thedenverpost--2020-10-16--James Thomas’ collapsing effort propels Broomfield into state cross country meet: “I’ve never seen a

James Thomas’ collapsing effort propels Broomfield into state cross country meet: “I’ve never seen a kid run that hard”

James Thomas collapsed from exhaustion nearing the finish line when the Broomfield cross country runner mustered all of his strength for one last kick .
“ I got to the 100-meter mark and my legs kind of just gave out , ” said Thomas , who was running in third at his Class 5A regional last week , with the fourth-place finisher closing in .
“ I fell and I could hear everyone behind me cheering .
So , I got up , took a couple more steps , looked at the finish line , and just dove .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept thinking : ‘ Every place counts .
I can ’ t let anyone beat me to get the boys to state.
’ ” Thomas ’ dramatic plunge secured his third-place finish and kept the Eagles soaring into the postseason .
“ I ’ ve never seen a kid run that hard , ” Broomfield cross country coach Greg Weich said .
“ It was really gratifying to have that effort not wasted .
All the other boys ran perfectly to qualify .
It was amazing.
” The state high school boys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado Springs at the Norris-Penrose Events Center .
Few teams are so grateful for a shot at a team title as Broomfield , whose top runner pushed himself to the brink — and overcame a subsequent health scare .
Thomas will compete Saturday , but for several nervous hours after regionals , his running future appeared to be in jeopardy .
“ I ’ ve never felt anything like that before , ” Thomas said .
“ It was 10 minutes after the race and I ’ m still lying in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard and I could barely see anything .
That ’ s when I knew that it was probably bad.
” Thomas ’ mother , Brooke Smith , brought her son to a nearby hospital for IV-fluids that lifted his spirits .
But a concerning EKG and bloodwork results led doctors to suggest Thomas be immediately transferred to Children ’ s Hospital for an ultrasound on his heart .
They needed to rule out any related long-term health concerns .
“ He was nervous , for sure , because there was that window of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it too much , ” Smith said .
“ What if the doctor came back with … ‘ You ’ re done running.
’ ” After nearly 10 hours between two hospitals , though , Thomas was finally released with a clean bill of health .
He ran at practice the next day .
Thomas said an extremely fast start at regionals and low salt levels contributed to his physical collapse .
“ James was a perfect example of a kid who is completely running for his team , ” Weich said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most people running for themselves can get quite to that point .
If you ’ re running for a little bit extra , I think you ’ ll find yourself running with absolutely nothing left .
“ For him to get up and finish for his team in third , it was a really special moment.
” Thomas qualified as an individual for the state meet in each of the past two seasons .
For the senior this will be his first and final trip with the Broomfield boys team by his side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last kick to the finish line .
“ The goal for me is to get as close to the top-five as possible and break into it if I can , ” Thomas said .
“ That will just come down to preparing and racing as hard as I can that day .
Hopefully , nothing like last week happens .
But you never know .
”

James Thomas collapsed from exhaustion nearing the finish line when the Broomfield cross country runner mustered all of his strength for one last kick.
“I got to the 100-meter mark and my legs kind of just gave out,” said Thomas, who was running in third at his Class 5A regional last week, with the fourth-place finisher closing in. “I fell and I could hear everyone behind me cheering. So, I got up, took a couple more steps, looked at the finish line, and just dove.
“Everything started going dizzy, but I kept thinking: ‘Every place counts. I can’t let anyone beat me to get the boys to state.’”
Thomas’ dramatic plunge secured his third-place finish and kept the Eagles soaring into the postseason.
“I’ve never seen a kid run that hard,” Broomfield cross country coach Greg Weich said. “It was really gratifying to have that effort not wasted. All the other boys ran perfectly to qualify. It was amazing.”
The state high school boys and girls state cross country meet is Saturday in Colorado Springs at the Norris-Penrose Events Center. Few teams are so grateful for a shot at a team title as Broomfield, whose top runner pushed himself to the brink — and overcame a subsequent health scare.
Thomas will compete Saturday, but for several nervous hours after regionals, his running future appeared to be in jeopardy.
“I’ve never felt anything like that before,” Thomas said. “It was 10 minutes after the race and I’m still lying in the tent. I’m still breathing hard and I could barely see anything. That’s when I knew that it was probably bad.”
Thomas’ mother, Brooke Smith, brought her son to a nearby hospital for IV-fluids that lifted his spirits. But a concerning EKG and bloodwork results led doctors to suggest Thomas be immediately transferred to Children’s Hospital for an ultrasound on his heart. They needed to rule out any related long-term health concerns.
“He was nervous, for sure, because there was that window of time where we tried not to think about it too much,” Smith said. “What if the doctor came back with … ‘You’re done running.’”
After nearly 10 hours between two hospitals, though, Thomas was finally released with a clean bill of health. He ran at practice the next day. Thomas said an extremely fast start at regionals and low salt levels contributed to his physical collapse.
“James was a perfect example of a kid who is completely running for his team,” Weich said. “I don’t think most people running for themselves can get quite to that point. If you’re running for a little bit extra, I think you’ll find yourself running with absolutely nothing left.
“For him to get up and finish for his team in third, it was a really special moment.”
Thomas qualified as an individual for the state meet in each of the past two seasons. For the senior this will be his first and final trip with the Broomfield boys team by his side. He’s ready for one last kick to the finish line.
“The goal for me is to get as close to the top-five as possible and break into it if I can,” Thomas said. “That will just come down to preparing and racing as hard as I can that day. Hopefully, nothing like last week happens. But you never know.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-16--Ex-Angels employee indicted in Tyler Skaggs’ fatal overdose

FORT WORTH , Texas ( AP ) — A federal grand jury indicted a former Los Angeles Angels employee on drug charges for allegedly providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death .
Eric Prescott Kay was charged Thursday with drug distribution and drug conspiracy in Skaggs ’ overdose death , according to the indictment in Fort Worth , Texas .
The charges carry a maximum of a life sentence and 20 years in prison , respectively .
Kay remained free on his own recognizance .
A message seeking comment from Kay ’ s attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned .
Skaggs , 27 , was found dead in his suburban Dallas hotel room on July 1 , 2019 , before the start of what was supposed to be a four-game series against the Texas Rangers .
The first game was postponed .
A coroner ’ s report said Skaggs had choked to death on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the drugs fentanyl and oxycodone in his system , which Kay was accused of providing .
Kay was the Angels ’ director of communications , and he served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road trips .
He was placed on leave shortly after Skaggs ’ death , and he never returned to the team .
Team officials said they had not been aware that Skaggs was an opioids user and didn ’ t know any employees were providing drugs to players .

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A federal grand jury indicted a former Los Angeles Angels employee on drug charges for allegedly providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death.
Eric Prescott Kay was charged Thursday with drug distribution and drug conspiracy in Skaggs’ overdose death, according to the indictment in Fort Worth, Texas. The charges carry a maximum of a life sentence and 20 years in prison, respectively.
Kay remained free on his own recognizance. A message seeking comment from Kay’s attorney, Reagan Wynn, was not immediately returned.
Skaggs, 27, was found dead in his suburban Dallas hotel room on July 1, 2019, before the start of what was supposed to be a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. The first game was postponed.
A coroner’s report said Skaggs had choked to death on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the drugs fentanyl and oxycodone in his system, which Kay was accused of providing.
Kay was the Angels’ director of communications, and he served as their public relations contact on many road trips. He was placed on leave shortly after Skaggs’ death, and he never returned to the team.
Team officials said they had not been aware that Skaggs was an opioids user and didn’t know any employees were providing drugs to players.


thedenverpost--2020-10-16--Denver-born billionaire Robert Smith reaches $139 million tax settlement with federal prosecutors

Robert F. Smith , the Denver native whose tech investing made him a multi-billionaire , is set to avoid prosecution for tax evasion after reaching a $ 139 million settlement with the government , officials announced Thursday .
Smith , an alumnus of Denver ’ s East High School , has been under federal investigation since 2016 for dodging taxes on $ 200 million in assets moved through financial entities based in the Caribbean , according to a Bloomberg News story published in August .
That criminal probe is coming to an end after Smith reached a deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
In addition to the settlement , Smith is working with prosecutors in a case against Houston businessman Robert Brockman .
Brockman was indicted Thursday on 39 charges related to an alleged $ 2 billion tax fraud scheme , according to the AP , the largest-ever tax evasion case against an American .
Brockman , a part-time resident of Pitkin County , gave Smith $ 1 billion in 2000 to help launch his highly successful tech investment firm , Vista Equity Partners .
On Thursday , David L. Anderson , U.S. attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commended Smith for working with prosecutors .
“ Smith ’ s agreement to cooperate has put him on a path away from indictment , ” the AP quoted Anderson as saying .
Smith , 57 , started his professional life as a chemical engineer before going into finance .
He ’ s now worth more than $ 5 billion , making him the richest Black person in America and the 330th richest person in the world , according to Forbes 2020 listing of billionaires .
Smith is well known for his philanthropy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ student loan debt for 400 students graduating from Morehouse College made international news in the spring of 2019 .
Smith and Vista are based in Austin , Texas but are deeply invested in tech companies and other ventures in Denver .
He used $ 13 million of the untaxed money at the heart of the investigation to buy a property in Colorado and fund charitable events there , according to the AP .
When Denver Startup Week 2020 was held virtually last month , Smith was the keynote speaker , participating in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Michael Hancock .
During that event , Smith talked about the “ tens of millions of dollars ” he has invested in the Welton Street corridor , the portion of Denver once known as the Harlem of the West for its importance to Black culture .
“ Why ?
” Smith said of his investments in Denver ’ s most storied Black community .
“ Because you have to invest into that talent pool there to get more STEM-educated people from all walks of life in America actually now participating in what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to be STEM-oriented or tech-oriented .
”

