thedenverpost--2020-05-07--STEM School Highlands Ranch community remembers a school shooting amid a pandemic

More than six months ago , STEM School Highlands Ranch recovery coordinator Hannah Reese thought about May 7 , 2020 , and how to commemorate the shooting that devastated the school a year prior .
She polled students , staff and families and asked them how they wanted to mark the year that had passed since the May 7 , 2019 , shooting that killed 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo and wounded eight other students .
Overwhelmingly , Reese said , people said they wanted to be together and to support one another as memories of that day floated even closer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning field trips where students could volunteer in the community and other group events .
Then in March , as schools closed and gatherings were limited , Reese needed to change plans quickly .
The day of service became a digital campaign for acts of kindness .
Instead of meeting in classrooms and talking in-person , teachers will lead their students in yoga and other restorative practices online .
The physical opening of a center aimed at supporting those affected by the shooting has been delayed .
For the second year in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community is ending its school year amid disruption and uncertainty .
“ As you can you imagine , it ’ s not easy for everybody , ” Reese said .
“ But our students and our families are remarkably resilient.
” But long term changes in the school and other organizations associated with the shooting remain , despite the pandemic .
Months-old support groups continue to meet , albeit online .
Law enforcement in Douglas County have changed how they work with young people with mental health needs , as well how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the school , in virtual classrooms and via texts , students and staff continue to check with each other , Reese said .
“ Our focus is really just helping everybody take their next tiny steps that they need , ” Reese said .
From a deputy ’ s suicide to the STEM School shooting to a life-altering pandemic , the Douglas County Sheriff ’ s Office has been bludgeoned with tragedy and difficult situations in the past year .
As the anniversary of the shooting approached , Sheriff Tony Spurlock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his deputies to gather and remember .
He hoped that they could attend events with the broader community affected by the shooting .
“ Those scabs are there , and everyone knows that scab is going to get pulled off , ” Spurlock said .
“ We know that.
” Moments from the day of the shooting remain etched in Spurlock ’ s memory : watching a sergeant carry a wounded student out of the school on his shoulder , the unexpected burst of rain that afternoon and the humid sadness that followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngest students as they were herded onto buses to leave the campus .
But beyond a few staff members who will attend a graveside memorial for Kendrick Castillo , all of the events the sheriff ’ s office is participating in will be virtual .
At the exact time of the shooting , deputies ’ radios will go silent for a moment of reflection .
“ It just compounds our stress a little bit with this COVID-19 , ” Spurlock said .
“ We can ’ t get all together like we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ways to honor and respect Kendrick and others who were shot and injured.
” The shooting created long-term changes at the agency .
The department created a unit of a deputy and a mental health professional to respond to juvenile mental health needs .
The peer support program for deputies and other mental health resources ramped up and expanded so deputies now have 24-hour access .
“ We had some mechanism for that , but STEM really opened it up that we had this new wound we needed to fix and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” he said .
The agency also rebuilt its relationship with the school after previous conflicts over security .
A new school resource officer , Jose Uribe , started at STEM School in the fall and has worked to help students and staff feel safe again .
All deputies will continue to wear a blue and gold “ STEM Strong ” pin on their uniforms for the next three years — until the class of freshmen on the day of the shooting graduates .
“ Those kids were there , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now seniors .
They ’ re still impacted , and we need to remember that .
This isn ’ t going to go away.
” The impact of the May 7 event is not limited to the current students , staff and families , however .
Many of the seniors who were in the classrooms have since moved on to college or jobs .
Staff have left the school , but still carry the trauma from the shooting .
Church and restaurant workers nearby helped students fleeing the school during the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leaders of the new STEM Center for Strength hope to serve .
The independent center in a business building across the street from STEM School Highlands Ranch will offer free mental health services to anyone affected by the tragedy as well as space for yoga classes , music therapy , support groups and community gatherings .
“ It ’ s meant to be a warm and welcoming space , ” said Cynthia Grant , chief clinical officer at AllHealth Network , the nonprofit leading the creation of the center .
“ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very informal .
It ’ s a place to gather.
” The center , named by STEM School students and funded with grants through August 2022 , follows the model of similar spaces created in the wake of mass violence , like in Newtown , Connecticut , and Parkland , Florida , Grant said .
The center is affiliated with the STEM School Highlands Ranch , but the school has no authority over the center .
That separation is important , Grant said , because it allows people to find community and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and without having to step inside .
“ A school is centered on education .
They have mental health resources , but there can also be concerns about confidentiality and privacy , ” she said .
Organizers planned to open the center in late March , but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the physical opening .
Like many other entities , AllHealth pivoted some of its services online .
Support groups that have been meeting since October started meeting on Zoom .
The nonprofit is offering a series of webinars Thursday addressing mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video or phone sessions .
“ It definitely presents a difficult challenge , ” Grant said of not being able to meet in person .
“ It puts more of the onus on the individual to be gentle to themselves and be kind to themselves and find a way to cope.
” It ’ s normal for people affected by trauma to feel anxious , isolated or on edge as the date approaches , Grant said , especially in a world where social media accounts like to remind us where we were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal to experience an increase in emotions , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a very natural part of the healing process for that to happen .
”

