and workers .
In other cities , relief has come sooner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax collection for 90 days , asking the state and federal governments to do the same for its businesses .
By Tuesday evening , a petition on change.org asking Gov .
Jared Polis “ to announce a COVID-19 relief package ” for the food and beverage industry had 13,998 signatures .
The One Fair Wage campaign had launched an emergency fund to support service workers across the country .
The Colorado Restaurant Association is updating a list of resources for local businesses and employees on its website .
As he traveled through Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , Alex Seidel — who owns Denver restaurants Mercantile , Fruition , Chook and Fudmill — said he was doubtful of government aid but sure that , for his 100 or so laid-off employees , “ we aren ’ t going to let anybody slip through the cracks.
” “ I mean , I ’ m not really banking on any relief at this point .
It ’ s hard to fathom that , we ’ re kind of low on the totem pole , ” he said , adding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the next two weeks .
I ’ m really worried about weeks four through eight for our team , and really trying to be thoughtful about it , so we can be there for those weeks.
” In addition to thinking about providing insurance for 80 percent of his staff , making meals for them over the next two months and other solutions , he ’ s considering what ’ s at stake for the food system , for farms and other purveyors .
“ Products are going to get scarce , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to hunker down , take a little bit of a two-month hiatus , live a little bit more conservatively , try to help each other where we can help each other .
”

Across some of Denver’s most beloved gathering places on Tuesday, the effects of a citywide, eight-week-long restaurant and bar closure were swift and devastating — and the shutdown has only been in place for one day.
Following Mayor Michael Hancock’s Monday announcement that all businesses would halt dine-in service in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus, some restaurateurs laid off their entire staff, and many are unsure if they’ll have a business for workers to return to when this is over.
Ninety-one employees received an email that they were laid off immediately from Punch Bowl Social in Stapleton. More than 100 workers were left without jobs at Union Station’s Mercantile and its sister restaurant, Fruition.
The Frasca family of four Denver and Boulder restaurants laid off 205 people. Restaurateur Bryan Dayton did the same for around 200 workers between his Boulder and Denver restaurants. And at Jennifer Jasinski’s five Crafted Concepts, 238 people lost their positions.
While Big Red F restaurants haven’t held layoffs, the company has eliminated or dramatically reduced hours for 611 workers, according to a representative.
That’s more than 1,400 workers at just six restaurant groups in the city.
“We’re hearing from restaurateurs around the state that they’re having to cut all or most of their staff and in many cases, dramatically reduce hours for those they can keep on,” Sonia Riggs, CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association, said over email. “It’s hollowing out the industry.”
The larger restaurant industry in Colorado accounts for more than 294,000 jobs, according to the Colorado Restaurant Association, or 10% of statewide employment. By 10 a.m. Tuesday, the state received about 6,800 attempted unemployment insurance filings.
“The thing is it happened so fast, so quick, you just don’t know how to navigate something like this,” said Bryan Dayton of Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality. “It’s not like some big corporation, either. This is a small community.”
Dayton’s decade-old restaurant group operates two locations in Denver (Acorn and Brider) and two in Boulder (Corrida and Oak at Fourteenth). He said that even offering takeout and delivery, which he’s doing in order to stay afloat during the shutdown, would only account for a few jobs salvaged.
“It’s absolutely sickening, to be honest with you,” he said. “There’s just no pathway at this point. We’ve had to let everybody go except for upper management … Holy s***, and that’s just us. I think you’re going to see a lot of (business) fallout in the next four to eight weeks, for sure … I think emotional and mental health is going to be the next phase of this, and obviously if people are hungry and financially (suffering)… .”
Despite the immediate financial blowback, restaurateurs aren’t pushing to reopen. Right now, Bobby Stuckey said he doesn’t even want a handful of people working in the same space together across his four Denver and Boulder locations.
“The governor did the exact right thing, and Mayor Hancock,” he said. “Now all of D.C., both sides of the aisle need to get insurance companies in the room… This is just a tragedy.”
As owners like Stuckey and Dayton looked over their insurance policies with lawyers leading up to Monday’s announcement, they realized they had little or no options. Stuckey discovered that infectious diseases aren’t included in coverage for “business interruption” because no direct physical loss has occurred at his building.
“No one would be getting laid off if the insurance I dutifully paid for did what I paid for,” he said. “This is just horrific.”
Cheyenne Langis, 24, is a chef at one of Stuckey’s restaurants, Tavernetta. She and her team heard news of the shutdown on Monday, their last day of service for the next two months. Now, she’s hoping for government intervention.
“I just think without that, I don’t know if we have a fighting chance,” she said. “I feel positive … but I do want people to know that we are struggling and it’s terrible. Walking outside the past few days, I just see people in unbuttoned restaurant and bar uniforms. Every hour they’re getting laid off. And I was, too.”
On the same day she filed for unemployment, Langis started thinking about possibilities to keep working and feeding people — a pop-up food pickup service with a fellow chef, for example.
“Who knows when we’re going to get (unemployment checks),” she said. “I want to boost positivity during the hard times we’re going through.”
Riggs, with the Colorado Restaurant Association, said she expects to see a relief package focused on aid for employees pass through Congress in the next 24 hours. “After that, congressional focus will turn to relief for impacted businesses,” she added.
The CRA is also working with state and local governments to come up with other ways to help restaurant businesses and workers. In other cities, relief has come sooner: Charleston, S.C. has suspended hospitality tax collection for 90 days, asking the state and federal governments to do the same for its businesses.
By Tuesday evening, a petition on change.org asking Gov. Jared Polis “to announce a COVID-19 relief package” for the food and beverage industry had 13,998 signatures. The One Fair Wage campaign had launched an emergency fund to support service workers across the country. The Colorado Restaurant Association is updating a list of resources for local businesses and employees on its website.
As he traveled through Union Station from one empty restaurant to another on Tuesday, Alex Seidel — who owns Denver restaurants Mercantile, Fruition, Chook and Fudmill — said he was doubtful of government aid but sure that, for his 100 or so laid-off employees, “we aren’t going to let anybody slip through the cracks.”
“I mean, I’m not really banking on any relief at this point. It’s hard to fathom that, we’re kind of low on the totem pole,” he said, adding, “I’m not so worried about the next two weeks. I’m really worried about weeks four through eight for our team, and really trying to be thoughtful about it, so we can be there for those weeks.”
In addition to thinking about providing insurance for 80 percent of his staff, making meals for them over the next two months and other solutions, he’s considering what’s at stake for the food system, for farms and other purveyors.
“Products are going to get scarce,” he said. “We all just have to hunker down, take a little bit of a two-month hiatus, live a little bit more conservatively, try to help each other where we can help each other.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Broncos lose center Connor McGovern (Jets), will be trading fullback Andy Janovich (Browns)