Robert F. Smith, the Denver native whose tech investing made him a multi-billionaire, is set to avoid prosecution for tax evasion after reaching a $139 million settlement with the government, officials announced Thursday.
Smith, an alumnus of Denver’s East High School, has been under federal investigation since 2016 for dodging taxes on $200 million in assets moved through financial entities based in the Caribbean, according to a Bloomberg News story published in August.
That criminal probe is coming to an end after Smith reached a deal with the Department of Justice, the Associated Press reported. In addition to the settlement, Smith is working with prosecutors in a case against Houston businessman Robert Brockman.
Brockman was indicted Thursday on 39 charges related to an alleged $2 billion tax fraud scheme, according to the AP, the largest-ever tax evasion case against an American.
Brockman, a part-time resident of Pitkin County, gave Smith $1 billion in 2000 to help launch his highly successful tech investment firm, Vista Equity Partners.
On Thursday, David L. Anderson, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, commended Smith for working with prosecutors.
“Smith’s agreement to cooperate has put him on a path away from indictment,” the AP quoted Anderson as saying.
Smith, 57, started his professional life as a chemical engineer before going into finance. He’s now worth more than $5 billion, making him the richest Black person in America and the 330th richest person in the world, according to Forbes 2020 listing of billionaires.
Smith is well known for his philanthropy. His pledge to pay off all the student loan debt for 400 students graduating from Morehouse College made international news in the spring of 2019.
Smith and Vista are based in Austin, Texas but are deeply invested in tech companies and other ventures in Denver.
He used $13 million of the untaxed money at the heart of the investigation to buy a property in Colorado and fund charitable events there, according to the AP.
When Denver Startup Week 2020 was held virtually last month, Smith was the keynote speaker, participating in a video question and answer session with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. During that event, Smith talked about the “tens of millions of dollars” he has invested in the Welton Street corridor, the portion of Denver once known as the Harlem of the West for its importance to Black culture.
“Why?” Smith said of his investments in Denver’s most storied Black community. “Because you have to invest into that talent pool there to get more STEM-educated people from all walks of life in America actually now participating in what in the next generation of opportunity which is going to be STEM-oriented or tech-oriented.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-16--Democrats raise more than Republicans in Colorado’s competitive races

Democrats outraised Republicans in Colorado ’ s competitive federal elections this summer , following a national trend and highlighting Democratic enthusiasm here .
The numbers are most stark in Colorado ’ s U.S. Senate race , which will help determine which party controls the upper chamber of Congress next year .
John Hickenlooper , a Democratic challenger , raised $ 22.6 million and Republican Sen. Cory Gardner raised $ 7.8 million between July and September .
Hickenlooper ’ s record-breaking fundraising haul — the largest by any candidate in Colorado history — mirrors similarly historic fundraising totals for Democrats across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican in Colorado ’ s most competitive U.S. House race , for the 3rd Congressional District .
As he has done since entering the race last August , Hickenlooper pulled in large donations from wealthy donors , as well as a large number of small donors .
A top Facebook lobbyist gave $ 2,800 and Twitter ’ s CFO donated the same amount , as did a Twitter attorney .
Samuel R. Walton , heir to the vast Walmart fortune , also wrote a check for $ 2,800 — the maximum for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off corporate political action committees , received $ 222,853 from other PACs .
Donations of $ 5,000 came from PACs for at least 10 Democratic U.S. senators , as well as unions representing plasterers , cement masons , teachers , machinists and federal employees .
Brady PAC , the gun control group , sent along $ 5,000 , as did Planned Parenthood ’ s political action committee .
Gardner received $ 277,345 from PACs between July and September , including $ 5,000 donations from PACs for Republican Sens .
Lisa Murkowski and Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish Coalition , the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List , and the pro-Trump Committee to Defend the President .
Individuals donating to Gardner included Jerry Reinsdorf , billionaire owner of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls , and several members of the billionaire McKee family , creators of Little Debbie snacks .
Gardner also received donations from three executives at JBS USA , a Greeley-based meatpacking company that has been criticized for its labor practices during the coronavirus pandemic .
Colorado ’ s closest federal race , according to polls , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes Grand Junction , the Western Slope , Pueblo and all the mountain towns in between .
Democratic candidate Diane Mitsch Bush raised $ 2.6 million , and Republican candidate Lauren Boebert — a front-runner due to the district ’ s decade-long Republican lean — raised $ 1.9 million last quarter .
At least nine billionaires donated to Mitsch Bush ’ s campaign , including Walton and Coloradans Pat Stryker and Kenneth Tuchman .
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Gov .
Jared Polis donated the maximum $ 2,800 , as did both of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bezos — parents of the world ’ s richest person , Jeff Bezos — also wrote $ 2,800 checks to Mitsch Bush ’ s campaign .
Mitsch Bush received $ 129,550 from political action committees , including several unions .
A committee for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chipped in , as did gun control groups Brady and Giffords , plus NARAL , an abortion rights group .
Boebert ’ s single largest supporter , meanwhile , was Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , whose “ 20 for 20 Victory Fund ” transferred $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also received donations from some of the U.S. House ’ s most conservative members , such as Thomas Massie , Andy Biggs and Jim Jordan .
Three members of the Coors family gave a combined $ 6,100 .
Colorado billionaire Larry Mizel donated the maximum , $ 2,800 , as did billionaires John and Amy Phelan , and Schlitz beer ’ s billionaire heir Dick Uihlein .
University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl donated $ 2,000 to Boebert ’ s campaign .

Democrats outraised Republicans in Colorado’s competitive federal elections this summer, following a national trend and highlighting Democratic enthusiasm here.
The numbers are most stark in Colorado’s U.S. Senate race, which will help determine which party controls the upper chamber of Congress next year. John Hickenlooper, a Democratic challenger, raised $22.6 million and Republican Sen. Cory Gardner raised $7.8 million between July and September.
Hickenlooper’s record-breaking fundraising haul — the largest by any candidate in Colorado history — mirrors similarly historic fundraising totals for Democrats across the country. The Democrat also outraised the Republican in Colorado’s most competitive U.S. House race, for the 3rd Congressional District.
As he has done since entering the race last August, Hickenlooper pulled in large donations from wealthy donors, as well as a large number of small donors. A top Facebook lobbyist gave $2,800 and Twitter’s CFO donated the same amount, as did a Twitter attorney. Samuel R. Walton, heir to the vast Walmart fortune, also wrote a check for $2,800 — the maximum for individuals.
Hickenlooper, who has sworn off corporate political action committees, received $222,853 from other PACs. Donations of $5,000 came from PACs for at least 10 Democratic U.S. senators, as well as unions representing plasterers, cement masons, teachers, machinists and federal employees. Brady PAC, the gun control group, sent along $5,000, as did Planned Parenthood’s political action committee.
Gardner received $277,345 from PACs between July and September, including $5,000 donations from PACs for Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Josh Hawley, as well as the Republican Jewish Coalition, the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, and the pro-Trump Committee to Defend the President.
Individuals donating to Gardner included Jerry Reinsdorf, billionaire owner of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls, and several members of the billionaire McKee family, creators of Little Debbie snacks. Gardner also received donations from three executives at JBS USA, a Greeley-based meatpacking company that has been criticized for its labor practices during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 3rd District
Colorado’s closest federal race, according to polls, is in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Grand Junction, the Western Slope, Pueblo and all the mountain towns in between. Democratic candidate Diane Mitsch Bush raised $2.6 million, and Republican candidate Lauren Boebert — a front-runner due to the district’s decade-long Republican lean — raised $1.9 million last quarter.
At least nine billionaires donated to Mitsch Bush’s campaign, including Walton and Coloradans Pat Stryker and Kenneth Tuchman. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Gov. Jared Polis donated the maximum $2,800, as did both of Polis’ parents. Jackie and Miguel Bezos — parents of the world’s richest person, Jeff Bezos — also wrote $2,800 checks to Mitsch Bush’s campaign.
Mitsch Bush received $129,550 from political action committees, including several unions. A committee for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chipped in, as did gun control groups Brady and Giffords, plus NARAL, an abortion rights group.
Boebert’s single largest supporter, meanwhile, was Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, whose “20 for 20 Victory Fund” transferred $136,250 to her campaign coffers. She also received donations from some of the U.S. House’s most conservative members, such as Thomas Massie, Andy Biggs and Jim Jordan.
Three members of the Coors family gave a combined $6,100. Colorado billionaire Larry Mizel donated the maximum, $2,800, as did billionaires John and Amy Phelan, and Schlitz beer’s billionaire heir Dick Uihlein. University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl donated $2,000 to Boebert’s campaign.


thedenverpost--2020-10-16--Broncos podcast: Drew Lock, Cam Newton expected to return for Denver-New England in Week 6

In this edition of the 1st-and-Orange podcast sponsored by SportsBetting.com , Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O @ @ @ @ @ ’ Week 6 showdown against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium .
The game was originally @ @ @ @ @ Week 5 but was postponed one week due to positive coronavirus tests within the Patriots @ @ @ @ @ chances the game gets postponed again ?
How will the return of quarterbacks Drew Lock @ @ @ @ @ and Cam Newton ( coronavirus ) affect the matchup ?
Will the Broncos play running @ @ @ @ @ DUI arrest earlier this week ?
These questions , and more , are addressed in @ @ @ @ @ 🔊 Broncos podcast : Previewing Denver at New England in Week 5 on Monday Subscribe @ @ @ @ @ to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox .

In this edition of the 1st-and-Orange podcast sponsored by SportsBetting.com, Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran preview the Broncos’ Week 6 showdown against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Week 5 but was postponed one week due to positive coronavirus tests within the Patriots organization.
What are the chances the game gets postponed again? How will the return of quarterbacks Drew Lock (right shoulder injury) and Cam Newton (coronavirus) affect the matchup? Will the Broncos play running back Melvin Gordon after his DUI arrest earlier this week? These questions, and more, are addressed in a packed episode.
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thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Schoolchildren are stalled by a growing laptop shortage

When Guilford County Schools in North Carolina spent more than $ 27 million to buy 66,000 computers and tablets for students over the summer , the district ran into a problem : There was a shortage of cheap laptops , and the devices wouldn ’ t arrive until late October or November .
More than 4,000 students in the district had to start the school year without the computers they needed for remote learning .
“ It ’ s heartbreaking , ” said Angie Henry , the district ’ s chief operations officer .
“ Kids are excited about school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of children are encountering all sorts of inconveniences that come with digital instruction during the coronavirus pandemic .
But many students are facing a more basic challenge : They don ’ t have computers and can ’ t attend classes held online .
A surge in worldwide demand by educators for low-cost laptops and Chromebooks — up to 41 % higher than last year — has created monthslong shipment delays and pitted desperate schools against one another .
Districts with deep pockets often win out , leaving poorer ones to give out printed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computers to arrive .
That has frustrated students around the country , especially in rural areas and communities of color , which also often lack high-speed internet access and are most likely to be on the losing end of the digital divide .
In 2018 , 10 million students didn ’ t have an adequate device at home , a study found .
That gap , with much of the country still learning remotely , could now be crippling .
“ The learning loss that ’ s taken place since March when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll take years to catch up , ” Henry said .
“ This could impact an entire generation of our students.
” Sellers are facing stunning demand from schools in countries from Germany to El Salvador , said Michael Boreham , an education technology analyst at Futuresource Consulting , a British company .
Japan alone is expected to order 7 million devices .
Global computer shipments to schools were up 24 % from 2019 in the second quarter , Boreham said , and were projected to hit that 41 % jump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chromebooks , web-based devices that run on software from Google and are made by an array of companies , are in particular demand because they cost less than regular laptops .
That has put huge pressure on a supply chain that cobbles laptop parts from all over the world , usually assembling them in Asian factories , Boreham said .
While that supply chain has slowly geared up , the spike in demand is “ so far over and above what has historically been the case , ” said Stephen Baker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group .
“ The fact that we ’ ve been able to do that and there ’ s still more demand out there , it ’ s something you can ’ t plan for.
” Adding to the problem , many manufacturers are putting a priority on producing expensive electronics that net greater profits , like gaming hardware and higher-end computers for at-home employees , said Erez Pikar , chief executive of Trox , a company that sells devices to school districts .
Before the year began , Trox predicted it would deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and Canada in 2020 , Pikar said .
Now , the total will be 2 million .
But North American schools are still likely to end the year with a shortage of more than 5 million devices , he said .
He added that he was not aware of any large-scale efforts to get refurbished or donated laptops to school districts .
Districts that placed orders early in the pandemic have come out ahead , industry analysts said , while schools that waited until summer — often because they were struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disadvantage .
The Los Angeles Unified School District spent $ 100 million on computers for students in March and said in September that it was unaffected by shortages .
But Paterson Public Schools in New Jersey had to wait until it received federal coronavirus relief money in late May to order 14,000 Chromebooks , which were then delayed because of Commerce Department restrictions on a Chinese manufacturer , Hefei Bitland .
Alabama schools are waiting for more than 160,000 devices , and Mississippi did not receive the first of the 320,000 computers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Staples said it would receive 140,000 Chromebooks for schools in November and December , 40,000 of which are earmarked for California districts .
Daniel Santos , an eighth grade teacher in Houston , logs into his virtual classroom from home each morning and starts the day ’ s American history lesson .
Once he turns his students loose to work on assignments , the hard conversations begin .
If students stop turning in homework consistently , Santos asks them privately : Do you have access to a laptop ?
One boy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer at home , making it difficult for both to attend class .
Others were completing assignments on their cellphones .
“ It breaks my heart , ” said Santos , who hears the “ demoralization ” in students ’ voices .
“ They want to do their work.
” Nearly all of the almost 700 students at the school , Navarro Middle School , are Hispanic or Black , and most are eligible for free lunches .
Santos said Navarro had been underfunded for years .
It does not even have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district said it had spent $ 51 million and obtained more than 100,000 devices since April .
But a month into the school year , Houston teachers are still encountering children without laptops .
Santos ’ students are intelligent , inquisitive and unaccustomed to struggling in school , he said .
But since classes started in early September , about 10 of his 120 students have told him that they need a laptop .
For the first time , some are falling behind , he said .
Guilford County Schools , with 73,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina .
The district ordered laptops in August with help from the March coronavirus relief bill , Henry said .
Many children in the area live in poverty and lack personal computers or reliable internet service , she said .
Those who can not attend virtual classes are receiving printed assignments delivered to their houses .
Some are watching recordings of classes when they can log on to a device , and a small number have been allowed into district buildings for occasional access to computers and Wi-Fi , Henry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some in-person instruction in late October because of the growing divide between rich and poor .
In eastern Idaho , the Bonneville Joint School District is holding in-person classes , but hundreds of students have had to quarantine after possible virus exposure — and the district said it did not have enough Chromebooks for them all .
It didn ’ t place its $ 700,000 order for 4,000 devices until late September because of budget challenges , said Gordon Howard , Bonneville ’ s technology director .
While they wait for the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on education .
“ Those that are behind continue to get further behind , and it ’ s through no fault of the kids at all , ” said Scott Miller , principal of the Bonneville district ’ s Hillcrest High School in Ammon .

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Kellen Browning
When Guilford County Schools in North Carolina spent more than $27 million to buy 66,000 computers and tablets for students over the summer, the district ran into a problem: There was a shortage of cheap laptops, and the devices wouldn’t arrive until late October or November.
More than 4,000 students in the district had to start the school year without the computers they needed for remote learning.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Angie Henry, the district’s chief operations officer. “Kids are excited about school. They want to learn.”
Millions of children are encountering all sorts of inconveniences that come with digital instruction during the coronavirus pandemic. But many students are facing a more basic challenge: They don’t have computers and can’t attend classes held online.
A surge in worldwide demand by educators for low-cost laptops and Chromebooks — up to 41% higher than last year — has created monthslong shipment delays and pitted desperate schools against one another. Districts with deep pockets often win out, leaving poorer ones to give out printed assignments and wait until winter for new computers to arrive.
That has frustrated students around the country, especially in rural areas and communities of color, which also often lack high-speed internet access and are most likely to be on the losing end of the digital divide. In 2018, 10 million students didn’t have an adequate device at home, a study found. That gap, with much of the country still learning remotely, could now be crippling.
“The learning loss that’s taken place since March when they left, when schools closed, it’ll take years to catch up,” Henry said. “This could impact an entire generation of our students.”
Sellers are facing stunning demand from schools in countries from Germany to El Salvador, said Michael Boreham, an education technology analyst at Futuresource Consulting, a British company. Japan alone is expected to order 7 million devices.
Global computer shipments to schools were up 24% from 2019 in the second quarter, Boreham said, and were projected to hit that 41% jump in the third quarter, which just ended.
Chromebooks, web-based devices that run on software from Google and are made by an array of companies, are in particular demand because they cost less than regular laptops. That has put huge pressure on a supply chain that cobbles laptop parts from all over the world, usually assembling them in Asian factories, Boreham said.
While that supply chain has slowly geared up, the spike in demand is “so far over and above what has historically been the case,” said Stephen Baker, a consumer electronics analyst at the NPD Group. “The fact that we’ve been able to do that and there’s still more demand out there, it’s something you can’t plan for.”
Adding to the problem, many manufacturers are putting a priority on producing expensive electronics that net greater profits, like gaming hardware and higher-end computers for at-home employees, said Erez Pikar, chief executive of Trox, a company that sells devices to school districts.
Before the year began, Trox predicted it would deliver 500,000 devices to school districts in the United States and Canada in 2020, Pikar said. Now, the total will be 2 million. But North American schools are still likely to end the year with a shortage of more than 5 million devices, he said. He added that he was not aware of any large-scale efforts to get refurbished or donated laptops to school districts.
Districts that placed orders early in the pandemic have come out ahead, industry analysts said, while schools that waited until summer — often because they were struggling to make ends meet — are at a disadvantage.
The Los Angeles Unified School District spent $100 million on computers for students in March and said in September that it was unaffected by shortages. But Paterson Public Schools in New Jersey had to wait until it received federal coronavirus relief money in late May to order 14,000 Chromebooks, which were then delayed because of Commerce Department restrictions on a Chinese manufacturer, Hefei Bitland.
Alabama schools are waiting for more than 160,000 devices, and Mississippi did not receive the first of the 320,000 computers the state had ordered until early October. Staples said it would receive 140,000 Chromebooks for schools in November and December, 40,000 of which are earmarked for California districts.
Daniel Santos, an eighth grade teacher in Houston, logs into his virtual classroom from home each morning and starts the day’s American history lesson. Once he turns his students loose to work on assignments, the hard conversations begin.
If students stop turning in homework consistently, Santos asks them privately: Do you have access to a laptop? One boy said he and his brother were sharing one computer at home, making it difficult for both to attend class. Others were completing assignments on their cellphones.
“It breaks my heart,” said Santos, who hears the “demoralization” in students’ voices. “They want to do their work.”
Nearly all of the almost 700 students at the school, Navarro Middle School, are Hispanic or Black, and most are eligible for free lunches. Santos said Navarro had been underfunded for years. It does not even have a functioning library, he said.
The district said it had spent $51 million and obtained more than 100,000 devices since April. But a month into the school year, Houston teachers are still encountering children without laptops.
Santos’ students are intelligent, inquisitive and unaccustomed to struggling in school, he said. But since classes started in early September, about 10 of his 120 students have told him that they need a laptop. For the first time, some are falling behind, he said.
Guilford County Schools, with 73,000 students, is encountering the same problem in North Carolina. The district ordered laptops in August with help from the March coronavirus relief bill, Henry said.
Many children in the area live in poverty and lack personal computers or reliable internet service, she said. Those who cannot attend virtual classes are receiving printed assignments delivered to their houses. Some are watching recordings of classes when they can log on to a device, and a small number have been allowed into district buildings for occasional access to computers and Wi-Fi, Henry said.
The district is pushing to resume some in-person instruction in late October because of the growing divide between rich and poor.
In eastern Idaho, the Bonneville Joint School District is holding in-person classes, but hundreds of students have had to quarantine after possible virus exposure — and the district said it did not have enough Chromebooks for them all. It didn’t place its $700,000 order for 4,000 devices until late September because of budget challenges, said Gordon Howard, Bonneville’s technology director.
While they wait for the order, students without computers are missing out on education.
“Those that are behind continue to get further behind, and it’s through no fault of the kids at all,” said Scott Miller, principal of the Bonneville district’s Hillcrest High School in Ammon.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Did you hear about voter intimidation at a Denver drop box? It didn’t happen, election officials say