More than six months ago, STEM School Highlands Ranch recovery coordinator Hannah Reese thought about May 7, 2020, and how to commemorate the shooting that devastated the school a year prior.
She polled students, staff and families and asked them how they wanted to mark the year that had passed since the May 7, 2019, shooting that killed 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo and wounded eight other students. Overwhelmingly, Reese said, people said they wanted to be together and to support one another as memories of that day floated even closer to the surface than usual. Reese started planning field trips where students could volunteer in the community and other group events.
Then in March, as schools closed and gatherings were limited, Reese needed to change plans quickly. The day of service became a digital campaign for acts of kindness. Instead of meeting in classrooms and talking in-person, teachers will lead their students in yoga and other restorative practices online. The physical opening of a center aimed at supporting those affected by the shooting has been delayed.
For the second year in a row, the STEM School Highlands Ranch community is ending its school year amid disruption and uncertainty.
“As you can you imagine, it’s not easy for everybody,” Reese said. “But our students and our families are remarkably resilient.”
But long term changes in the school and other organizations associated with the shooting remain, despite the pandemic. Months-old support groups continue to meet, albeit online. Law enforcement in Douglas County have changed how they work with young people with mental health needs, as well how they help their own in dealing with trauma. At the school, in virtual classrooms and via texts, students and staff continue to check with each other, Reese said.
“Our focus is really just helping everybody take their next tiny steps that they need,” Reese said.
Continuing remembrance
From a deputy’s suicide to the STEM School shooting to a life-altering pandemic, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has been bludgeoned with tragedy and difficult situations in the past year.
Mental health resources Colorado Crisis Line : 1-844-493-8255, coloradocrisisservices.org. Chat online or text TALK to 38255.
: 1-844-493-8255, coloradocrisisservices.org. Chat online or text TALK to 38255. Mental Health First Aid : mhfaco.org. Get trained to recognize the signs and how to respond.
: mhfaco.org. Get trained to recognize the signs and how to respond. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention : afsp.org. Join one of their upcoming walks for awareness in Colorado.
: afsp.org. Join one of their upcoming walks for awareness in Colorado. Crisis Text Line : crisistextline.org. Text 741741 from anywhere in the nation to reach a counselor.
: crisistextline.org. Text 741741 from anywhere in the nation to reach a counselor. Second Wind Fund : thesecondwindfund.org. Links students to mental health professionals and pays for up to 12 counseling sessions.
: thesecondwindfund.org. Links students to mental health professionals and pays for up to 12 counseling sessions. Safe2Tell: safe2tell.org Anonymously report 24/7 online, via the app or by calling 1-877-542-7233.
As the anniversary of the shooting approached, Sheriff Tony Spurlock hoped there would be a chance for his deputies to gather and remember. He hoped that they could attend events with the broader community affected by the shooting.
“Those scabs are there, and everyone knows that scab is going to get pulled off,” Spurlock said. “We know that.”
Moments from the day of the shooting remain etched in Spurlock’s memory: watching a sergeant carry a wounded student out of the school on his shoulder, the unexpected burst of rain that afternoon and the humid sadness that followed, the startling composure of even the youngest students as they were herded onto buses to leave the campus.
But beyond a few staff members who will attend a graveside memorial for Kendrick Castillo, all of the events the sheriff’s office is participating in will be virtual. At the exact time of the shooting, deputies’ radios will go silent for a moment of reflection.
“It just compounds our stress a little bit with this COVID-19,” Spurlock said. “We can’t get all together like we want to. So we’re figuring out ways to honor and respect Kendrick and others who were shot and injured.”
The shooting created long-term changes at the agency. The department created a unit of a deputy and a mental health professional to respond to juvenile mental health needs. The peer support program for deputies and other mental health resources ramped up and expanded so deputies now have 24-hour access.
“We had some mechanism for that, but STEM really opened it up that we had this new wound we needed to fix and a lot of things fell in place with it,” he said.
The agency also rebuilt its relationship with the school after previous conflicts over security. A new school resource officer, Jose Uribe, started at STEM School in the fall and has worked to help students and staff feel safe again.
All deputies will continue to wear a blue and gold “STEM Strong” pin on their uniforms for the next three years — until the class of freshmen on the day of the shooting graduates.
“Those kids were there,” Spurlock said. “The juniors are now seniors. They’re still impacted, and we need to remember that. This isn’t going to go away.”
A new center for strength
The impact of the May 7 event is not limited to the current students, staff and families, however.
Many of the seniors who were in the classrooms have since moved on to college or jobs. Staff have left the school, but still carry the trauma from the shooting. Church and restaurant workers nearby helped students fleeing the school during the incident.
And that’s the broader community the leaders of the new STEM Center for Strength hope to serve. The independent center in a business building across the street from STEM School Highlands Ranch will offer free mental health services to anyone affected by the tragedy as well as space for yoga classes, music therapy, support groups and community gatherings.
“It’s meant to be a warm and welcoming space,” said Cynthia Grant, chief clinical officer at AllHealth Network, the nonprofit leading the creation of the center. “A lot of the programming at the center is very informal. It’s a place to gather.”
The center, named by STEM School students and funded with grants through August 2022, follows the model of similar spaces created in the wake of mass violence, like in Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, Grant said.
The center is affiliated with the STEM School Highlands Ranch, but the school has no authority over the center. That separation is important, Grant said, because it allows people to find community and support regardless of their opinion of the school and without having to step inside.
“A school is centered on education. They have mental health resources, but there can also be concerns about confidentiality and privacy,” she said.
Organizers planned to open the center in late March, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the physical opening. Like many other entities, AllHealth pivoted some of its services online. Support groups that have been meeting since October started meeting on Zoom. The nonprofit is offering a series of webinars Thursday addressing mental health needs as well as free one-on-one video or phone sessions.
“It definitely presents a difficult challenge,” Grant said of not being able to meet in person. “It puts more of the onus on the individual to be gentle to themselves and be kind to themselves and find a way to cope.”
It’s normal for people affected by trauma to feel anxious, isolated or on edge as the date approaches, Grant said, especially in a world where social media accounts like to remind us where we were a year ago.
“It’s normal to experience an increase in emotions,” she said. “It’s a very natural part of the healing process for that to happen.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Denver weather: Strong winds, high fire danger Thursday

Strong winds and extremely dry conditions will lead to dangerous fire conditions across the Front Range on Thursday .
Wind gusts up to 50 mph coupled with low humidity levels could lead to unusually high fire conditions on Thursday afternoon for much of the Interstate 25 urban corridor .
The National Weather Service in Boulder issued a red flag warning for most of the day on Thursday , and the warning includes the entire Denver metro area as well as Colorado Springs .
“ Burning of any kind is not suggested , and use caution with any type of flame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Thursday ’ s winds .
In Denver , winds could gust up to 45 mph , with potentially higher gusts east and north of the city .
That ’ ll lead to the possibility of trash cans getting blown over , downed trees branches and perhaps some isolated power outages .
The strongest winds will likely take place on Thursday afternoon .
More significantly , however , relative humidity values could drop below 10 % , rapidly increasing fire danger today .
A dry front will push in cooler but windier weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early afternoon hours , and the moisture-starved air mass will make fire danger especially prevalent later on .
“ These conditions combined with drier fuels pose a significant fire risk by the afternoon hours into the early evening , ” the National Weather Service said.. Generally speaking , fire danger is fueled by three distinct factors : gusty winds , dry weather and warm temperatures .
All three will be in place on Thursday , with highs near 70 degrees .
Winds should quickly taper off around sunset on Thursday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place north and east of Denver .
Following Thursday ’ s winds , temperatures will cool down into the upper 50s for a high under sunny skies on Friday .
Temperatures should quickly bounce back by the weekend , though , with highs near 70 expected on both Saturday and Sunday .