The Broncos will enter Wednesday ’ s 2 p.m. start of the signing/trading season without a starting center and barely any defensive linemen .
Connor McGovern , who had started the last 23 games at center dating to 2018 , agreed to terms on a three-year , $ 27 million contract with the New York Jets .
Houston Texans nose tackle D.J .
Reader , pursued by the Broncos and offered a contract , opted to join the Cincinnati Bengals ( four years , $ 53 million , according to his agency ) .
It is believed the Broncos are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several defensive linemen .
And wrapping up the day , the Broncos put a deal in place with the Cleveland Browns to trade fullback Andy Janovich for a 2021 seventh-round pick .
A skeleton staff of about 10 employees , led by general manager John Elway and coach Vic Fangio , have worked at the Broncos ’ facility this week , with the rest of the coaching and personnel staffs working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Broncos ’ offensive line work began Monday with the team agreeing to terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play right guard .
Now they are searching for their third center in three years .
According to NFL Network , McGovern ’ s contract includes $ 18 million guaranteed .
He was the first free-agent center to leave the market .
“ Couldn ’ t be more excited to be a Jet , ” McGovern tweeted .
“ Excited for big things to come.
” At last month ’ s scouting combine , Elway said he intended to talk to McGovern ’ s agent , Tom Condon , about McGovern re-signing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos ’ offer was far off from the Jets ’ deal , perhaps by several million dollars per year .
The short-term contract will allow McGovern to hit the market again in March 2023 , a month before he turns 30 .
He started the final seven games of 2018 after Matt Paradis suffered a broken ankle and played all 1,025 snaps in 2019 .
According to The Denver Post ’ s game charting , McGovern was booked for only 2 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 total “ disruptions ” ( sacks/knockdowns/pressures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad ” run plays ( gain of 1 or less yards , not including short-yardage/goal-line ) but was not called for an enforced penalty .
Glasgow has 26 career starts at center , but the Broncos ’ preference may be to add a player in the draft to play between Glasgow and second-year left guard Dalton Risner .
An in-house option is Patrick Morris , acquired off Pittsburgh ’ s practice squad late last season .
The Broncos also have five picks in the first three rounds of the draft and could address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s departure is directly related to the arrival of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur .
Last year , then-coordinator Rich Scangarello had the fullback as a regular part of his offense .
But Shurmur won ’ t use a fullback as often .
Janovich , 26 , was a sixth-round pick by the Broncos in 2016 and developed into a fan favorite .
He played in 50 games , rushing 13 times for 51 yards and catching 22 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown .
He also played 868 special-teams snaps .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the blocks .
He suffered a pectoral injury in an August preseason game at Seattle , which kept him out of the first three regular-season games .
Janovich played seven regular-season games but suffered a dislocated elbow in the Nov. 17 loss to Minnesota and was put on injured reserve .
He played only 130 offensive snaps .
A month before his injury , Janovich signed a three-year contract worth $ 5.7 million ( $ 2.5 million guaranteed ) .
The trade will create $ 568,750 in salary cap space ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , per Over The Cap ) .
Andrew Beck , a part-time tight end/part-time fullback last year , is the only player on the roster with fullback experience .
Beck played 230 offensive snaps .
The Broncos ’ unofficial additions are Glasgow and Jacksonville cornerback A.J .
Bouye ( who will be acquired for a fourth-round pick ) .

The Broncos will enter Wednesday’s 2 p.m. start of the signing/trading season without a starting center and barely any defensive linemen.
Connor McGovern, who had started the last 23 games at center dating to 2018, agreed to terms on a three-year, $27 million contract with the New York Jets.
Houston Texans nose tackle D.J. Reader, pursued by the Broncos and offered a contract, opted to join the Cincinnati Bengals (four years, $53 million, according to his agency). It is believed the Broncos are still reaching out to the representation of several defensive linemen.
And wrapping up the day, the Broncos put a deal in place with the Cleveland Browns to trade fullback Andy Janovich for a 2021 seventh-round pick.
A skeleton staff of about 10 employees, led by general manager John Elway and coach Vic Fangio, have worked at the Broncos’ facility this week, with the rest of the coaching and personnel staffs working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Broncos’ offensive line work began Monday with the team agreeing to terms with the Detroit Lions’ Graham Glasgow to play right guard. Now they are searching for their third center in three years.
According to NFL Network, McGovern’s contract includes $18 million guaranteed. He was the first free-agent center to leave the market.
“Couldn’t be more excited to be a Jet,” McGovern tweeted. “Excited for big things to come.”
At last month’s scouting combine, Elway said he intended to talk to McGovern’s agent, Tom Condon, about McGovern re-signing with the Broncos. But indications are the Broncos’ offer was far off from the Jets’ deal, perhaps by several million dollars per year.
The short-term contract will allow McGovern to hit the market again in March 2023, a month before he turns 30. He started the final seven games of 2018 after Matt Paradis suffered a broken ankle and played all 1,025 snaps in 2019.
According to The Denver Post’s game charting, McGovern was booked for only 2 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 total “disruptions” (sacks/knockdowns/pressures). He had 14 1/2 “bad” run plays (gain of 1 or less yards, not including short-yardage/goal-line) but was not called for an enforced penalty.
Glasgow has 26 career starts at center, but the Broncos’ preference may be to add a player in the draft to play between Glasgow and second-year left guard Dalton Risner.
An in-house option is Patrick Morris, acquired off Pittsburgh’s practice squad late last season. The Broncos also have five picks in the first three rounds of the draft and could address the center position next month.
Janovich’s departure is directly related to the arrival of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.
Last year, then-coordinator Rich Scangarello had the fullback as a regular part of his offense. But Shurmur won’t use a fullback as often.
Janovich, 26, was a sixth-round pick by the Broncos in 2016 and developed into a fan favorite. He played in 50 games, rushing 13 times for 51 yards and catching 22 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown. He also played 868 special-teams snaps.
Janovich’s 2019 season never got out of the blocks. He suffered a pectoral injury in an August preseason game at Seattle, which kept him out of the first three regular-season games.
Janovich played seven regular-season games but suffered a dislocated elbow in the Nov. 17 loss to Minnesota and was put on injured reserve. He played only 130 offensive snaps.
A month before his injury, Janovich signed a three-year contract worth $5.7 million ($2.5 million guaranteed). The trade will create $568,750 in salary cap space ($1,012,500 in “dead” space, per Over The Cap).
Andrew Beck, a part-time tight end/part-time fullback last year, is the only player on the roster with fullback experience. Beck played 230 offensive snaps.
The Broncos’ unofficial additions are Glasgow and Jacksonville cornerback A.J. Bouye (who will be acquired for a fourth-round pick).


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--ICE immigration arrests continuing in Denver despite coronavirus outbreak

ICE says immigration arrests will continue in Denver despite the coronavirus outbreak — and an immigration attorney confirms at least two have occurred over the past week .
A local spokeswoman for the agency referred The Denver Post to guidance posted on ICE ’ s site , which states : “ While our law enforcement officers and agents continue daily enforcement operations to make criminal and civil arrests , prioritizing individuals who threaten our national security and public safety , we remain committed to the health and safety of our employees and the general public.
” At least two recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed .
One was in southwest Denver , near Lincoln High School , on Friday , according to Noah Stout , an attorney who works for the 15-campus local charter school network DSST .
The other took place in the Swansea neighborhood Monday , Stout said , adding that the detainee in that case was on her way to pick up her children .
The kids later found their mother ’ s car on the street and learned from a neighbor what had happened .
Stout , who said he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said both were taken to the Aurora immigration detention facility run by the private prison company GEO .
Ten people are quarantined at that facility for possible exposure to the coronavirus .
Advocates slammed ICE for continuing normal operations during the public health crisis .
“ It is reckless and extremely dangerous for ICE to be out there conducting hands-on arrests of people and then putting them in detention in what is a crowded facility that is just ripe for a disastrous outbreak , ” said Arash Jahanian of the Meyer Law Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jahanian added that past allegations of medical neglect inside GEO underscore his concern .
“ What ICE should do is let people out on ankle monitors instead of increasing the population of the detention center , ” he said .
Early in this coronavirus pandemic , attorneys at the Meyer Law Office have continued to receive reports of immigrants getting arrested by ICE , including on Monday outside the Denver courthouse .
Jahanian and attorney Hans Meyer worked this year with state Sen. Julie Gonzales , D-Denver , on a bill that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests of people on courthouse property or going to or from courthouses .
The bill passed both chambers of the legislature and was submitted to the governor for his signature Tuesday , Gonzales said .
Immigration activists expect the governor ’ s support , though he has not said publicly whether he ’ ll sign it .