Did you hear about voter intimidation at a Denver drop box? It didn’t happen, election officials say.

Denver election officials began getting reports of voter intimidation at two drop boxes on Tuesday , just days after most voters began receiving their ballots .
Within hours , the rumors of voting problems were spreading across social media .
The Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder reviewed video of the drop box locations and found no evidence anything inappropriate happened , but that didn ’ t prevent possibly thousands of people from seeing the unsubstantiated reports on Nextdoor and Facebook .
The threat of misinformation and disinformation is real in 2020 .
It ’ s a national phenomenon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud are heightened as the nation speeds toward a particularly divisive election , and incorrect reports — no matter how well-intentioned — spread quickly on social media .
But some reports are less innocent , with bad actors using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to increase distrust and confusion , according to election officials and civic groups who are attempting to combat those efforts .
Denver officials checked security footage of the entire day at the two recreation centers where voter intimidation was reported , said spokesperson Alton Dillard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ security cameras , and staff in the clerk ’ s office can monitor that footage at any time .
“ Because we ’ re three weeks from a major election , we ’ re taking it seriously , ” Dillard said .
“ We are not just blowing it off.
” Denver Clerk and Record Paul López acknowledged this type of misinformation can spread quickly , so voters should make sure to check with their clerk ’ s office if they see anything concerning .
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voter intimidation , just one report out of Larimer County over confusion between state and municipal ballot drop boxes , .
Russian meddling in the 2016 election via disinformation campaigns has caused widespread concern about a repeat in 2020 .
Disinformation is deliberately false information ; misinformation is false but wasn ’ t created to mislead people .
Various groups and government agencies have made it their mission to combat the spread of bad information , but with few controls on social media , they face an uphill battle .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start thinking of this as one of the costs of our democracy , ” said Kelly Hupfeld , associate dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver .
“ As long as we are going to have this commitment to free speech , and in particular political free speech , this is the burden of a voter.
” Elections officials across the country also routinely receive intelligence reports about foreign actors and cybercriminals .
Last month , the FBI and Cybersecurity and Intelligence Agency warned of newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and false information being spread “ in an attempt to discredit the electoral process and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions.
” Griswold , a Democrat , said she worries about continued Russian interference , and she blames the federal government for not investing in cybersecurity as well as the president for undermining faith in democracy through the election .
Disinformation is not only misleading , but foreign actors meddling in elections becomes a national security concern .
This year , Griswold added a new rapid response security team to her office that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including disinformation .
Both misinformation and disinformation campaigns have been building in society , particularly over the last 10 years with the rise of social media , Hupfeld noted .
It started with political flyers in mailboxes that made claims against opposing candidates , Hupfeld said .
But as social media grew in popularity , people realized its power to sway and “ to really remove the foundation of a common truth from us.
” People are relying less on previously trusted sources such as local government and local newspapers , Hupfeld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where information may not be verified .
Elections officials in Colorado have been urging voters to go directly to the secretary of state ’ s website or county websites for election information and report any elections concerns to them directly .
Experts shared these tips to avoid falling for disinformation or misinformation : • Be skeptical and don ’ t immediately share content .
If something elicits a strong emotional response , make sure to check it out and verify from other sources .
• If one news organization reports something and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it may not be correct .
• If you see a political picture or meme , do a reverse image search to make sure it hasn ’ t been taken out of context .
• Recognize that political content on social media is often targeted — you didn ’ t just happen to come across it .
• Go directly to the source when possible , particularly after seeing something on social media , such as checking an elections website for results .
• If you see something concerning related to voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office directly .
Social media companies such as Twitter and Facebook are now making some effort to vet content — though Hupfeld says it may be too little , too late for this election .
Whatever Colorado voters see on social media , they should rest assured that their elections are among the safest in the nation , Griswold stressed .
“ People still have the power , ” she said .
“ They just have to make a plan to vote , vote early and mail their ballot if available ( in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have questions or concerns about voting in the 2020 election , text them to 303-871-1491 .
Help journalists and the public keep track of any issues during early voting or on Election Day .
Voters can attach videos , photos , or descriptions of what they see and hear from now through Nov. 3 — or when ballot counting is finished .
More than 60 news organizations across Colorado will be monitoring these texts as part of the Colorado News Collaborative .

Denver election officials began getting reports of voter intimidation at two drop boxes on Tuesday, just days after most voters began receiving their ballots. Within hours, the rumors of voting problems were spreading across social media.
The Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder reviewed video of the drop box locations and found no evidence anything inappropriate happened, but that didn’t prevent possibly thousands of people from seeing the unsubstantiated reports on Nextdoor and Facebook.
The threat of misinformation and disinformation is real in 2020.
It’s a national phenomenon: Concerns about voter suppression and voter fraud are heightened as the nation speeds toward a particularly divisive election, and incorrect reports — no matter how well-intentioned — spread quickly on social media. But some reports are less innocent, with bad actors using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to increase distrust and confusion, according to election officials and civic groups who are attempting to combat those efforts.
Denver officials checked security footage of the entire day at the two recreation centers where voter intimidation was reported, said spokesperson Alton Dillard. Colorado’s ballot drop boxes have security cameras, and staff in the clerk’s office can monitor that footage at any time.
“Because we’re three weeks from a major election, we’re taking it seriously,” Dillard said. “We are not just blowing it off.”
Denver Clerk and Record Paul López acknowledged this type of misinformation can spread quickly, so voters should make sure to check with their clerk’s office if they see anything concerning.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said the state also has not confirmed any cases of voter intimidation, just one report out of Larimer County over confusion between state and municipal ballot drop boxes,.
Russian meddling in the 2016 election via disinformation campaigns has caused widespread concern about a repeat in 2020. Disinformation is deliberately false information; misinformation is false but wasn’t created to mislead people.
Various groups and government agencies have made it their mission to combat the spread of bad information, but with few controls on social media, they face an uphill battle.
“I think we’re going to need to start thinking of this as one of the costs of our democracy,” said Kelly Hupfeld, associate dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver. “As long as we are going to have this commitment to free speech, and in particular political free speech, this is the burden of a voter.”
Elections officials across the country also routinely receive intelligence reports about foreign actors and cybercriminals. Last month, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Intelligence Agency warned of newly created websites, changes to existing websites and false information being spread “in an attempt to discredit the electoral process and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions.”
Griswold, a Democrat, said she worries about continued Russian interference, and she blames the federal government for not investing in cybersecurity as well as the president for undermining faith in democracy through the election. Disinformation is not only misleading, but foreign actors meddling in elections becomes a national security concern.
This year, Griswold added a new rapid response security team to her office that works with counties on addressing emerging threats, including disinformation.
Both misinformation and disinformation campaigns have been building in society, particularly over the last 10 years with the rise of social media, Hupfeld noted.
It started with political flyers in mailboxes that made claims against opposing candidates, Hupfeld said. But as social media grew in popularity, people realized its power to sway and “to really remove the foundation of a common truth from us.”
People are relying less on previously trusted sources such as local government and local newspapers, Hupfeld said, and instead on social media, where information may not be verified. Elections officials in Colorado have been urging voters to go directly to the secretary of state’s website or county websites for election information and report any elections concerns to them directly.
Experts shared these tips to avoid falling for disinformation or misinformation:
Be skeptical and don’t immediately share content. If something elicits a strong emotional response, make sure to check it out and verify from other sources.
If one news organization reports something and others have not verified it within hours, it may not be correct.
If you see a political picture or meme, do a reverse image search to make sure it hasn’t been taken out of context.
Recognize that political content on social media is often targeted — you didn’t just happen to come across it.
Go directly to the source when possible, particularly after seeing something on social media, such as checking an elections website for results.
If you see something concerning related to voting, contact your county clerk’s office directly.
Find more tips at https://coloradomediaproject.com/misinfowatch.
Social media companies such as Twitter and Facebook are now making some effort to vet content — though Hupfeld says it may be too little, too late for this election.
Whatever Colorado voters see on social media, they should rest assured that their elections are among the safest in the nation, Griswold stressed.
“People still have the power,” she said. “They just have to make a plan to vote, vote early and mail their ballot if available (in their state).”
If you have questions or concerns about voting in the 2020 election, text them to 303-871-1491. Help journalists and the public keep track of any issues during early voting or on Election Day. Voters can attach videos, photos, or descriptions of what they see and hear from now through Nov. 3 — or when ballot counting is finished. More than 60 news organizations across Colorado will be monitoring these texts as part of the Colorado News Collaborative.
Reporter Conrad Swanson contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Colorado can expect a warm, dry winter ahead, NOAA report says