Strong winds and extremely dry conditions will lead to dangerous fire conditions across the Front Range on Thursday.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph coupled with low humidity levels could lead to unusually high fire conditions on Thursday afternoon for much of the Interstate 25 urban corridor.
The National Weather Service in Boulder issued a red flag warning for most of the day on Thursday, and the warning includes the entire Denver metro area as well as Colorado Springs.
“Burning of any kind is not suggested, and use caution with any type of flame,” the National Weather Service said about Thursday’s winds.
Critical fire danger in parts of the state today and Thursday. Be careful, limit activities that could start fires. #cowx pic.twitter.com/LebFIs0FGa — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) May 6, 2020
In Denver, winds could gust up to 45 mph, with potentially higher gusts east and north of the city. That’ll lead to the possibility of trash cans getting blown over, downed trees branches and perhaps some isolated power outages. The strongest winds will likely take place on Thursday afternoon.
More significantly, however, relative humidity values could drop below 10%, rapidly increasing fire danger today. A dry front will push in cooler but windier weather around midday. Winds will spike during the early afternoon hours, and the moisture-starved air mass will make fire danger especially prevalent later on.
“These conditions combined with drier fuels pose a significant fire risk by the afternoon hours into the early evening,” the National Weather Service said..
Generally speaking, fire danger is fueled by three distinct factors: gusty winds, dry weather and warm temperatures. All three will be in place on Thursday, with highs near 70 degrees.
Winds should quickly taper off around sunset on Thursday night, though some patchy stronger gusts could still take place north and east of Denver.
Following Thursday’s winds, temperatures will cool down into the upper 50s for a high under sunny skies on Friday. Temperatures should quickly bounce back by the weekend, though, with highs near 70 expected on both Saturday and Sunday.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Ask Amy: Sexless marriage worries wife

Ask Amy: Sexless marriage worries wife

Dear Amy : My husband and I have been together for about 10 years .
Ever since having our son four years ago , the thought of physical contact with him makes me cringe .
He ’ s a good-looking man , a great dad , and a hard worker , but something about him makes me not want to be intimate with him .
We both have very strong personalities , so we butt heads , but it ’ s not like we have fights .
My reaction to him is mainly along the line of those internal “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughts .
I don ’ t know what to do .
We have sex about four times a year !
And even THAT is a struggle for me .
I know that can ’ t be healthy or normal .
Help !
Dear Clueless : Your sexless marriage is probably more “ normal ” than you realize .
The first thing you should do is to see your doctor .
Your libido issues might be caused by a hormonal imbalance or other medical problem .
You say that there is something about your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you should also take a deep and honest self-inventory .
The accepted relationship wisdom is that connection starts with communication , but before you can communicate effectively with your husband , you need to try to understand your own motivations , and answer questions about your own intimate identity , including your sexual identity .
The two hardest questions for any of us to answer are : “ Who am I ?
” and “ What do I want ?
” For many women , the answer to these important questions shifts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , men wrestle with this , too – but you have left your husband out of your narrative , which might be completely reflective of where you two are right now : Two devoted parents standing on either side of a 4-year-old .
Couples wandering aimlessly through the desert of desire can learn to talk about it , and they can reconnect if there is a mutual choice to try .
Sex — as you know — really is a head trip .
In order to try to break the pattern , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your thinking .
Check out : “ Why Can ’ t You Read My Mind ?
Overcoming the 9 Toxic Thought Patterns that Get in the Way of a Loving Relationship , ” by Jeffrey Bernstein and Susan Magee ( 2004 , DeCapo Press ) .
Dear Amy : A year ago , I found a great job in my hometown , working for a store that sells CBD ( products derived from marijuana that do NOT make you high ) .
My parents and in-laws were very excited and supportive , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when I told my brother and sister-in-law , they found my new profession to be morally objectionable .
They made it clear that they could not support my new career .
I have not spoken to them in a year .
Since they live across the country , I rarely see them .
I don ’ t miss them and feel relieved not to have contact .
My parents would like for me to mend my relationship with them .
What should I do ?
Dear MJ : It isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be solely responsible for mending the relationship with your brother and sister-in-law .
If they have made bids for contact , then you should respond .
If they ask for forgiveness for being so unkind and judgmental , then you should do your best to forgive them .
Of course , it is not necessary for them to approve of your line of work in order for you to feel validated , so resist any urge to win their acceptance .
Situations like this can sometimes cause long-term estrangements .
An estrangement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even if they basically initiated it , a total break — or the refusal to be even cordial toward one another when family events force you together — will end up hurting everyone , especially your folks .
Parents always want for their children to be close .
If they try to mediate a solution , you should cooperate , and do your best to maintain an attitude of kindness .
Your own kindness , even toward people who have been unkind to you , will make you feel good about all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please stop recommending AA or Al-anon in your column .
There are many other programs designed to help people stop drinking .
Dear Been There : Thank you .
Yes , there are many different approaches and programs to help people cope with alcohol addiction .
I often recommend AA and Al-anon programs because they are free , community led , and available in even the smallest communities .