ICE says immigration arrests will continue in Denver despite the coronavirus outbreak — and an immigration attorney confirms at least two have occurred over the past week.
A local spokeswoman for the agency referred The Denver Post to guidance posted on ICE’s site, which states: “While our law enforcement officers and agents continue daily enforcement operations to make criminal and civil arrests, prioritizing individuals who threaten our national security and public safety, we remain committed to the health and safety of our employees and the general public.”
At least two recent ICE arrests of Denver Public Schools parents have been confirmed.
One was in southwest Denver, near Lincoln High School, on Friday, according to Noah Stout, an attorney who works for the 15-campus local charter school network DSST.
The other took place in the Swansea neighborhood Monday, Stout said, adding that the detainee in that case was on her way to pick up her children. The kids later found their mother’s car on the street and learned from a neighbor what had happened.
Stout, who said he has spoken with the detainees’ families, said both were taken to the Aurora immigration detention facility run by the private prison company GEO. Ten people are quarantined at that facility for possible exposure to the coronavirus.
Advocates slammed ICE for continuing normal operations during the public health crisis.
“It is reckless and extremely dangerous for ICE to be out there conducting hands-on arrests of people and then putting them in detention in what is a crowded facility that is just ripe for a disastrous outbreak,” said Arash Jahanian of the Meyer Law Office, which handles local immigration cases.
Jahanian added that past allegations of medical neglect inside GEO underscore his concern.
“What ICE should do is let people out on ankle monitors instead of increasing the population of the detention center,” he said.
Early in this coronavirus pandemic, attorneys at the Meyer Law Office have continued to receive reports of immigrants getting arrested by ICE, and agents were seen Monday outside the Denver courthouse.
Jahanian and attorney Hans Meyer worked this year with state Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, on a bill that would prevent ICE agents from conducting civil immigration arrests of people on courthouse property or going to or from courthouses.
The bill passed both chambers of the legislature and was submitted to the governor for his signature Tuesday, Gonzales said. Immigration activists expect the governor’s support, though he has not said publicly whether he’ll sign it.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Tom Brady to sign with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to reports

Get used to seeing Tom Brady in pewter .
The future Hall of Fame quarterback is set to sign with @ @ @ @ @ according to multiple reports .
Brady tweeted that he would be parting ways with the @ @ @ @ @ , ending a 20-year partnership with Bill Belichick that produced six Super Bowl trophies , @ @ @ @ @ AFC East titles .
In Tampa , he would join second-year coach Bruce Arians , @ @ @ @ @ a 7-9 record with Jameis Winston under center last season .
Prior to that , @ @ @ @ @ as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals with two playoff appearances and 9-3 as interim @ @ @ @ @ in 2012 .
The Bucs were third in the NFL in both yards ( 6,366 @ @ @ @ @ 449 ) last season .
That included a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Chris Godwin @ @ @ @ @ Evans ( 1,157 ) .
Both are still under contract with Tampa .

Get used to seeing Tom Brady in pewter.
The future Hall of Fame quarterback is set to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple reports.
Brady tweeted that he would be parting ways with the New England Patriots Tuesday morning, ending a 20-year partnership with Bill Belichick that produced six Super Bowl trophies, 219 regular-season wins and 17 AFC East titles.
In Tampa, he would join second-year coach Bruce Arians, who guided the Bucs to a 7-9 record with Jameis Winston under center last season. Prior to that, the offensive-minded coach was 49-30-1 as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals with two playoff appearances and 9-3 as interim coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2012.
The Bucs were third in the NFL in both yards (6,366) and points scored (449) last season. That included a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Chris Godwin (1,333) and Mike Evans (1,157). Both are still under contract with Tampa.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--PHOTOS: Looking back at the 1918 flu pandemic in Colorado

The 2020 coronavirus outbreak isn ’ t the first time a pandemic has hit Colorado .
The flu of 1918 @ @ @ @ @ Spanish Flu , hit the state particularly hard .
It ’ s estimated that the @ @ @ @ @ 8,000 Coloradans .
The poorly named Spanish Flu is thought to have started in Kansas @ @ @ @ @ which put the Centennial State near ground zero .
Although it ’ s important to @ @ @ @ @ not a strain of influenza , similar strategies were used to help flight the flu @ @ @ @ @ schools and banned events with large numbers of people .
Colorado Historic Newspapers has some @ @ @ @ @ hewspapers were reporting it at the time .
Click here for more photos of the @ @ @ @ @ .

The 2020 coronavirus outbreak isn’t the first time a pandemic has hit Colorado. The flu of 1918, also known as the Spanish Flu, hit the state particularly hard. It’s estimated that the 1918 flu killed an estimated 8,000 Coloradans. The poorly named Spanish Flu is thought to have started in Kansas near the Colorado border, which put the Centennial State near ground zero.
Although it’s important to note that the coronavirus is not a strain of influenza, similar strategies were used to help flight the flu pandemic. Colorado shut down schools and banned events with large numbers of people. Colorado Historic Newspapers has some great audio recordings about how hewspapers were reporting it at the time.
Click here for more photos of the Spanish flu across the country.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Southern Poverty Law Center says number of anti-LGBTQ groups are growing in U.S., with four in Color

Southern Poverty Law Center says number of anti-LGBTQ groups are growing in U.S., with four in Colorado

The number of hate groups in Colorado tripled in eight years , according to an annual report on hate and extremism in America .
The Southern Poverty Law Center found 22 hate groups in Colorado in 2019 , up from seven identified in the organization ’ s original 2012 report .
The state ’ s hate groups include anti-LGBT , anti-immigrant , black separatists , white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups .
Some groups are statewide , such as the general hate group Proud Boys , while others have specific locations such as the Sea Jay Foundation , an anti-Muslim group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern Poverty Law Center identified 940 hate groups operating , a decline from 1,020 in 2018 , which was an all-time high in the report ’ s history .
The drop was attributed to the collapse of two main factions of neo-Nazi groups , according to the Montgomery , Alabama-based law center .
However , the United States saw in 2019 growth among groups are against lesbian , gay and transgender people .
In Colorado , four such groups were identified , including the Family Research Institute in Colorado Springs .
Paul Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his organization ’ s goal is to make homosexuality illegal again , Cameron said .
The research institute blames multiple societal issues on gay people .
“ That ’ s why the Southern Poverty Law Center thinks we ’ re evil , ” Cameron said .
“ They regard this as hate speech .
But we think it ’ s just the opposite , that people should be discouraged.
” Nationally , there were 70 anti-LGBTQ groups on the list .
Critics have accused the law center of using overly broad criteria to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some groups on the list have unsuccessfully sued the law center over the designation .
But the law center defends its work .
“ Make no mistake , we have a crisis of hate and extremism in our country , ” said SPLC spokesperson Lecia Brooks .
“ And the toxic ideas propagated by these hate groups not only lead to violence but erode the very foundations of our democracy.
” The Colorado groups identified in 2019 are : • The Pray in Jesus Name Project ( Colorado Springs ) • New Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) The Associated Press contributed to this report .