Coloradans can expect a warmer , drier , and less snowy winter than average according to a new report out on Thursday .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , or NOAA , released their annual winter outlook in collaboration with the agency ’ s Climate Prediction Center .
The forecast calls for a drier-than-average winter season for much of the southwest , including the southern half of Colorado .
The outlook calls for “ equal chances ” of below average , near average , and above-average precipitation for northern Colorado .
To put it plainly , there are very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wetter-than-average weather from December through February .
This will likely lead to an intensification of the ongoing drought here in Colorado , and an expansion of drought over much of the western United States .
It is disappointing news for water supply concerns and the Colorado ski resorts , as the region continues to suffer through its driest year overall since 2006 .
Regarding winter temperatures , NOAA is favoring warmer-than-average conditions over all of Colorado , with the highest odds of an unusually warm winter across the southern part of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be confined to the Northern Plains , Northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest , as abnormal warmth likely envelopes much of the rest of the nation .
One of the main climate tools that long-range forecasters use as guidance for seasonal forecasting is the current state of the El Niño Southern Oscillation , or ENSO for short .
ENSO is significantly large enough to alter the global circulation , which in turn can greatly influence temperature and precipitation patterns across the United States .
In early September , NOAA officially determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase , called La Niña .
La Niña represents a large pool of colder-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean .
Since being classified over a month ago , the La Niña has continued to strengthen and NOAA is expecting a moderate-to-strong event to last through the upcoming winter season .
Denver ’ s average seasonal snowfall total for the past ten La Niña events equates to around 40 inches , which is less than 75 % of normal for the Mile High City .
Seven of those ten La Niña @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most recent La Niña event from 2017-2018 , a paltry 25.7 inches of snow was tallied at Denver International Airport for the entire season .
The last time that the Denver area saw seasonal snowfall close to average during a La Niña was in the winter of 2011-2012 , when 55 inches was recorded .
It is important to note that these outlooks only characterize the trends , averaged over the three month period from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 .
Within that period , Colorado can still expect quite a few snow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now is a good time to prepare your vehicles , home and family for the hazardous winter weather that lies ahead .
But when all gets averaged together at the end of the winter , odds favor this one going down in the record books as warmer and drier than what is normal .

Coloradans can expect a warmer, drier, and less snowy winter than average according to a new report out on Thursday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, released their annual winter outlook in collaboration with the agency’s Climate Prediction Center.
The forecast calls for a drier-than-average winter season for much of the southwest, including the southern half of Colorado. The outlook calls for “equal chances” of below average, near average, and above-average precipitation for northern Colorado.
To put it plainly, there are very few signals that show Colorado benefiting from wetter-than-average weather from December through February. This will likely lead to an intensification of the ongoing drought here in Colorado, and an expansion of drought over much of the western United States.
It is disappointing news for water supply concerns and the Colorado ski resorts, as the region continues to suffer through its driest year overall since 2006.
Regarding winter temperatures, NOAA is favoring warmer-than-average conditions over all of Colorado, with the highest odds of an unusually warm winter across the southern part of the state. The agency is expecting below-average temperatures to be confined to the Northern Plains, Northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest, as abnormal warmth likely envelopes much of the rest of the nation.
One of the main climate tools that long-range forecasters use as guidance for seasonal forecasting is the current state of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO for short. ENSO is significantly large enough to alter the global circulation, which in turn can greatly influence temperature and precipitation patterns across the United States.
In early September, NOAA officially determined that the ENSO had shifted into its cold phase, called La Niña. La Niña represents a large pool of colder-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Since being classified over a month ago, the La Niña has continued to strengthen and NOAA is expecting a moderate-to-strong event to last through the upcoming winter season.
Denver’s average seasonal snowfall total for the past ten La Niña events equates to around 40 inches, which is less than 75% of normal for the Mile High City. Seven of those ten La Niña winters featured below-average snowfall.
During the most recent La Niña event from 2017-2018, a paltry 25.7 inches of snow was tallied at Denver International Airport for the entire season. The last time that the Denver area saw seasonal snowfall close to average during a La Niña was in the winter of 2011-2012, when 55 inches was recorded.
It is important to note that these outlooks only characterize the trends, averaged over the three month period from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28. Within that period, Colorado can still expect quite a few snow events and blasts of bitter chill.
Now is a good time to prepare your vehicles, home and family for the hazardous winter weather that lies ahead. But when all gets averaged together at the end of the winter, odds favor this one going down in the record books as warmer and drier than what is normal.
Ben Reppert is a meteorologist with WeatherNation TV.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Healthcare real estate firm eyeing metro Denver for corporate headquarters

A multibillion-dollar California real estate investment trust and the U.S. arm of a Japanese aerospace firm are considering locating their headquarters in metro Denver , according to incentive requests approved this week by the Colorado Economic Development Commission .
Healthpeak Properties , a real estate investment trust based in Irvine , Calif. , was approved for up to $ 5.3 million in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits if it brings 166 net new full-time jobs to the state .
The company , which applied under the codename Project Pegasus , expects the primarily executive-level jobs will pay an average annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It would be the highest projected average annual wage if they move forward with Colorado , ” said Jill McGranahan , a spokeswoman for the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade .
One question around Healthpeak ’ s award is whether it could actually take advantage of those state tax credits .
Real estate investment trusts must pay out 90 % of their profits as dividends to investors , meaning it may not be much state income to offset for tax purposes .
Jim Croy , a senior vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EDC on a video call that the company is “ very interested in Colorado.
” The trust focuses on investing in life science facilities , medical offices , and senior housing .
Croy described metro Denver as being closer to its markets and a better location than Irvine .
Healthpeak , which has a market value of $ 14.7 billion , is also considering Nashville and Dallas for its new headquarters .
Another Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit award , worth up to $ 1.13 million , was approved for the U.S. subsidiary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lander capable of delivering payloads to the moon .
The U.S. headquarters would employ 48 people over the next five years with an average wage of $ 118,333 .
The company , which applied as Project Cosmic Sphere , also is looking to build a plant to manufacture its landers , although it is not certain if that would locate near the U.S. office .
The company is looking at a $ 40 million capital investment and considering locations in Texas and Florida as well .
Developing logistics capabilities to the moon will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , Vicky Lea , director of aerospace and aviation at the Metro Denver Economic Development Commission , told the EDC .
Aurora and Colorado Springs are in the running to permanently host the U.S. Space Command .
Landing that newly established military branch could attract a host of aerospace companies .

A multibillion-dollar California real estate investment trust and the U.S. arm of a Japanese aerospace firm are considering locating their headquarters in metro Denver, according to incentive requests approved this week by the Colorado Economic Development Commission.
Healthpeak Properties, a real estate investment trust based in Irvine, Calif., was approved for up to $5.3 million in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits if it brings 166 net new full-time jobs to the state. The company, which applied under the codename Project Pegasus, expects the primarily executive-level jobs will pay an average annual wage of $425,213 a year.
“It would be the highest projected average annual wage if they move forward with Colorado,” said Jill McGranahan, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade.
One question around Healthpeak’s award is whether it could actually take advantage of those state tax credits. Real estate investment trusts must pay out 90% of their profits as dividends to investors, meaning it may not be much state income to offset for tax purposes.
Jim Croy, a senior vice president at Healthpeak, told members of the EDC on a video call that the company is “very interested in Colorado.” The trust focuses on investing in life science facilities, medical offices, and senior housing. Croy described metro Denver as being closer to its markets and a better location than Irvine.
Healthpeak, which has a market value of $14.7 billion, is also considering Nashville and Dallas for its new headquarters.
Another Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit award, worth up to $1.13 million, was approved for the U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese company developing a lunar lander capable of delivering payloads to the moon. The U.S. headquarters would employ 48 people over the next five years with an average wage of $118,333.
The company, which applied as Project Cosmic Sphere, also is looking to build a plant to manufacture its landers, although it is not certain if that would locate near the U.S. office. The company is looking at a $40 million capital investment and considering locations in Texas and Florida as well.
Developing logistics capabilities to the moon will in turn make upcoming deep space missions possible, Vicky Lea, director of aerospace and aviation at the Metro Denver Economic Development Commission, told the EDC.
Aurora and Colorado Springs are in the running to permanently host the U.S. Space Command. Landing that newly established military branch could attract a host of aerospace companies.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Inside the social world of a shift-scheduling app