Dear Amy: My husband and I have been together for about 10 years. Ever since having our son four years ago, the thought of physical contact with him makes me cringe. He’s a good-looking man, a great dad, and a hard worker, but something about him makes me not want to be intimate with him.
We both have very strong personalities, so we butt heads, but it’s not like we have fights. My reaction to him is mainly along the line of those internal “Ugh, he’s clueless” thoughts. I don’t know what to do.
We have sex about four times a year! And even THAT is a struggle for me.
I know that can’t be healthy or normal. Help!
— Clueless
Dear Clueless: Your sexless marriage is probably more “normal” than you realize.
The first thing you should do is to see your doctor. Your libido issues might be caused by a hormonal imbalance or other medical problem.
You say that there is something about your husband that turns you off, but you should also take a deep and honest self-inventory.
The accepted relationship wisdom is that connection starts with communication, but before you can communicate effectively with your husband, you need to try to understand your own motivations, and answer questions about your own intimate identity, including your sexual identity.
The two hardest questions for any of us to answer are: “Who am I?” and “What do I want?” For many women, the answer to these important questions shifts with the advent of motherhood.
Of course, men wrestle with this, too – but you have left your husband out of your narrative, which might be completely reflective of where you two are right now: Two devoted parents standing on either side of a 4-year-old.
Couples wandering aimlessly through the desert of desire can learn to talk about it, and they can reconnect if there is a mutual choice to try.
Sex — as you know — really is a head trip. In order to try to break the pattern, you and your husband may need to retrain your thinking.
Check out: “Why Can’t You Read My Mind? Overcoming the 9 Toxic Thought Patterns that Get in the Way of a Loving Relationship,” by Jeffrey Bernstein and Susan Magee (2004, DeCapo Press).
Dear Amy: A year ago, I found a great job in my hometown, working for a store that sells CBD (products derived from marijuana that do NOT make you high).
My parents and in-laws were very excited and supportive, as were other friends and family. However, when I told my brother and sister-in-law, they found my new profession to be morally objectionable.
They made it clear that they could not support my new career. I have not spoken to them in a year.
Since they live across the country, I rarely see them. I don’t miss them and feel relieved not to have contact.
My parents would like for me to mend my relationship with them. What should I do?
— MJ
Dear MJ: It isn’t clear (to me) why you should be solely responsible for mending the relationship with your brother and sister-in-law. If they have made bids for contact, then you should respond. If they ask for forgiveness for being so unkind and judgmental, then you should do your best to forgive them. Of course, it is not necessary for them to approve of your line of work in order for you to feel validated, so resist any urge to win their acceptance.
Situations like this can sometimes cause long-term estrangements. An estrangement will disrupt your entire family system, and even if they basically initiated it, a total break — or the refusal to be even cordial toward one another when family events force you together — will end up hurting everyone, especially your folks.
Parents always want for their children to be close. If they try to mediate a solution, you should cooperate, and do your best to maintain an attitude of kindness. Your own kindness, even toward people who have been unkind to you, will make you feel good about all of your choices.
Dear Amy: Please stop recommending AA or Al-anon in your column. There are many other programs designed to help people stop drinking.
— Been There
Dear Been There: Thank you. Yes, there are many different approaches and programs to help people cope with alcohol addiction. I often recommend AA and Al-anon programs because they are free, community led, and available in even the smallest communities.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Motorcyclist dies in single-vehicle crash in Thornton

The crash happened at Colorado Boulevard and E-470 , according to police .
Colorado Boulevard was closed in both directions @ @ @ @ @ avoid the area if possible .
The road reopened at about 9:45 p.m. , police @ @

A motorcyclist died Wednesday night in a single-vehicle crash in Thornton.
Traffic investigators on scene of single motorcycle fatal crash at Colorado Blvd. and E470. Driver pronounced deceased. Colorado Blvd closed in both directions. Expect traffic delays. Avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/1w6IlGOTxh — Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) May 7, 2020
The crash happened at Colorado Boulevard and E-470, according to police.
Colorado Boulevard was closed in both directions and police urged drivers to avoid the area if possible. The road reopened at about 9:45 p.m., police said.
An investigation is ongoing.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--PHOTOS: 140th Wing Colorado Air National Guard Flyover Colorado’s Front Range

Chris Dillmann , Vail Daily via the Associated Press Larry Cavanaugh waves an American Flag as Janet , right , @ @ @ @ @ as they fly over Vail on Wednesday , May 6 , 2020 .
The flyover @ @ @ @ @ healthcare workers around Colorado .
The F-16s hit numerous Front Range and mountain towns during @ @ @

Chris Dillmann, Vail Daily via the Associated Press
Larry Cavanaugh waves an American Flag as Janet, right, films two F-16 fighter planes as they fly over Vail on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. The flyover was to pay respect to healthcare workers around Colorado. The F-16s hit numerous Front Range and mountain towns during the flyover.


thedenverpost--2020-05-08--Denver Public Schools likely to mix in-person classes with remote learning beginning in August

Denver Public Schools leadership announced Thursday that the next academic year is expected to begin on time in August , but likely will consist of a mix of in-person and remote learning in an effort to maintain social distancing and prioritize health and safety .
In a Thursday letter to the DPS community , Superintendent Susana Cordova said school will continue to operate differently amid the global coronavirus pandemic , although details haven ’ t been nailed down just yet .
“ Our overriding priority remains the health and well-being of our students and staff , ” Cordova wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance of health experts in developing our plans.
” In March , DPS along with school districts across the state , country and world shuttered their buildings and began transitioning to remote learning in a bid to stop the spread of the highly contagious novel coronavirus .
The unprecedented move disrupted classrooms and hit vulnerable students such as those lacking internet access hardest .
Cordova said more detailed plans would come together in meetings involving principals , teachers , union leaders and central support teams , informed by surveys sent to parents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for surveys sent through school emails and text messages next week .
“ We are looking at a variety of options , including different scheduling plans , so that we can adhere to the health requirements of social distancing , along with other requirements for health screenings , cleaning of facilities , school buses and using masks , ” Cordova wrote .
“ We are so looking forward to having students back in our buildings in a few months , although still with some adjustments .
”