The number of hate groups in Colorado tripled in eight years, according to an annual report on hate and extremism in America.
The Southern Poverty Law Center found 22 hate groups in Colorado in 2019, up from seven identified in the organization’s original 2012 report. The state’s hate groups include anti-LGBT, anti-immigrant, black separatists, white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups. Some groups are statewide, such as the general hate group Proud Boys, while others have specific locations such as the Sea Jay Foundation, an anti-Muslim group in Highlands Ranch.
Nationally, the Southern Poverty Law Center identified 940 hate groups operating, a decline from 1,020 in 2018, which was an all-time high in the report’s history. The drop was attributed to the collapse of two main factions of neo-Nazi groups, according to the Montgomery, Alabama-based law center.
However, the United States saw in 2019 growth among groups are against lesbian, gay and transgender people. In Colorado, four such groups were identified, including the Family Research Institute in Colorado Springs.
Paul Cameron, Family Research Institute chairman, said his organization’s goal is to make homosexuality illegal again, Cameron said. The research institute blames multiple societal issues on gay people.
“That’s why the Southern Poverty Law Center thinks we’re evil,” Cameron said. “They regard this as hate speech. But we think it’s just the opposite, that people should be discouraged.”
Nationally, there were 70 anti-LGBTQ groups on the list.
Critics have accused the law center of using overly broad criteria to compile its list of hate groups. Some groups on the list have unsuccessfully sued the law center over the designation.
But the law center defends its work.
“Make no mistake, we have a crisis of hate and extremism in our country,” said SPLC spokesperson Lecia Brooks. “And the toxic ideas propagated by these hate groups not only lead to violence but erode the very foundations of our democracy.”
The Colorado groups identified in 2019 are:
Scriptures for America Worldwide Ministries (LaPorte)
American Identity Movement (Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver)
MSR Productions (Wheat Ridge)
Nation of Islam (Aurora)
Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform (Lakewood)
Sea Jay Foundation (Highlands Ranch)
Generations (Elizabeth)
Family Research Institute (Colorado Springs)
The Pray in Jesus Name Project (Colorado Springs)
Northern Kingdom Prophets (Pueblo)
Act for America (Walsenburg)
Asatru Folk Assembly (statewide)
Israel United in Christ (Denver)
New Black Panther Party for Self Defense (Denver)
Patriot Front (statewide)
Atomwaffen Division (statewide)
Great Millstone (Denver)
Mass Resistance (Denver)
Proud Boys (statewide)
The Right Stuff (statewide)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Colorado’s coronavirus count rises to 216 with confirmation of 33 new cases

Colorado health officials on Wednesday announced 33 more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus , with six more patients being hospitalized , bringing to 216 the number of total cases statewide .
More than 2,300 people have now been tested , according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , even as officials acknowledge the number of positive cases is likely far higher than their numbers indicate .
A total of 26 people are hospitalized , and two people have died in the state .
Denver ’ s 33 positive cases represent the most in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pitkin counties have significantly higher per-capita rates , state data shows .
Twenty of the state ’ s 64 counties now have at least one case , while the overall COVID-19 positive rate is 3.8 cases per 100,000 people .
Testing thus far has not been able to keep pace with the number of people reporting symptoms , state health officials have acknowledged .
Eagle County health officials said in a news release Wednesday they expect to see hundreds , if not thousands , of cases in the mountain community .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Eagle County , and instituted an order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people as they urged people to stay home .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Colorado health officials on Wednesday announced 33 more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, with six more patients being hospitalized, bringing to 216 the number of total cases statewide.
More than 2,300 people have now been tested, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, even as officials acknowledge the number of positive cases is likely far higher than their numbers indicate. A total of 26 people are hospitalized, and two people have died in the state.
Denver’s 33 positive cases represent the most in a Colorado county, but Eagle, Gunnison and Pitkin counties have significantly higher per-capita rates, state data shows. Twenty of the state’s 64 counties now have at least one case, while the overall COVID-19 positive rate is 3.8 cases per 100,000 people.
Testing thus far has not been able to keep pace with the number of people reporting symptoms, state health officials have acknowledged.
Eagle County health officials said in a news release Wednesday they expect to see hundreds, if not thousands, of cases in the mountain community. Officials recommended that visitors and tourists stay away from Eagle County, and instituted an order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people as they urged people to stay home.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--One Colorado restaurant’s staff received a $750 tip ahead of the shutdown

On the last night of dinner service , before Jim Edwards had to shut down his Loveland restaurant Door 222 for a month and lay off a staff of 40 , he saw a lot of regulars walk through his doors .
They came to show their support , said they would be around over the next month to order takeout , that they ’ d come back in 30 days to sit in the restaurant , and then they tipped generously before leaving .
One couple — who Edwards didn ’ t recall seeing before Monday — came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They paid their $ 11.74 tab and added on $ 750 in gratuity , telling the staff as they left to share it .
“ And nobody even knew really who they were , ” Edwards said .
“ But everybody who was at work that night got $ 50- $ 100 extra.
” As restaurants around Colorado close their dining rooms for 30 days — eight weeks in Denver — and lay off workers in the hundreds , their situations start to sound dire .
And they are .
While no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and employees are looking for on a large scale , they say individual gestures matter .
Yesterday from Summit County , Alan Blado posted a message to Silverthorne and Idaho Springs ’ respective community Facebook pages .
He had pre-paid for 40 meals from a pair of family-owned restaurants in each town , and he told community members they could go and get them for no cost , while taking precautions and practicing social distancing .
“ To call the restaurant owners , you could just hear the stress in their voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if people are hungry… this gives them a chance to have some tasty food , not just rice and beans.
” Blado owns Liquid Descent Rafting , but started his career as a stockbroker .
As the pandemic started to set in over the weekend , he said he was looking through Facebook , frustrated and thinking about his summer employees and all those service industry workers , like the tenants in his rental properties .
“ It just kind of hit me , ” he said , “ maybe we can start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday and told them not to worry about rent and utilities for the next few months , he said .
A couple of them had been laid off from their jobs already .
Then he received a call from one of his landlords for the rafting business , who told him not worry about rent for a while , either .
“ I think we ’ re just realizing that we are in this situation and we need to do our best to stick together and stay positive , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just bombarded with all this negativity , you can forget that and get discouraged.
” Blado said he hopes to spread the love during this time and maybe pick a new set of local restaurants to support next week .
“ Maybe someone else will do it in a couple days or something , ” he said .
“ You know , we ’ ll just keep it going.
” Subscribe to our new food newsletter , Stuffed , to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox .

On the last night of dinner service, before Jim Edwards had to shut down his Loveland restaurant Door 222 for a month and lay off a staff of 40, he saw a lot of regulars walk through his doors.
They came to show their support, said they would be around over the next month to order takeout, that they’d come back in 30 days to sit in the restaurant, and then they tipped generously before leaving.
One couple — who Edwards didn’t recall seeing before Monday — came in to have a drink at the bar. They paid their $11.74 tab and added on $750 in gratuity, telling the staff as they left to share it.
“And nobody even knew really who they were,” Edwards said. “But everybody who was at work that night got $50-$100 extra.”
As restaurants around Colorado close their dining rooms for 30 days — eight weeks in Denver – and lay off workers in the hundreds, their situations start to sound dire. And they are.
While no single act can match the relief that businesses and employees are looking for on a large scale, they say individual gestures matter.
Yesterday from Summit County, Alan Blado posted a message to Silverthorne and Idaho Springs’ respective community Facebook pages.
He had pre-paid for 40 meals from a pair of family-owned restaurants in each town, and he told community members they could go and get them for no cost, while taking precautions and practicing social distancing.
“To call the restaurant owners, you could just hear the stress in their voices,” he said. “And if people are hungry… this gives them a chance to have some tasty food, not just rice and beans.”
Blado owns Liquid Descent Rafting, but started his career as a stockbroker. As the pandemic started to set in over the weekend, he said he was looking through Facebook, frustrated and thinking about his summer employees and all those service industry workers, like the tenants in his rental properties.
“It just kind of hit me,” he said, “maybe we can start something positive.”
Blado called his tenants on Monday and told them not to worry about rent and utilities for the next few months, he said. A couple of them had been laid off from their jobs already.
Then he received a call from one of his landlords for the rafting business, who told him not worry about rent for a while, either.
“I think we’re just realizing that we are in this situation and we need to do our best to stick together and stay positive,” he said. “Sometimes when we’re just bombarded with all this negativity, you can forget that and get discouraged.”
Blado said he hopes to spread the love during this time and maybe pick a new set of local restaurants to support next week.
“Maybe someone else will do it in a couple days or something,” he said. “You know, we’ll just keep it going.”
Subscribe to our new food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Rockies shut down workouts at Salt River Fields in wake of coronavirus

The Rockies ’ unsettled spring changed again on Wednesday as workouts were halted at the team ’ s Salt River @ @ @ @ @ Ariz. because of the spreading coronavirus .
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community , which @ @ @ @ @ where the Rockies complex sits , ceased operations Wednesday , forcing the shutdown .
A @ @ @ @ @ had been conducting voluntary workouts at Salt River Fields , but those workouts are no @ @ @ @ @ players might choose to come to Denver and work out .
As of now , @ @ @ @ @ players for voluntary workouts , based on guidelines handed out by Major League Baseball .

The Rockies’ unsettled spring changed again on Wednesday as workouts were halted at the team’s Salt River Fields complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. because of the spreading coronavirus.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which owns and operates the land where the Rockies complex sits, ceased operations Wednesday, forcing the shutdown. A number of veteran Rockies players had been conducting voluntary workouts at Salt River Fields, but those workouts are no longer permitted.
Some Rockies players might choose to come to Denver and work out. As of now, Coors Field remains open to players for voluntary workouts, based on guidelines handed out by Major League Baseball.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Cornerback A.J. Bouye excited to showcase skills with Broncos: “I know I can hold my own”

The Broncos needed another lockdown corner , especially with Chris Harris Jr. leaving in free agency .
A.J .
Bouye believes he is that guy .
“ I know I can hold my own out there ( against outside receivers ) , ” Bouye said .
“ I ’ m a physical corner , and I can come up and tackle.
” Denver officially announced Bouye as its first free agent addition on Wednesday , and the veteran cornerback is excited to be a part of the energy — and rise in momentum — of Broncos Country .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bouye said .
“ The atmosphere was one of the things that stood out to me — the fans and the way everything is ran there.
” Bouye , 28 , went undrafted out of Central Florida before proving his chops in four seasons in Houston and then three in Jacksonville .
He was a Pro Bowler in 2017 and has 14 career interceptions along with 315 tackles .
The Broncos traded a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars for Bouye on March 3 , and the deal was finalized Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a deal with the Chargers .
Bouye , currently training at home in Atlanta , has trained in Dallas with Harris in the past .
“ He has some of the best footwork I ’ ve seen , and he has a great work ethic , ” Bouye said .
“ That ’ s something I learned from him early on ( in my career ) .
” As for his own play , Bouye said his instincts and his “ habits and work ethic are going to get me to where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next chapter of his career .
He ’ s also confident about what he can bring to coach Vic Fangio ’ s defensive schemes .
“ ( Fangio ) gives corners opportunities to be aggressive , and then you have aggressive safeties on the back end ( in Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons ) , ” Bouye said .
“ I ’ m good at studying offensive schemes and concepts , and I ’ m always aggressive .
I think that will help a lot , especially when you ’ re playing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Broncos ticket update .
The first payment for Broncos season tickets was due last week and the second is scheduled for June .
In reaction to the coronavirus pandemic , the Broncos ask season ticket holders having “ personal or economic hardships ” to contact the team ’ s ticket office for assistance .
The renewal rate is currently tracking at 93 % , according to the team .
Broncos make donation .
Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis announced the team made a $ 500,000 contribution to the Colorado Covid Relief Fund to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jared Polis announced the fund ’ s creation on Wednesday and said over $ 2.8 million had been raised and funds will be divided into three areas : Prevention , impact and recovery .
Purcell tendered .
The Broncos placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on nose tackle Mike Purcell ( $ 3.26 million ) .
Purcell , a native of Highlands Ranch , became a starter in Week 5 at the Los Angeles Chargers and finished with 48 tackles in 13 games .
Over the final 12 games , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 98.8 yards per game ) , 50.5 fewer yards than in Weeks 1-4 when Purcell was a healthy inactive for three games .
Bausby , Jones expected to return .
Cornerback DeVante Bausby and inside linebacker Joe Jones are expected to sign one-year contracts with the Broncos after they were not tendered as restricted free agents .
Bausby , 27 , earned a starting chance with the Broncos last year , but sustained a season-ending neck injury against the Los Angeles Chargers .
Jones , 26 , will enter his fourth year with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special teams tackles .