Zoom fatigue , layoffs in Slack chat , reply-all meltdowns and the general destruction of work-life boundaries : The digitized plight of the white-collar office employee , 9-to-5-ing remotely , has been documented extensively .
In non-white-collar industries , hit even harder by the pandemic — small businesses like restaurants , bars and independent retailers — managers have spent much of this year dealing with more immediate and brutal dilemmas , making major staff cuts and furloughs , navigating complicated loan applications , and weighing closures both temporary and permanent .
Their employees , many unable to collect unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not only eager for work but also wary of its new risks .
The pandemic has accelerated the service industry ’ s embrace of new tech tools , many of which are being adapted to the industry ’ s peculiar new needs .
Online delivery platforms like Grubhub and Uber Eats became vital — and sometimes demanding — partners for restaurants where takeout had been an afterthought .
Plans for touch-screen tableside ordering were expedited .
Reservation and point-of-sale software is now being updated to help restaurants comply with new and frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some changes are less visible .
Apps used for assigning and trading shifts have become , for some workers , the last thin thread connecting them to their jobs and colleagues .
In the beginning of September , HotSchedules , an employee scheduling and communications app , was one of the 10 bestselling apps in Apple ’ s App Store , just ahead of the hugely popular Plague Inc. — a pandemic simulation game — and FaceTune , the photo touch-up app .
HotSchedules ’ downloads tell a story : In March and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent home , it was crowded out by apps used for remote schooling and work ; by May and especially June , it had come roaring back .
Temporarily closed restaurants and bars were , to different degrees and at different times , returning to business as usual .
HotSchedules , which is based in Austin , Texas , was founded in 1999 and released its first web-based scheduling system in 2000 .
In 2008 , it released its first smartphone app , and in 2019 it merged with Fourth , a company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analytics and inventory-tracking software .
While HotSchedules is primarily used for setting work schedules , it also includes email-style messaging that owners , managers and employees can use to talk .
In many workplaces , this talk is limited to official business and haggling over shifts ; in some , HotSchedules becomes a de facto social network .
DM-ing with ( and around ) the boss Amber Hitchcock , 27 , who works at a steakhouse in Florida , said that most employees use the app for its intended purpose .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I have a pressure-washing business , ’ or , like , ‘ Here ’ s a cat I found.
’ ” How people use the service is largely a reflection of workplace culture .
A restaurant worker in South Carolina , who was granted anonymity by The New York Times to protect his job , described how a male co-worker once used the app to send inappropriate messages to a woman he worked with ; when the co-worker was let go , he sent a message to the entire staff lashing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at its core , a tool for managers , and so managers dictate how , and how well , it ’ s used .
“ I ’ ve used HotSchedules at four to five different restaurants now , ” said Sierra Cordell , a supervisor at a restaurant in Denver .
“ I ’ ve worked places where it was discouraged to use it for anything other than strictly scheduling , ” Cordell said , “ but at other places , we ’ ve set up our fantasy football league through HotSchedules messaging.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were ordered to close for in-house service , Cordell ’ s employer told staff members they wouldn ’ t be working for a while .
“ One server sent out a lot of very detailed information about unemployment in Colorado and sent over some helpful tips regarding getting contact with the unemployment office , ” Cordell said .
Chatter shifted to Facebook and group texts until June , when workers started getting their first notifications from HotSchedules : Shifts were once again available .
Since then the app has been key as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service , coronavirus precautions and staffing issues .
In the early days of the pandemic , Sara Porcheddu , a bartender and server in Cambridge , Massachusetts , was similarly encouraged by how communicative her employer was on HotSchedules .
When she and her colleagues were furloughed in March , the communication continued : messages about “ local emergency funds we could apply for , unemployment insurance tips , when and how we could pick up our final tip and wage checks , as well as being generally warm and supportive , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week quickly turned into radio silence , ” Porcheddu said .
“ It became clear things would be closed a lot longer than we anticipated.
” She didn ’ t receive any HotSchedules notifications for weeks ; eventually she stopped checking it .
Her workplace had never been especially social on HotSchedules — perhaps , Porcheddu said , “ influenced by rumors that our general manager had access to any messages we sent to each other.
” Instead , the app was mostly used for shift swapping and looking up contact information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an outside spokeswoman for HotSchedules , shared the company ’ s response : that managers do not have routine access to employee messages ; in cases where there is “ legitimate cause for concern , such as legal , health or physical or mental well-being , ” the company said , a manager can submit a request to the company for access . )
Still , in the early days of the pandemic it was Porcheddu ’ s sole source of information about her workplace , and her job .
In June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The restaurant ’ s account had been deactivated .
She ’ s been checking in on former colleagues and managers on social media , looking , and asking , for clues about possible reopening .
As far as she knows , she ’ s been “ furloughed ” for six months .
Other restaurant workers , physically cut off from their workplaces , shared similarly surreal experiences .
Alex , a 22-year-old server in central Ohio , was eight months pregnant when the small restaurant she worked at shut down ; she gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was exhausted from taking care of my newborn at the time so I wasn ’ t logging on to HotSchedules all that much , ” she said .
In the middle of May , she and her mother , who worked at the same restaurant , logged in to see if there were any updates .
They were locked out .
“ There was no communication and no explanation , ” she said .
Just an error message .
Worried about her eligibility for unemployment benefits , Alex was eventually able to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who provided a fuller story : There had been staff cuts , and she was among them .
Apps like HotSchedules share an attitude , and central tension , with their white-collar counterparts , like Slack , Microsoft Teams and Google ’ s G Suite , and encourage somewhat free and casual exchange .
These apps often obscure , although not always effectively , conventional power dynamics .
Remote work during the pandemic , which has shifted more time and labor to such platforms , has sharpened the contrast between how such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually for : productivity , efficiency and helping companies keep track of their workforces .
Some firms are using new software to comprehensively monitor remote workers , while others are seeing how close they can get with the tools they already expect employees to use .
Employees returning to work in virtually every industry are realizing that their jobs , if they ’ re lucky enough to have kept them , aren ’ t the same ones they left .
Safely meeting basic business needs is complicated enough , and additional in-person interaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the extent it still exists , even in workplaces where presence is mandatory , has been nudged online .
A restaurant , of course , is not a tech start-up , and compared with the overlapping communications systems used for remote office work , the social veneer of a service like HotSchedules is thin .
( The app asks workers how they might rate their recent shifts , using emoji . )
Still , messaging is one of the app ’ s most robust functions ; according to the company , employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day , even during a period of curtailed work .
“ One of the ways employees have stayed engaged is using the communications tools , ” said Casey Clinkenbeard , who works in product development for HotSchedules .
“ It ’ s kind of like a watering hole.
” The problem is , with reduced or eliminated in-person interactions , there isn ’ t much to talk about except anxiety and fear about job security and health .
One factor in HotSchedules ’ sudden spike in popularity may be a new feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer a health survey before they ’ re able to schedule a shift .
With more than 6,000 customers accounting for more than 35,000 different locations — mostly restaurants and bars — HotSchedules has an unusually clear view of how the pandemic has shocked the service industry .
It ’ s clear from their data , for example , that larger chains and takeout-ready restaurants have fared much better than their smaller counterparts .
Reopened quick-service restaurants have returned to and sometimes exceeded prepandemic staffing levels .
In contrast , HotSchedules recorded a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants from a peak of 39 at the beginning of March to 25 at the beginning of August — a statistic that excludes restaurants that closed altogether .