Denver Public Schools announced Thursday that the next academic year is expected to begin on time in August, but likely will consist of a mix of in-person and remote learning in an effort to maintain social distancing and prioritize health and safety.
In a letter to the DPS community, Superintendent Susana Cordova said school will continue to operate differently amid the global coronavirus pandemic, although details haven’t been nailed down just yet.
“Our overriding priority remains the health and well-being of our students and staff,” Cordova wrote. “We remain committed to following the guidance of health experts in developing our plans.”
In March, DPS along with school districts across the state, country and world shuttered their buildings and began transitioning to remote learning in a bid to stop the spread of the highly contagious novel coronavirus. The unprecedented move disrupted classrooms and hit vulnerable students such as those lacking internet access hardest.
Cordova said more detailed plans would come together in meetings involving principals, teachers, union leaders and central support teams, informed by surveys sent to parents and students. Families can keep an eye out for surveys sent through school emails and text messages next week.
“We are looking at a variety of options, including different scheduling plans, so that we can adhere to the health requirements of social distancing, along with other requirements for health screenings, cleaning of facilities, school buses and using masks,” Cordova wrote. “We are so looking forward to having students back in our buildings in a few months, although still with some adjustments.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-08--Arrests made in shooting death of black man after outcry

By RUSS BYNUM and BEN NADLER , The Associated Press SAVANNAH , Ga. — Georgia authorities arrested a white father and son Thursday and charged them with murder in the February shooting death of a black man they had pursued in a truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood .
The charges came more than two months after Ahmaud Arbery , 25 , was killed on a residential street just outside the port city of Brunswick .
National outrage over the case swelled this week after a cellphone video that appeared to show the shooting .
Gregory McMichael told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his son chased after Arbery because they suspected him of being a burglar .
Arbery ’ s mother , Wanda Cooper Jones , has said she believes her son , a former football player , was just jogging in the Satilla Shores neighborhood before he was killed on a Sunday afternoon .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests the day after it began its own investigation at the request of an outside prosecutor .
The agency said in a news release that Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his 34-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been jailed on charges of murder and aggravated assault .
The GBI news release said the McMichaels “ confronted Arbery with two firearms .
During the encounter , Travis McMichael shot and killed Arbery.
” No other details were immediately released .
It was not immediately known if either of the McMichaels had an attorney who could comment on the charges .
Gregory McMichael served as an investigator for Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson .
He retired last year .
The connection caused Johnson to recuse herself from the case .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced Thursday , Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp told reporters he was confident state investigators would “ find the truth.
” “ Earlier this week , I watched the video depicting Mr. Arbery ’ s last moments alive , ” Kemp told a news conference in Atlanta .
“ I can tell you it ’ s absolutely horrific , and Georgians deserve answers.
” Gregory McMichael told police he suspected the runner was the same man filmed by a security camera committing a break-in .
He and his grown son , Travis McMichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the truck .
The video shows a black man running at a jogging pace on the left side of a road .
A truck is parked in the road ahead of him .
One of the white men is inside the pickup ’ s bed .
The other is standing beside the open driver ’ s side door .
The runner crosses the road to pass the pickup on the passenger side , then crosses back in front of the truck .
A gunshot sounds , and the video shows the runner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over what appears to be a shotgun or rifle .
A second shot can be heard , and the runner can be seen punching the man .
A third shot is fired at point-blank range .
The runner staggers a few feet and falls face down .
Brunswick defense attorney Alan Tucker identified himself Thursday as the person who shared the video with the radio station .
In a statement , Tucker said he wasn ’ t representing anyone involved in the case .
He said he released the video “ because my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations and assumptions.
” Tucker did not say how he obtained the video .
He did not immediately respond to a phone message or an email .
The outcry over the killing reached the White House , where President Donald Trump offered condolences Thursday to Arbery ’ s family .
“ It ’ s a very sad thing , ” Trump said in the Oval Office , “ but I will be given a full report this evening.
” Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has called Arbery ’ s death a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden compared the video to seeing Arbery “ lynched before our very eyes.
” The outside prosecutor overseeing the case , Tom Durden , had said Monday that he wanted a grand jury to decide whether charges are warranted .
With Georgia courts still largely closed because of the coronavirus , the soonest that could happen is mid-June .

By RUSS BYNUM and BEN NADLER, The Associated Press
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Georgia authorities arrested a white father and son Thursday and charged them with murder in the February shooting death of a black man they had pursued in a truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood.
The charges came more than two months after Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was killed on a residential street just outside the port city of Brunswick. National outrage over the case swelled this week after a cellphone video that appeared to show the shooting.
Gregory McMichael told police after the February shooting that he and his son chased after Arbery because they suspected him of being a burglar. Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, has said she believes her son, a former football player, was just jogging in the Satilla Shores neighborhood before he was killed on a Sunday afternoon.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests the day after it began its own investigation at the request of an outside prosecutor. The agency said in a news release that Gregory McMichael, 64, and his 34-year-old son, Travis McMichael, had both been jailed on charges of murder and aggravated assault.
The GBI news release said the McMichaels “confronted Arbery with two firearms. During the encounter, Travis McMichael shot and killed Arbery.” No other details were immediately released.
It was not immediately known if either of the McMichaels had an attorney who could comment on the charges.
Gregory McMichael served as an investigator for Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson. He retired last year. The connection caused Johnson to recuse herself from the case.
At a news conference before the arrests were announced Thursday, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp told reporters he was confident state investigators would “find the truth.”
“Earlier this week, I watched the video depicting Mr. Arbery’s last moments alive,” Kemp told a news conference in Atlanta. “I can tell you it’s absolutely horrific, and Georgians deserve answers.”
Gregory McMichael told police he suspected the runner was the same man filmed by a security camera committing a break-in. He and his grown son, Travis McMichael, grabbed guns and began a pursuit in the truck.
The video shows a black man running at a jogging pace on the left side of a road. A truck is parked in the road ahead of him. One of the white men is inside the pickup’s bed. The other is standing beside the open driver’s side door.
The runner crosses the road to pass the pickup on the passenger side, then crosses back in front of the truck. A gunshot sounds, and the video shows the runner grappling with a man in the street over what appears to be a shotgun or rifle. A second shot can be heard, and the runner can be seen punching the man. A third shot is fired at point-blank range. The runner staggers a few feet and falls face down.
Brunswick defense attorney Alan Tucker identified himself Thursday as the person who shared the video with the radio station. In a statement, Tucker said he wasn’t representing anyone involved in the case. He said he released the video “because my community was being ripped apart by erroneous accusations and assumptions.”
Tucker did not say how he obtained the video. He did not immediately respond to a phone message or an email.
The outcry over the killing reached the White House, where President Donald Trump offered condolences Thursday to Arbery’s family.
“It’s a very sad thing,” Trump said in the Oval Office, “but I will be given a full report this evening.”
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has called Arbery’s death a “murder.” During an online roundtable Thursday, Biden compared the video to seeing Arbery “lynched before our very eyes.”
The outside prosecutor overseeing the case, Tom Durden, had said Monday that he wanted a grand jury to decide whether charges are warranted. With Georgia courts still largely closed because of the coronavirus, the soonest that could happen is mid-June.