The Broncos needed another lockdown corner, especially with Chris Harris leaving in free agency. A.J. Bouye believes he is that guy.
“I know I can hold my own out there (against outside receivers),” Bouye said. “I’m a physical corner, and I can come up and tackle.”
Denver officially announced Bouye as its first free agent addition on Wednesday, and the veteran cornerback is excited to be a part of the energy — and rise in momentum — of Broncos Country.
“I’m looking forward to playing there,” Bouye said. “The atmosphere was one of the things that stood out to me — the fans and the way everything is ran there.”
Bouye, 28, went undrafted out of Central Florida before proving his chops in four seasons in Houston and then three in Jacksonville. He was a Pro Bowler in 2017 and has 14 career interceptions along with 315 tackles.
The Broncos traded a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars for Bouye on March 3, and the deal was finalized Wednesday, the same day that Harris reportedly agreed to a deal with the Chargers.
Bouye, currently training at home in Atlanta, has trained in Dallas with Harris in the past.
“He has some of the best footwork I’ve seen , and he has a great work ethic,” Bouye said. “That’s something I learned from him early on (in my career).”
As for his own play, Bouye said his instincts and his “habits and work ethic are going to get me to where I need to be” in the next chapter of his career.
He’s also confident about what he can bring to coach Vic Fangio’s defensive schemes.
“(Fangio) gives corners opportunities to be aggressive, and then you have aggressive safeties on the back end (in Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons),” Bouye said. “I’m good at studying offensive schemes and concepts, and I’m always aggressive. I think that will help a lot, especially when you’re playing with safeties in the back end like that.”
Broncos ticket update. The first payment for Broncos season tickets was due last week and the second is scheduled for June.
In reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, the Broncos ask season ticket holders having “personal or economic hardships” to contact the team’s ticket office for assistance.
The renewal rate is currently tracking at 93%, according to the team.
Broncos make donation. Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis announced the team made a $500,000 contribution to the Colorado Covid Relief Fund to help people impacted by coronavirus.
Gov. Jared Polis announced the fund’s creation on Wednesday and said over $2.8 million had been raised and funds will be divided into three areas: Prevention, impact and recovery.
Additionally, safety Justin Simmons announced a $10,000 donation to the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s Food Security Fund.
Purcell tendered. The Broncos placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on nose tackle Mike Purcell ($3.26 million).
Purcell, a native of Highlands Ranch, became a starter in Week 5 at the Los Angeles Chargers and finished with 48 tackles in 13 games.
Over the final 12 games, the Broncos were seventh in rush defense (98.8 yards per game), 50.5 fewer yards than in Weeks 1-4 when Purcell was a healthy inactive for three games.
Bausby, Jones expected to return. Cornerback DeVante Bausby and inside linebacker Joe Jones are expected to sign one-year contracts with the Broncos after they were not tendered as restricted free agents.
Bausby, 27, earned a starting chance with the Broncos last year, but sustained a season-ending neck injury against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jones, 26, will enter his fourth year with the Broncos. He has 24 career special teams tackles.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Ken Buck: “It’s just craziness to shut down businesses” due to coronavirus

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck , a Windsor Republican and chair of the Colorado Republican Party , believes the country is panicked and overreacting to the coronavirus outbreak due to a lack of leadership from both major political parties .
“ You don ’ t shut restaurants down for 30 days , ” Buck said in an interview Wednesday , referring to a policy enacted in Colorado and many other states .
“ I have no problem with ( stopping ) sporting events or things that don ’ t impact our civil liberties and don ’ t impact everyday life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can suspend for a period of time .
But it ’ s just craziness to shut down businesses or parts of the economy that are absolutely necessary , ” the congressman added .
Buck says elderly Americans and those with serious health conditions are rightly concerned about the virus and that the government must act swiftly to help them .
But the decision by government officials to shutter stores and restaurants is a panicked overreaction that will do great damage to the nation ’ s economy , he said .
“ We don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was FDR who said , ‘ The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
’ We need leaders to stand up and say we ’ re going to have a measured response , ” said Buck , who is usually a defender of President Donald Trump .
Disruptive as the closures may be , health experts say they ’ re the only way to avoid a situation like Italy ’ s , where hospitals are overloaded and have had to decide who gets access to a ventilator to allow them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two ways to stop an epidemic : Identify and isolate everyone who was exposed , or keep people as far apart as possible to reduce how many others they can infect .
The U.S. doesn ’ t have enough testing kits to identify all of the cases , so social distancing is the only viable option , experts say .
The congressman ’ s remarks come at a time when Congress is considering massive stimulus packages that could top $ 1 trillion .
Buck has voted against two recent coronavirus response bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the government must help those being hurt economically .
He placed some blame on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , a former hedge fund manager and investor .
“ Mnuchin is a creature of Wall Street .
Every piece of legislation that he has been proposing protects the rich on Wall Street , ” Buck said .
“ We need to protect these people who are vulnerable from this disease , and who are put out of work because of the overreaction .
Those are the people who we need to protect.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus .
During a 15-minute phone interview Wednesday , he repeatedly criticized government orders for people to remain inside and away from public places .
“ Over and over again what we are seeing is an overreaction to a very serious situation , and that overreaction is now causing some serious civil liberties issues .
We are telling people they can ’ t go to church .
We are telling people they can ’ t hold political rallies .
We are telling people that , as the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger populations , they can ’ t go to school .
We are in the midst of a panic that is creating irrational responses , ” the congressman said .
Buck represents the Eastern Plains and parts of northern Colorado , including Weld County , where an elderly man died of coronavirus this week .
“ What we have done is turn public policy over to doctors , ” he said .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor Republican and chair of the Colorado Republican Party, believes the country is panicked and overreacting to the coronavirus outbreak due to a lack of leadership from both major political parties.
“You don’t shut restaurants down for 30 days,” Buck said in an interview Wednesday, referring to a policy enacted in Colorado and many other states.
“I have no problem with (stopping) sporting events or things that don’t impact our civil liberties and don’t impact everyday life. Those are things that I think we can suspend for a period of time. But it’s just craziness to shut down businesses or parts of the economy that are absolutely necessary,” the congressman added.
Buck says elderly Americans and those with serious health conditions are rightly concerned about the virus and that the government must act swiftly to help them. But the decision by government officials to shutter stores and restaurants is a panicked overreaction that will do great damage to the nation’s economy, he said.
“We don’t have a leader. It was FDR who said, ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’ We need leaders to stand up and say we’re going to have a measured response,” said Buck, who is usually a defender of President Donald Trump.
Disruptive as the closures may be, health experts say they’re the only way to avoid a situation like Italy’s, where hospitals are overloaded and have had to decide who gets access to a ventilator to allow them to keep breathing.
Broadly speaking, there are two ways to stop an epidemic: Identify and isolate everyone who was exposed, or keep people as far apart as possible to reduce how many others they can infect. The U.S. doesn’t have enough testing kits to identify all of the cases, so social distancing is the only viable option, experts say.
The congressman’s remarks come at a time when Congress is considering massive stimulus packages that could top $1 trillion. Buck has voted against two recent coronavirus response bills, deeming them fiscally irresponsible, but said the government must help those being hurt economically. He placed some blame on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a former hedge fund manager and investor.
“Mnuchin is a creature of Wall Street. Every piece of legislation that he has been proposing protects the rich on Wall Street,” Buck said. “We need to protect these people who are vulnerable from this disease, and who are put out of work because of the overreaction. Those are the people who we need to protect.”
Buck is a civil libertarian and member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. During a 15-minute phone interview Wednesday, he repeatedly criticized government orders for people to remain inside and away from public places.
“Over and over again what we are seeing is an overreaction to a very serious situation, and that overreaction is now causing some serious civil liberties issues. We are telling people they can’t go to church. We are telling people they can’t hold political rallies. We are telling people that, as the result of a disease that is not targeting younger populations, they can’t go to school. We are in the midst of a panic that is creating irrational responses,” the congressman said.
Buck represents the Eastern Plains and parts of northern Colorado, including Weld County, where an elderly man died of coronavirus this week.
“What we have done is turn public policy over to doctors,” he said.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--It’s “increasingly unlikely” Colorado students will return to class this school year, Polis says