By John Herrman
Zoom fatigue, layoffs in Slack chat, reply-all meltdowns and the general destruction of work-life boundaries: The digitized plight of the white-collar office employee, 9-to-5-ing remotely, has been documented extensively.
In non-white-collar industries, hit even harder by the pandemic — small businesses like restaurants, bars and independent retailers — managers have spent much of this year dealing with more immediate and brutal dilemmas, making major staff cuts and furloughs, navigating complicated loan applications, and weighing closures both temporary and permanent. Their employees, many unable to collect unemployment benefits that are now running out anyway, are not only eager for work but also wary of its new risks.
The pandemic has accelerated the service industry’s embrace of new tech tools, many of which are being adapted to the industry’s peculiar new needs. Online delivery platforms like Grubhub and Uber Eats became vital — and sometimes demanding — partners for restaurants where takeout had been an afterthought.
Plans for touch-screen tableside ordering were expedited. Reservation and point-of-sale software is now being updated to help restaurants comply with new and frequently changing state-by-state capacity and spacing rules.
Some changes are less visible. Apps used for assigning and trading shifts have become, for some workers, the last thin thread connecting them to their jobs and colleagues.
In the beginning of September, HotSchedules, an employee scheduling and communications app, was one of the 10 bestselling apps in Apple’s App Store, just ahead of the hugely popular Plague Inc. — a pandemic simulation game — and FaceTune, the photo touch-up app.
HotSchedules’ downloads tell a story: In March and April, when many service workers were sent home, it was crowded out by apps used for remote schooling and work; by May and especially June, it had come roaring back. Temporarily closed restaurants and bars were, to different degrees and at different times, returning to business as usual.
HotSchedules, which is based in Austin, Texas, was founded in 1999 and released its first web-based scheduling system in 2000. In 2008, it released its first smartphone app, and in 2019 it merged with Fourth, a company in London that specializes in payroll, analytics and inventory-tracking software.
While HotSchedules is primarily used for setting work schedules, it also includes email-style messaging that owners, managers and employees can use to talk. In many workplaces, this talk is limited to official business and haggling over shifts; in some, HotSchedules becomes a de facto social network.
DM-ing with (and around) the boss
Amber Hitchcock, 27, who works at a steakhouse in Florida, said that most employees use the app for its intended purpose. “But then people are like, ‘Hey, I have a pressure-washing business,’ or, like, ‘Here’s a cat I found.’ ”
How people use the service is largely a reflection of workplace culture. A restaurant worker in South Carolina, who was granted anonymity by The New York Times to protect his job, described how a male co-worker once used the app to send inappropriate messages to a woman he worked with; when the co-worker was let go, he sent a message to the entire staff lashing out at his managers.
HotSchedules is, at its core, a tool for managers, and so managers dictate how, and how well, it’s used.
“I’ve used HotSchedules at four to five different restaurants now,” said Sierra Cordell, a supervisor at a restaurant in Denver. “I’ve worked places where it was discouraged to use it for anything other than strictly scheduling,” Cordell said, “but at other places, we’ve set up our fantasy football league through HotSchedules messaging.”
In March, when local restaurants were ordered to close for in-house service, Cordell’s employer told staff members they wouldn’t be working for a while. “One server sent out a lot of very detailed information about unemployment in Colorado and sent over some helpful tips regarding getting contact with the unemployment office,” Cordell said.
Chatter shifted to Facebook and group texts until June, when workers started getting their first notifications from HotSchedules: Shifts were once again available. Since then the app has been key as a hub for weekly updates about changes to service, coronavirus precautions and staffing issues.
In the early days of the pandemic, Sara Porcheddu, a bartender and server in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was similarly encouraged by how communicative her employer was on HotSchedules. When she and her colleagues were furloughed in March, the communication continued: messages about “local emergency funds we could apply for, unemployment insurance tips, when and how we could pick up our final tip and wage checks, as well as being generally warm and supportive,” she said.
“A few posts a week quickly turned into radio silence,” Porcheddu said. “It became clear things would be closed a lot longer than we anticipated.” She didn’t receive any HotSchedules notifications for weeks; eventually she stopped checking it.
Her workplace had never been especially social on HotSchedules — perhaps, Porcheddu said, “influenced by rumors that our general manager had access to any messages we sent to each other.”
Instead, the app was mostly used for shift swapping and looking up contact information for other employees. (Madison McGillicuddy, an outside spokeswoman for HotSchedules, shared the company’s response: that managers do not have routine access to employee messages; in cases where there is “legitimate cause for concern, such as legal, health or physical or mental well-being,” the company said, a manager can submit a request to the company for access.)
Still, in the early days of the pandemic it was Porcheddu’s sole source of information about her workplace, and her job. In June, she checked for an update. The restaurant’s account had been deactivated.
She’s been checking in on former colleagues and managers on social media, looking, and asking, for clues about possible reopening. As far as she knows, she’s been “furloughed” for six months.
Other restaurant workers, physically cut off from their workplaces, shared similarly surreal experiences.
Alex, a 22-year-old server in central Ohio, was eight months pregnant when the small restaurant she worked at shut down; she gave birth the next day.
“I was exhausted from taking care of my newborn at the time so I wasn’t logging on to HotSchedules all that much,” she said. In the middle of May, she and her mother, who worked at the same restaurant, logged in to see if there were any updates. They were locked out.
“There was no communication and no explanation,” she said. Just an error message.
Worried about her eligibility for unemployment benefits, Alex was eventually able to get in touch with a manager by phone, who provided a fuller story: There had been staff cuts, and she was among them.
Brave new world of workplace chat
Apps like HotSchedules share an attitude, and central tension, with their white-collar counterparts, like Slack, Microsoft Teams and Google’s G Suite, and encourage somewhat free and casual exchange. These apps often obscure, although not always effectively, conventional power dynamics.
Remote work during the pandemic, which has shifted more time and labor to such platforms, has sharpened the contrast between how such tools feel and what they’re actually for: productivity, efficiency and helping companies keep track of their workforces.
Some firms are using new software to comprehensively monitor remote workers, while others are seeing how close they can get with the tools they already expect employees to use.
Employees returning to work in virtually every industry are realizing that their jobs, if they’re lucky enough to have kept them, aren’t the same ones they left. Safely meeting basic business needs is complicated enough, and additional in-person interaction is widely discouraged. Workplace socializing, to the extent it still exists, even in workplaces where presence is mandatory, has been nudged online.
A restaurant, of course, is not a tech start-up, and compared with the overlapping communications systems used for remote office work, the social veneer of a service like HotSchedules is thin. (The app asks workers how they might rate their recent shifts, using emoji.) Still, messaging is one of the app’s most robust functions; according to the company, employees interact with it on average 3.5 times per day, even during a period of curtailed work.
“One of the ways employees have stayed engaged is using the communications tools,” said Casey Clinkenbeard, who works in product development for HotSchedules. “It’s kind of like a watering hole.”
The problem is, with reduced or eliminated in-person interactions, there isn’t much to talk about except anxiety and fear about job security and health.
One factor in HotSchedules’ sudden spike in popularity may be a new feature: an option to require employees to answer a health survey before they’re able to schedule a shift.
With more than 6,000 customers accounting for more than 35,000 different locations — mostly restaurants and bars — HotSchedules has an unusually clear view of how the pandemic has shocked the service industry.
It’s clear from their data, for example, that larger chains and takeout-ready restaurants have fared much better than their smaller counterparts. Reopened quick-service restaurants have returned to and sometimes exceeded prepandemic staffing levels. In contrast, HotSchedules recorded a drop in average scheduled staffers at table-service restaurants from a peak of 39 at the beginning of March to 25 at the beginning of August — a statistic that excludes restaurants that closed altogether.


thedenverpost--2020-10-17--Lee Keltner built reputation as skilled hat-maker and “very strong patriot” before joining protest f

Lee Keltner built reputation as skilled hat-maker and “very strong patriot” before joining protest front lines

For two decades before Lee Keltner ’ s name became nationally recognized as the shooting victim in an altercation following dueling political rallies in Denver , he was well-known locally for his custom western hats — and not so much for his politics .
Friends and business associates said he put devotion and care into his craft , building a reputation as a skilled hat-maker .
They remember a lightheartedness and a goofy sense of humor , though it also was clear the U.S. Navy veteran considered himself a proud patriot .
“ It ’ s a hard thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western kind of guy , ” recalled Steve Weil , president of Rockmount Ranch Wear on Wazee Street in downtown Denver , who for years sold Keltner the basic hats he ’ d customize .
“ You know , he lived the western lifestyle .
He was the real deal .
And his customers were probably the core western market , not so much wannabes .
… They wear western every day.
” But by this year , Keltner , 49 , was drawn to political action .
As police came under fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter movement , family members have said , Keltner felt a need to show his support for law enforcement .
He attended multiple demonstrations and counter-protests and posted about his experiences on social media , signaling a willingness to tangle with protesters on the other side .
“ He wasn ’ t part of any group , ” his son Johnathon “ Jay ” Keltner told The Denver Post on Sunday .
“ He was there to rally for the police department , and he ’ d been down there before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was leaving Saturday ’ s “ Patriot Rally , ” which attracted supporters of varying conservative causes to Denver ’ s Civic Center — along with counter-protesters who participated in a “ BLM-Antifa Soup Drive ” — Keltner was engaged in heated argument with a man , so far unidentified by police , who wore a shirt displaying the slogan “ Black Guns Matter.
” Keltner wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “ BLM : You ’ re ( expletive ) right Bikers lives matter.
” It was during that dispute that Keltner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , confronted a 9News television producer who was recording it , according to videos of the incident .
The producer ’ s bodyguard , Matthew Dolloff , stepped in .
Within a matter of seconds , Keltner slapped Dolloff on the side of the head , and Dolloff drew a handgun and fired it as Keltner discharged the pepper spray .
Keltner died within minutes , after a fateful moment captured on bystanders ’ phones as well as the camera of a Denver Post photographer who ’ d been nearby .
Also witnessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , 24-year-old C.J .
Dolloff , 30 , will face a charge of second-degree murder , the Denver District Attorney ’ s Office said , and his family ’ s lawyer has outlined plans to argue he acted in self-defense .
Meanwhile , 9News has faced questions for its decision to hire contract security guards to accompany its crews to protests , though the station has said Dolloff wasn ’ t supposed to be armed .
Keltner ’ s family members gave brief interviews in the days after the incident .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to speak with The Post or didn ’ t respond to interview requests .
While online fundraisers have attracted financial support for Keltner ’ s family , some have faced harassment on social media from people who attack Keltner ’ s perceived politics or assign him fault for his actions in the incident .
“ At this time because of the evil that happened I ’ m not talking to anyone but family , ” Keltner ’ s mother , Carol , of Jonesboro , Arkansas , wrote in response to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DA ’ s office announced its charging decision Thursday , an attorney issued a statement on behalf of Keltner ’ s wife , Kevin Christine Keltner , and other family members that requested privacy and compassion .
It also said the attorney , William P. Boyle , was still seeking answers from 9News and the two security firms involved in the hiring of Dolloff , who wasn ’ t licensed as a security guard in Denver .
“ The Keltners look forward to justice for Lee and the charges of second-degree murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in that direction , ” Boyle said .
He urged that Keltner be remembered “ as a father , grandfather , a husband and a Colorado artisan.
” Keltner is a longtime resident of Brighton , but his voter registration , submitted in July — and apparently his first voter registration on record in Colorado — listed a residential address in Idaho Springs .
He was affiliated with the American Constitution Party , a conservative minor party .
He got his start in hat-making when he was in his early 20s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Crossfire Hats in 2015 that he moved with his pregnant wife to Durango to learn the trade .
After he started his own business , he built a clientele along the Front Range .
He worked early on out of The Grizzly Rose , a country-western dance hall north of Denver , and later inside the Livestock Exchange Building at the National Western Complex and out of his home , among other locations .
He bought basic hats and reshaped them , adding flourishes or special treatments to order .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s pretty much because of addiction , ” Keltner told The Post in 2015 .
“ It gets in your blood and you get a passion for it .
It ’ s an art , like painting , and I just kept doing it .
I ’ m lucky that I ’ ve been able to make a living out of it for 21 years now.
” A few years earlier , a video series sponsored by the American Angus Association featured the National Western Stock Show and included a segment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I love being an artist and creating new and different things .
Because I do all the work myself , and I do them one at a time , it is truly special for the customer to get a piece of wearable art to show off their personality and their style.
” Donald Graham says he struck up a friendship with Keltner through his business about 20 years ago , meeting him at The Grizzly Rose .
The two struck a deal : In exchange for custom hats , Graham , a budding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keltner ’ s business .
Keltner wore varying costumes and sometimes posed with one of his sons .
“ He was a funny guy , ” Graham said .
“ He was a lot of fun to hang out with .
As a photographer , he was one of the most charismatic actors I ’ ve ever worked with — or models , I ’ d say .
He ’ d dress up and goof off .
… You ’ d see a loving father in one ( photo ) , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hillbilly in another , you ’ d see a law-and-order guy in another .
“ That ’ s just what came out — he could put himself into character so easily.
” Graham later invested in Keltner ’ s business when he was short of money to stock up on inventory , he said .
But he hasn ’ t known him as well in recent years , Graham said , and was shocked to learn of his death outside the rally .
He was searching for answers in the days that followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty well .
He was a very strong patriot , ” said Graham , who works as a construction consultant and commercial drone pilot , though they didn ’ t much talk politics then .
“ He ’ s a veteran , he served in the military .
He would do anything to defend the Constitution and defend the flag.
” “ Like a lot of us , ” he added , “ we ’ re fed up ” — about the tone and tenor of protests against police violence this summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what Graham perceives as derision for conservatives by the left .
Keltner ’ s son said Sunday that his father had slowed down in recent years , since he suffered serious injuries in a wreck on his motorcycle .
“ He was just trying to get by , ” Jay Keltner said .
Earlier , Keltner had run into personal and financial setbacks , with three marriages ending in divorce or annulment , according to court records , and a bankruptcy case , settled in 2012 , that included unpaid medical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife in 2014 at Red Rocks , according to the Denver Clerk and Recorder ’ s Office .
Weil , the Rockmount Ranch Wear president , said he hadn ’ t been in touch with Keltner for the last five years or so .
He said he was taken aback when he learned Keltner had been killed in Saturday ’ s incident .
It made him think of the toxic brew of politics in 2020 , he said — with a pandemic raging , people taking sides in the presidential election and volatile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is polarized , holding little or no respect for the opposing side ’ s beliefs .
“ What has happened to our society that politics becomes deadly ?
” Weil said .
“ What has happened ?
And how do we come back from that ?
”