thedenverpost--2020-05-08--CU President Mark Kennedy to forego $200,000 bonus after outcry from faculty, staff

After facing criticism from University of Colorado faculty and staff , President Mark Kennedy announced Thursday he will not collect the $ 200,000 bonus outlined in his contract as an incentive for completing parts of his job such as initiating a strategic planning process and reaching out to government leaders and donors .
Instead , Kennedy will donate $ 150,000 of that bonus to the endowed scholarship fund for first-generation students from rural communities that he and his wife , Debbie Kennedy , established , and he will forego the remaining $ 50,000 .
“ I recognize that the contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full salary distract from our work on the difficult budget situation COVID-19 is causing the university , ” Kennedy said in a written statement Thursday .
CU campuses , like many higher education institutions across the state and country , are reeling from economic hardship due to impacts from the global pandemic , worsened by the fact that Colorado ’ s state funding for higher education is among the lowest in the nation .
A bleak , initial budget analysis for 2020-2021 forecast a loss of at least tens of millions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a reduction or elimination of planned compensation increases , employee furloughs and layoffs .
In late April , the Daily Camera reported Kennedy would receive $ 200,000 in bonuses on top of his $ 650,000 first-year salary , which bumps up to $ 850,000 a year beginning next month .
More than 150 CU Boulder staff and faculty signed onto a letter to university leadership questioning why the system president was receiving a bonus in a time of financial turmoil .
CU Regent Glen Gallegos , the board ’ s chair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media characterized the money as a bonus when it was actually an “ incentive salary ” for “ attaining performance objectives.
” “ We have considerable work to do to ensure the University of Colorado meets the challenges ahead and continues to fulfill its mission of serving our students and our state , and I look forward to working to that end with all of those who care about CU and Colorado ’ s future , ” Kennedy said in his statement .

After facing criticism from University of Colorado faculty and staff, President Mark Kennedy announced Thursday he will not collect the $200,000 bonus outlined in his contract as an incentive for completing parts of his job such as initiating a strategic planning process and reaching out to government leaders and donors.
Instead, Kennedy will donate $150,000 of that bonus to the endowed scholarship fund for first-generation students from rural communities that he and his wife, Debbie Kennedy, established, and he will forgo the remaining $50,000.
“I recognize that the contract milestones that allowed me to reach my full salary distract from our work on the difficult budget situation COVID-19 is causing the university,” Kennedy said in a written statement Thursday.
CU campuses, like many higher education institutions across the state and country, are reeling from economic hardship due to impacts from the global pandemic, worsened by the fact that Colorado’s state funding for higher education is among the lowest in the nation.
CU Boulder began executing layoffs in April, the Daily Camera newspaper reported.
A bleak, initial budget analysis for 2020-2021 forecast a loss of at least tens of millions of dollars for the university, with budget-balancing options including a reduction or elimination of planned compensation increases, employee furloughs and layoffs.
In late April, the Daily Camera reported Kennedy would receive $200,000 in bonuses on top of his $650,000 first-year salary, which bumps up to $850,000 a year beginning next month.
More than 150 CU Boulder staff and faculty signed onto a letter to university leadership questioning why the system president was receiving a bonus in a time of financial turmoil.
CU Regent Glen Gallegos, the board’s chair, told the Daily Camera on Wednesday that the media characterized the money as a bonus when it was actually an “incentive salary” for “attaining performance objectives.”
“We have considerable work to do to ensure the University of Colorado meets the challenges ahead and continues to fulfill its mission of serving our students and our state, and I look forward to working to that end with all of those who care about CU and Colorado’s future,” Kennedy said in his statement.


thedenverpost--2020-05-08--Two JBS Greeley employees say they were fired after staying home sick during coronavirus pandemic

Two JBS Greeley plant employees say they were fired after they stayed home sick in March — early in a coronavirus outbreak at the meatpacking plant that would become one of the largest confirmed outbreaks in the state .
Married couple Tammy and Ann Day said they got sick with symptoms of the novel coronavirus on March 27 .
Remembering that JBS officials warned employees not to work while sick , they stayed home , and reported their sickness to the company ’ s automated absence line on that Friday , they said .
The Days provided The Denver Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the employee line from that day .
The Days then stayed home over the weekend — they were not scheduled to work — and returned to JBS on Monday , even though both still were not feeling well .
“ Health services was in front of the building , ” Ann Day said .
“ She took our temperatures and we were both coughing and we let them know we don ’ t feel well , and they sent us home.
” The Days went to a medical clinic later that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until April 3 , according to documents reviewed by the Post .
But on the same day , they were fired .
They have not been tested for the virus .
“ We went into work and they sent us home , ” Ann Day said .
“ They know why we weren ’ t at work.
” JBS said in a statement Thursday that the women were fired because they failed to show up for work three days in a row and also did not contact the company about their absences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , neither Tammy Day nor Ann Day argued , nor presented any evidence that their absences should have been excused for any reason , ” Cameron Bruett , head of corporate affairs , said in the statement .
He said both women failed to show March 27 , 28 and 29 , then were fired on March 30 .
Tammy Day said Thursday that she reached out to her union representative the same day that she was fired and provided a record of that text message conversation to the Post .
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since filed a grievance over the firing , which the union contends is one of many examples of a “ work while sick ” culture at the Greeley meat processing plant that contributed to the spread of the virus among workers .
The union has claimed JBS failed to protect workers from the virus .
Seven local JBS Greeley employees have died after contracting the virus , and testing has confirmed 280 cases among workers .
About 3,400 people work at the plant .
JBS officials said they ’ ve taken a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including installing barriers between work stations , staggering shifts and encouraging social distancing where possible in the plant .