It is not likely Colorado students will return to the classroom to carry out the remainder of the academic year in person , Gov .
Jared Polis said during a Wednesday news conference on the latest impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic on the state .
“ While it ’ s possible that schools may return this year , it ’ s increasingly unlikely , ” Polis said during the news conference , also mentioning an emergency childcare program being formed to help the 80,000 workers in essential jobs such as first responders and health care workers who have young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that just because in-person learning is suspended ” that education continues online , Polis added .
The governor has not ordered Colorado ’ s schools to close , but scores of districts across the state have temporarily halted classes in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 , the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus .
The state teacher ’ s union has called on the rest of Colorado ’ s districts to follow suit .
While Jeffco Public Schools embarked on its second day of online learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Schools took their extended spring break to plan for a future of remote learning .
DPS has yet to announce an official end of in-person teaching for the year .
On Monday , Superintendent Susana Cordova said the district was preparing to teach remotely , looking into a number of options including a partnership with public television and utilization of smartphones to try to reach children without access to computers or internet at home .
Lisa Sigler , a parent of two juniors at Denver ’ s South High School , hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
“ I see the toll it ’ s taking on my kids , ” Sigler said .
“ They are very stressed , very bored and need something to do , and walking around the neighborhood with the dogs only goes so far .
I think it would really be better for the kids to be able to focus on something other than Snapchat and people calling this the end of the world and them going on social media and seeing everyone freaking out .
They need to be focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and homework .
… It ’ s not just continuing school , which is very important , but this is about their mental health , as well .
I really don ’ t think we should stop learning because some kids can ’ t connect to the internet.
” DPS ’ s website offers daily schedules and lesson plan ideas for kids at home , separated by grade levels .
The website also connects family to free wifi hosted by Xfinity .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in @ @

It is not likely Colorado students will return to the classroom to carry out the remainder of the academic year in person, Gov. Jared Polis said during a Wednesday news conference on the latest impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic on the state.
“While it’s possible that schools may return this year, it’s increasingly unlikely,” Polis said during the news conference, also mentioning an emergency childcare program being formed to help the 80,000 workers in essential jobs such as first responders and health care workers who have young children.
“We want to make sure that just because in-person learning is suspended” that education continues online, Polis added.
The governor has not ordered Colorado’s schools to close, but scores of districts across the state have temporarily halted classes in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The state teacher’s union has called on the rest of Colorado’s districts to follow suit.
While Jeffco Public Schools embarked on its second day of online learning Wednesday, other districts such as Denver Public Schools took their extended spring break to plan for a future of remote learning.
DPS has yet to announce an official end of in-person teaching for the year. On Monday, Superintendent Susana Cordova said the district was preparing to teach remotely, looking into a number of options including a partnership with public television and utilization of smartphones to try to reach children without access to computers or internet at home.
Lisa Sigler, a parent of two juniors at Denver’s South High School, hoped remote learning would begin sooner rather than later.
“I see the toll it’s taking on my kids,” Sigler said. “They are very stressed, very bored and need something to do, and walking around the neighborhood with the dogs only goes so far. I think it would really be better for the kids to be able to focus on something other than Snapchat and people calling this the end of the world and them going on social media and seeing everyone freaking out. They need to be focused on school and learning and continuing their education and homework. … It’s not just continuing school, which is very important, but this is about their mental health, as well. I really don’t think we should stop learning because some kids can’t connect to the internet.”
DPS’s website offers daily schedules and lesson plan ideas for kids at home, separated by grade levels. The website also connects family to free wifi hosted by Xfinity.
Staff Writer Alex Burness contributed to this report.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Meet the new Broncos: A.J. Bouye, Graham Glasgow, Jurrell Casey and Jeff Driskel

The NFL free agency season is upon us and the Broncos have wasted no time making moves .
Here ’ s a closer look at newcomers to Denver ’ s roster .
About : The only move that became official Wednesday ( the other deals are still subject to physicals ) , Denver traded away a fourth-round pick to Jacksonville for Bouye .
In 93 career games ( 62 starts ) , Bouye has 14 interceptions .
He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and will wear No .
21 in Denver .
Why he makes sense for Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside receivers , which answers one of Denver ’ s questions at the cornerback position as Chris Harris Jr. is headed to the Chargers .
About : Glasgow was Denver ’ s first free-agent addition this week when he agreed to a four-year , $ 44 million deal on Monday , including $ 26 million guaranteed .
He started 47 of the Lions ’ 48 games over the last three seasons , displaying versatility at center , left guard and right guard .
Why he makes sense for Broncos : Glasgow is projected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos declined to pick up Ron Leary ’ s option .
He ’ ll provide a veteran presence for what will be a young offensive line protecting quarterback Drew Lock , especially with the departure of center Connor McGovern to the Jets in free agency .
• Cornerback A.J .
Bouye excited to showcase skills with Broncos : “ I know I can hold my own ” • Connor McGovern ’ s Broncos tenure ends as center agrees to three-year deal with Jets About : In what amounts to a salary dump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-time Pro Bowler as the first step to re-shaping the defensive line that ’ s likely to see the departures of Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris in free agency .
Why he makes sense for Broncos : Casey has proved durable , playing in 139 games over the past nine seasons while never playing less than 14 games in a single year .
He has 493 tackles and 51 sacks in that span , and will provide Denver with interior defensive production .
About : Driskel entered the league as a sixth-round pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rookie season in Cincinnati .
He has made eight NFL starts and played in a dozen games , with a passer rating of 79.6 .
Why he makes sense for Broncos : Behind starter Drew Lock , the Florida native gives the Broncos a backup quarterback option alongside Brett Rypien .
The signing also is the final indication that Denver will cut Joe Flacco .

The NFL free agency season is upon us and the Broncos have wasted no time making moves. Here’s a closer look at newcomers to Denver’s roster.
A.J. Bouye
Age: 28
Position: Cornerback
Height/weight: 6-0, 191
Previous team: Jaguars
College: Central Florida
About: The only move that became official Wednesday (the other deals are still subject to physicals), Denver traded away a fourth-round pick to Jacksonville for Bouye. In 93 career games (62 starts), Bouye has 14 interceptions. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and will wear No. 21 in Denver.
Why he makes sense for Broncos: Bouye provides a veteran presence covering outside receivers, which answers one of Denver’s questions at the cornerback position as Chris Harris Jr. is headed to the Chargers.
Graham Glasgow
Age: 27
Position: Right guard
Height/weight: 6-6, 310
Previous team: Lions
College: Michigan
About: Glasgow was Denver’s first free-agent addition this week when he agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal on Monday, including $26 million guaranteed. He started 47 of the Lions’ 48 games over the last three seasons, displaying versatility at center, left guard and right guard.
Why he makes sense for Broncos: Glasgow is projected to be the starting right guard after the Broncos declined to pick up Ron Leary’s option. He’ll provide a veteran presence for what will be a young offensive line protecting quarterback Drew Lock, especially with the departure of center Connor McGovern to the Jets in free agency.
Jurrell Casey
Age: 30
Position: Defensive tackle
Height/weight: 6-1, 305
Previous team: Titans
College: Southern California
About: In what amounts to a salary dump for Tennessee, the Broncos get a five-time Pro Bowler as the first step to re-shaping the defensive line that’s likely to see the departures of Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris in free agency.
Why he makes sense for Broncos: Casey has proved durable, playing in 139 games over the past nine seasons while never playing less than 14 games in a single year. He has 493 tackles and 51 sacks in that span, and will provide Denver with interior defensive production.
Jeff Driskel
Age: 26
Position: QB
Height/weight: 6-4, 235
Previous team: Lions
College: Florida/Louisiana Tech
About: Driskel entered the league as a sixth-round pick with San Francisco, but played his rookie season in Cincinnati. He has made eight NFL starts and played in a dozen games, with a passer rating of 79.6.
Why he makes sense for Broncos: Behind starter Drew Lock, the Florida native gives the Broncos a backup quarterback option alongside Brett Rypien. The signing also is the final indication that Denver will cut Joe Flacco.