For two decades before Lee Keltner’s name became nationally recognized as the shooting victim in an altercation following dueling political rallies in Denver, he was well-known locally for his custom western hats — and not so much for his politics.
Friends and business associates said he put devotion and care into his craft, building a reputation as a skilled hat-maker. They remember a lightheartedness and a goofy sense of humor, though it also was clear the U.S. Navy veteran considered himself a proud patriot.
“It’s a hard thing to articulate, but he was your quintessential western kind of guy,” recalled Steve Weil, president of Rockmount Ranch Wear on Wazee Street in downtown Denver, who for years sold Keltner the basic hats he’d customize. “You know, he lived the western lifestyle. He was the real deal. And his customers were probably the core western market, not so much wannabes. … They wear western every day.”
But by this year, Keltner, 49, was drawn to political action. As police came under fire this summer during racial-justice demonstrations by the Black Lives Matter movement, family members have said, Keltner felt a need to show his support for law enforcement.
He attended multiple demonstrations and counter-protests and posted about his experiences on social media, signaling a willingness to tangle with protesters on the other side.
“He wasn’t part of any group,” his son Johnathon “Jay” Keltner told The Denver Post on Sunday. “He was there to rally for the police department, and he’d been down there before rallying for the police department.”
As he was leaving Saturday’s “Patriot Rally,” which attracted supporters of varying conservative causes to Denver’s Civic Center — along with counter-protesters who participated in a “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive” — Keltner was engaged in heated argument with a man, so far unidentified by police, who wore a shirt displaying the slogan “Black Guns Matter.” Keltner wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “BLM: You’re (expletive) right Bikers lives matter.”
It was during that dispute that Keltner, can of pepper spray in hand, confronted a 9News television producer who was recording it, according to videos of the incident. The producer’s bodyguard, Matthew Dolloff, stepped in. Within a matter of seconds, Keltner slapped Dolloff on the side of the head, and Dolloff drew a handgun and fired it as Keltner discharged the pepper spray.
Keltner died within minutes, after a fateful moment captured on bystanders’ phones as well as the camera of a Denver Post photographer who’d been nearby. Also witnessing the shooting was Keltner’s older son, 24-year-old C.J.
Dolloff, 30, will face a charge of second-degree murder, the Denver District Attorney’s Office said, and his family’s lawyer has outlined plans to argue he acted in self-defense. Meanwhile, 9News has faced questions for its decision to hire contract security guards to accompany its crews to protests, though the station has said Dolloff wasn’t supposed to be armed.
Keltner’s family members gave brief interviews in the days after the incident. But later in the week, several either declined to speak with The Post or didn’t respond to interview requests. While online fundraisers have attracted financial support for Keltner’s family, some members have faced harassment on social media from people who attack Keltner’s perceived politics or assign him fault for his actions in the incident.
“At this time because of the evil that happened I’m not talking to anyone but family,” Keltner’s mother, Carol, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, wrote in response to The Post’s interview request.
After the DA’s office announced its charging decision Thursday, an attorney issued a statement on behalf of Keltner’s wife, Kevin Christine Keltner, and other family members that requested privacy and compassion. It also said the attorney, William P. Boyle, was still seeking answers from 9News and the two security firms involved in the hiring of Dolloff, who wasn’t licensed as a security guard in Denver.
“The Keltners look forward to justice for Lee and the charges of second-degree murder against Mr. Dolloff … are the first step in that direction,” Boyle said.
He urged that Keltner be remembered “as a father, grandfather, a husband and a Colorado artisan.”
Keltner is a longtime resident of Brighton, but his voter registration, submitted in July — and apparently his first voter registration on record in Colorado — listed a residential address in Idaho Springs. He was affiliated with the American Constitution Party, a conservative minor party.
He got his start in hat-making when he was in his early 20s, telling The Post for a business feature on Crossfire Hats in 2015 that he moved with his pregnant wife to Durango to learn the trade.
After he started his own business, he built a clientele along the Front Range. He worked early on out of The Grizzly Rose, a country-western dance hall north of Denver, and later inside the Livestock Exchange Building at the National Western Complex and out of his home, among other locations. He bought basic hats and reshaped them, adding flourishes or special treatments to order.
“When you work behind the hat counter, it’s pretty much because of addiction,” Keltner told The Post in 2015. “It gets in your blood and you get a passion for it. It’s an art, like painting, and I just kept doing it. I’m lucky that I’ve been able to make a living out of it for 21 years now.”
A few years earlier, a video series sponsored by the American Angus Association featured the National Western Stock Show and included a segment on Keltner, who said: “I love being an artist and creating new and different things. Because I do all the work myself, and I do them one at a time, it is truly special for the customer to get a piece of wearable art to show off their personality and their style.”
Donald Graham says he struck up a friendship with Keltner through his business about 20 years ago, meeting him at The Grizzly Rose.
The two struck a deal: In exchange for custom hats, Graham, a budding photographer, would take marketing photos for Keltner’s business. Keltner wore varying costumes and sometimes posed with one of his sons.
“He was a funny guy,” Graham said. “He was a lot of fun to hang out with. As a photographer, he was one of the most charismatic actors I’ve ever worked with — or models, I’d say. He’d dress up and goof off. … You’d see a loving father in one (photo), you’d see a sort of a back-hills hillbilly in another, you’d see a law-and-order guy in another.
“That’s just what came out — he could put himself into character so easily.”
Graham later invested in Keltner’s business when he was short of money to stock up on inventory, he said. But he hasn’t known him as well in recent years, Graham said, and was shocked to learn of his death outside the rally.
He was searching for answers in the days that followed.
“Well, I knew Lee pretty well. He was a very strong patriot,” said Graham, who works as a construction consultant and commercial drone pilot, though they didn’t much talk politics then. “He’s a veteran, he served in the military. He would do anything to defend the Constitution and defend the flag.”
“Like a lot of us,” he added, “we’re fed up” — about the tone and tenor of protests against police violence this summer, about the all-or-nothing tone of national politics and what Graham perceives as derision for conservatives by the left.
Keltner’s son said Sunday that his father had slowed down in recent years, since he suffered serious injuries in a wreck on his motorcycle.
“He was just trying to get by,” Jay Keltner said.
Earlier, Keltner had run into personal and financial setbacks, with three marriages ending in divorce or annulment, according to court records, and a bankruptcy case, settled in 2012, that included unpaid medical and business debts. He married his current wife in 2014 at Red Rocks, according to the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
Weil, the Rockmount Ranch Wear president, said he hadn’t been in touch with Keltner for the last five years or so. He said he was taken aback when he learned Keltner had been killed in Saturday’s incident.
It made him think of the toxic brew of politics in 2020, he said — with a pandemic raging, people taking sides in the presidential election and volatile clashes in the streets. Each side is polarized, holding little or no respect for the opposing side’s beliefs.
“What has happened to our society that politics becomes deadly?” Weil said. “What has happened? And how do we come back from that?”
Denver Post staff writer Elise Schmelzer contributed to this story.