Two JBS Greeley plant employees say they were fired after they stayed home sick in March — early in a coronavirus outbreak at the meatpacking plant that would become one of the largest confirmed outbreaks in the state.
Married couple Tammy and Ann Day said they got sick with symptoms of the novel coronavirus on March 27. Remembering that JBS officials warned employees not to work while sick, they stayed home, and reported their sickness to the company’s automated absence line on that Friday, they said. The Days provided The Denver Post with a record of a 90-second call to the employee line from that day.
The Days then stayed home over the weekend — they were not scheduled to work — and returned to JBS on Monday, even though both still were not feeling well.
“Health services was in front of the building,” Ann Day said. “She took our temperatures and we were both coughing and we let them know we don’t feel well, and they sent us home.”
The Days went to a medical clinic later that day and received notes ordering them to self-isolate until April 3, according to documents reviewed by the Post. But on the same day, they were fired. They have not been tested for the virus.
“We went into work and they sent us home,” Ann Day said. “They know why we weren’t at work.”
JBS said in a statement Thursday that the women were fired because they failed to show up for work three days in a row and also did not contact the company about their absences.
“At the time of their termination, neither Tammy Day nor Ann Day argued, nor presented any evidence that their absences should have been excused for any reason,” Cameron Bruett, head of corporate affairs, said in the statement.
Bruett said both women failed to show March 27, 28 and 29, then were fired on March 30. However, the Days said they were not scheduled to work March 28 and 29.
Tammy Day said Thursday that she reached out to her union representative the same day that she was fired and provided a record of that text message conversation to the Post.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7 has since filed a grievance over the firing, which the union contends is one of many examples of a “work while sick” culture at the Greeley meat processing plant that contributed to the spread of the virus among workers.
The union has claimed JBS failed to protect workers from the virus. Seven local JBS Greeley employees have died after contracting the virus, and testing has confirmed 280 cases among workers. About 3,400 people work at the plant.
JBS officials said they’ve taken a variety of precautions to protect employees, including installing barriers between work stations, staggering shifts and encouraging social distancing where possible in the plant.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Sitting pretty: At a moment when people are rethinking where to live, buyers in Steamboat are glad t

Sitting pretty: At a moment when people are rethinking where to live, buyers in Steamboat are glad they moved

At a moment when suburban Denver builders are seeing a spike in drive-by traffic – people exploring , rethinking where they live , seeking roomier environs – broker Kerry Shea up in Steamboat Springs has been watching that trend grow for months now before coronavirus was even a factor .
“ This started well before the crisis , when we introduced these very unique , very flexible homes , ” Shea says , showing off a ‘ mountain-modern ’ show home at Flat Tops at Wildhorse Meadows , a resort neighborhood of single-family homes near the Wildhorse gondola into Steamboat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from $ 1.3 million , Shea has moved rapidly through 12 of his 21 homes – each offering three to five bedrooms , 2,300 to 3,300 square feet , with attached garages , indoor-outdoor living areas including decks with views of the scenic Flat Tops — plenty of space for the whole family .
Numbers of his takers have made the move from Denver , but also from California and other states where pressures to relocate are growing .
“ We visited every mountain town in Colorado , ” says Bob Leiter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Flat Tops last fall , relocating from Santa Barbara .
“ It wasn ’ t until we got to Steamboat that the decision became simple , ” Leiter adds.
“ Steamboat felt like a community where people are proud of that.
” “ It ’ s a town that ’ s a real community with a real heart , ” another Flat Tops move-in told me , also from California .
The version of the model she opted for has slept up to seven visiting family during ski season .
Residents say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dovetails with what buyers are likely considering now , post-COVID-19 .
“ You take the thoughts we had a year ago and apply them to coronavirus and they ’ re pretty much synonymous , ” says Wes Ball , moving here from Houston , looking for a “ smaller environment ” to raise his daughters , and liking the Yampa Valley ’ s very accessible airport for business travel .
As with all of these residents , Ball picked Flat Tops in part for the welcoming approach that Shea offers in accommodating very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll see rendered in the model – in his case , creating a 4-bedroom/3-1/2 bath configuration with an extended family room , entertainment space , and indoor-outdoor living area .
Residents also resonate with the contemporary styling , rather than the dated ski-lodge look historically prevalent – as well as the low-maintenance exteriors and the emphasis on indoor-outdoor living .
( In the model you ’ ll see a kitchen-great room where cascading doors open to a party-sized deck , with a bar that allows treats and drinks to be served directly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was attracting buyers well before the virus scare began driving a new wave of interest .
“ People are considering relocating to smaller communities now more than ever , ” says Shea .
“ You know what , Sue , a lot of people will reassess their living situation , ” Bob Leiter recalls telling his wife when they were out exploring a trailhead near Flat Tops last weekend .
“ We saw it before we made the decision to leave California , ” he adds .
“ Just the volume of traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t miss at all .
This is the place for the lifestyle we want , and we want to soak it in while we can.
” You ’ ll see how close Wildhorse ’ s amenities are ( 25-meter heated pool , grotto-styled hot tubs , fitness center , and the gondola ) ; and Steamboat ’ s 8-mile Core Trail leading to its Old West downtown with galleries and dining .
Following Routt County ’ s restrictions , call for an appointment to visit .
The news and editorial staffs of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post ’ s preparation .