thedenverpost--2020-03-18--Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden, who circled moon, dies at 88

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. — Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden , who circled the moon alone in 1971 while his two crewmates test-drove the first lunar rover , died Wednesday at age 88 .
His family said he died in his sleep in Houston .
No cause of death was given .
“ Al was an American hero whose achievements in space and on Earth will never be forgotten , ” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement .
He also praised Worden for his appearances on “ Mister Rogers ’ Neighborhood ” to explain his moon mission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1971 along with David Scott and Jim Irwin .
As command module pilot , Worden remained in lunar orbit aboard the Endeavour while Scott and Irwin descended to the surface and tried out NASA ’ s first moon buggy .
Scott is one of four moonwalkers still alive .
Irwin died in 1991 .
“ ‘ Line of Grey , Be Thou at Peace !
’ Godspeed Al , ” tweeted Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin , borrowing from their West Point alma mater .
Once his moonwalking crewmates were back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first deep-space spacewalk — nearly 200,000 miles ( 322,000 kilometers ) from Earth .
He inspected the service module ’ s science instrument bay and retrieved film .
His foray outside lasted just 38 minutes .
Worden said of the mission : “ Now I know why I ’ m here .
Not for a closer look at the Moon , but to look back at our home , the Earth.
” Apollo 15 was Worden ’ s only spaceflight .
He was in NASA ’ s fifth astronaut class , chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1975 and went to work for a few aerospace companies .
Of the 24 men who flew to the moon from 1968 through 1972 , only 11 are still alive .
Born and raised on a farm in Jackson , Michigan , Worden graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point , New York , in 1955 and was commissioned in the Air Force .
He attended test pilot school .
“ As I was growing up , aviation was not really something that was foremost in my mind , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for NASA .
“ From the age of 12 on , I basically ran the farm , did all the field work , milked the cows , did all that until I left for college.
” While in the Air Force , “ I began to realize that flying was kind of my game .
It was a thing that I was very attuned to.
” Going to the moon was “ like flying an airplane , ” Worden said in the NASA oral history .
“ It ’ s a skill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It takes some analytical ability if something goes wrong , but outside of that it ’ s like driving a car.
” Working as a senior aerospace scientist at NASA ’ s Ames Research Center in Mountain View , California , after the flight was more intellectually stimulating , he noted .
In his 2011 book “ Falling to Earth : An Apollo 15 Astronaut ’ s Journey to the Moon , ” Worden wrote that NASA was leery about young children watching a rocket launch and so he called Fred Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three , ended up doing a special show .
” It was so outside of what most astronauts did , many thought I was crazy .
Astronauts liked to think they were super jocks who hunted , fished , drank , and chased girls .
We didn ’ t do kiddies ’ shows.
” A list of children ’ s questions eventually led to Worden ’ s 1974 book for children “ I Want to Know about a Flight to the Moon.
” After returning from the moon , all three Apollo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a few hundred stamped postal covers that flew with them to the moon .
The astronauts planned to sell them to help pay for their children ’ s education , Worden said in the NASA oral history .
Worden said he assumed the stamped covers were on the official flight manifest , but wasn ’ t sure now that they ever were .
All this resulted in “ quite a flap.
” None of the three ever flew in space again .
He blamed NASA management .
“ Some senator or some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caved under right away and tried to get rid of us , ” he said in the oral history .
“ Nobody stood up for us .
Nobody.
” Worden sued the U.S. government in 1983 and got his covers back .
“ We probably didn ’ t do the smartest thing in the world , but we didn ’ t do anything that was illegal , ” he said .
“ We didn ’ t do anything that anybody else hadn ’ t done , but the consequences were rather severe to @ @ @

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden, who circled the moon alone in 1971 while his two crewmates test-drove the first lunar rover, died Wednesday at age 88.
His family said he died in his sleep in Houston. No cause of death was given.
“Al was an American hero whose achievements in space and on Earth will never be forgotten,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement. He also praised Worden for his appearances on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” to explain his moon mission to children.
Worden flew to the moon in 1971 along with David Scott and Jim Irwin. As command module pilot, Worden remained in lunar orbit aboard the Endeavour while Scott and Irwin descended to the surface and tried out NASA’s first moon buggy.
Scott is one of four moonwalkers still alive. Irwin died in 1991.
“‘Line of Grey, Be Thou at Peace!’ Godspeed Al,” tweeted Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, borrowing from their West Point alma mater.
Once his moonwalking crewmates were back on board and headed home, Worden performed the first deep-space spacewalk — nearly 200,000 miles (322,000 kilometers) from Earth. He inspected the service module’s science instrument bay and retrieved film. His foray outside lasted just 38 minutes.
Worden said of the mission: “Now I know why I’m here. Not for a closer look at the Moon, but to look back at our home, the Earth.”
Apollo 15 was Worden’s only spaceflight. He was in NASA’s fifth astronaut class, chosen in 1966. He retired from NASA in 1975 and went to work for a few aerospace companies.
Of the 24 men who flew to the moon from 1968 through 1972, only 11 are still alive.
Born and raised on a farm in Jackson, Michigan, Worden graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1955 and was commissioned in the Air Force. He attended test pilot school.
“As I was growing up, aviation was not really something that was foremost in my mind,” Worden said in a 2000 oral history for NASA. “From the age of 12 on, I basically ran the farm, did all the field work, milked the cows, did all that until I left for college.”
While in the Air Force, “I began to realize that flying was kind of my game. It was a thing that I was very attuned to.”
Going to the moon was “like flying an airplane,” Worden said in the NASA oral history. “It’s a skill that you learn. It takes some knowledge. It takes some analytical ability if something goes wrong, but outside of that it’s like driving a car.”
Working as a senior aerospace scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, after the flight was more intellectually stimulating, he noted.
In his 2011 book “Falling to Earth: An Apollo 15 Astronaut’s Journey to the Moon,” Worden wrote that NASA was leery about young children watching a rocket launch and so he called Fred Rogers in Pittsburgh. Worden, the father of three, ended up doing a special show.
”It was so outside of what most astronauts did, many thought I was crazy. Astronauts liked to think they were super jocks who hunted, fished, drank, and chased girls. We didn’t do kiddies’ shows.”
A list of children’s questions eventually led to Worden’s 1974 book for children “I Want to Know about a Flight to the Moon.”
After returning from the moon, all three Apollo 15 astronauts became embroiled in a controversy over a few hundred stamped postal covers that flew with them to the moon. The astronauts planned to sell them to help pay for their children’s education, Worden said in the NASA oral history.
Worden said he assumed the stamped covers were on the official flight manifest, but wasn’t sure now that they ever were. All this resulted in “quite a flap.”
None of the three ever flew in space again. He blamed NASA management.
“Some senator or some congressman asked the question, and they caved under right away and tried to get rid of us,” he said in the oral history. “Nobody stood up for us. Nobody.”
Worden sued the U.S. government in 1983 and got his covers back.
“We probably didn’t do the smartest thing in the world, but we didn’t do anything that was illegal,” he said. “We didn’t do anything that anybody else hadn’t done, but the consequences were rather severe to us.”