At a moment when suburban Denver builders are seeing a spike in drive-by traffic – people exploring, rethinking where they live, seeking roomier environs – broker Kerry Shea up in Steamboat Springs has been watching that trend grow for months now before coronavirus was even a factor.
Flat Tops at Steamboat’s Wildhorse Meadows What: Flat Tops at Wildhorse Meadows, resort single-family homes at Steamboat’s Wildhorse Gondola; 3-to-5 bed, 2,300 to 3,300 s.f., indoor-outdoor living, rooftop decks; attached garage; outdoor pool, amenities.
Flat Tops at Wildhorse Meadows, resort single-family homes at Steamboat’s Wildhorse Gondola; 3-to-5 bed, 2,300 to 3,300 s.f., indoor-outdoor living, rooftop decks; attached garage; outdoor pool, amenities. Where: 2525 Flat Tops Ct, Steamboat Spgs; head west on I-70 55 mi. to Silverthorne, north on Hwy 9 37 mi. to Kremmling, left on U.S. 40, 48 mi. to Mt. Werner exit, north ½-mile to Pine Grove Rd., right to Bangtail
2525 Flat Tops Ct, Steamboat Spgs; head west on I-70 55 mi. to Silverthorne, north on Hwy 9 37 mi. to Kremmling, left on U.S. 40, 48 mi. to Mt. Werner exit, north ½-mile to Pine Grove Rd., right to Bangtail Price: From $1.3M
From $1.3M When: Call for appointment, model showings daily
Call for appointment, model showings daily Phone: 970-819-6342
970-819-6342 More Info: SteamboatFlatTops.com
“This started well before the crisis, when we introduced these very unique, very flexible homes,” Shea says, showing off a ‘mountain-modern’ show home at Flat Tops at Wildhorse Meadows, a resort neighborhood of single-family homes near the Wildhorse gondola into Steamboat’s base mountain.
With prices from $1.3 million, Shea has moved rapidly through 12 of his 21 homes – each offering three to five bedrooms, 2,300 to 3,300 square feet, with attached garages, indoor-outdoor living areas including decks with views of the scenic Flat Tops — plenty of space for the whole family.
Numbers of his takers have made the move from Denver, but also from California and other states where pressures to relocate are growing. “We visited every mountain town in Colorado,” says Bob Leiter, who with wife Sue built a home in Flat Tops last fall, relocating from Santa Barbara.
“It wasn’t until we got to Steamboat that the decision became simple,” Leiter adds.“Steamboat felt like a community where people are proud of that.”
“It’s a town that’s a real community with a real heart,” another Flat Tops move-in told me, also from California. The version of the model she opted for has slept up to seven visiting family during ski season.
Residents say their thought process in making the move dovetails with what buyers are likely considering now, post-COVID-19. “You take the thoughts we had a year ago and apply them to coronavirus and they’re pretty much synonymous,” says Wes Ball, moving here from Houston, looking for a “smaller environment” to raise his daughters, and liking the Yampa Valley’s very accessible airport for business travel.
As with all of these residents, Ball picked Flat Tops in part for the welcoming approach that Shea offers in accommodating very personalized adaptations to the design you’ll see rendered in the model – in his case, creating a 4-bedroom/3-1/2 bath configuration with an extended family room, entertainment space, and indoor-outdoor living area.
Residents also resonate with the contemporary styling, rather than the dated ski-lodge look historically prevalent – as well as the low-maintenance exteriors and the emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. (In the model you’ll see a kitchen-great room where cascading doors open to a party-sized deck, with a bar that allows treats and drinks to be served directly from the kitchen.)
All of that was attracting buyers well before the virus scare began driving a new wave of interest. “People are considering relocating to smaller communities now more than ever,” says Shea.
“You know what, Sue, a lot of people will reassess their living situation,” Bob Leiter recalls telling his wife when they were out exploring a trailhead near Flat Tops last weekend. “We saw it before we made the decision to leave California,” he adds. “Just the volume of traffic and the people, we don’t miss at all. This is the place for the lifestyle we want, and we want to soak it in while we can.”
You’ll see how close Wildhorse’s amenities are (25-meter heated pool, grotto-styled hot tubs, fitness center, and the gondola); and Steamboat’s 8-mile Core Trail leading to its Old West downtown with galleries and dining. Following Routt County’s restrictions, call for an appointment to visit.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--A majority of students in Denver and Jeffco are engaging in online learning, districts say

Most students in Colorado ’ s two largest school districts are participating in remote learning , according to data from the districts .
But statewide , it ’ s harder to tell how many Colorado children are learning from home while school buildings are closed due to the coronavirus .
That ’ s because districts are taking different approaches to tracking student attendance .
The state isn ’ t requiring districts to collect the data , and not all of them are .
That doesn ’ t necessarily mean attendance is low ; teachers are still checking in on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great lengths to reach those who aren ’ t participating .
But the lack of data means it ’ s difficult to get a comprehensive look at who ’ s learning and who ’ s not .
And the reasons that students might not be showing up to class — lack of internet access or the need to work — raise concerns that the students who faced the steepest challenges before the pandemic will be the most behind whenever school returns to regular session .
Even the attendance data that is available contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools , the state ’ s largest district , is attempting to track the daily attendance of its approximately 92,000 students .
But it hasn ’ t been easy .
The district started remote learning on April 7 but doesn ’ t have reliable attendance data from the first two weeks .
Last week , 82 % of students were engaged in remote learning , a district spokesperson said .
By way of comparison , that ’ s 8.6 percentage points lower than the same time period last year , when schools were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues .
For more , visit chalkbeat.org/co .

Most students in Colorado’s two largest school districts are participating in remote learning, according to data from the districts. But statewide, it’s harder to tell how many Colorado children are learning from home while school buildings are closed due to the coronavirus.
That’s because districts are taking different approaches to tracking student attendance. The state isn’t requiring districts to collect the data, and not all of them are. That doesn’t necessarily mean attendance is low; teachers are still checking in on their students, and some are going to great lengths to reach those who aren’t participating.
But the lack of data means it’s difficult to get a comprehensive look at who’s learning and who’s not. And the reasons that students might not be showing up to class — lack of internet access or the need to work — raise concerns that the students who faced the steepest challenges before the pandemic will be the most behind whenever school returns to regular session.
Even the attendance data that is available contains a lot of gaps.
Denver Public Schools, the state’s largest district, is attempting to track the daily attendance of its approximately 92,000 students. But it hasn’t been easy. The district started remote learning on April 7 but doesn’t have reliable attendance data from the first two weeks.
Last week, 82% of students were engaged in remote learning, a district spokesperson said. By way of comparison, that’s 8.6 percentage points lower than the same time period last year, when schools were in session as normal.
Read more at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit chalkbeat.org/co.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Colorado’s public colleges face a budget crisis. It’s been decades in the making.

In 1983 , Nate Easley attended Colorado State University and received $ 900 federal grants each year that almost covered his annual cost of tuition .
CSU tuition has grown tenfold in nearly four decades , and state and federal support lag way behind , leaving Easley ’ s experience a distant memory .
“ Higher ed is kind of out of reach for many kids now , ” said Easley , who sits on the Colorado State system ’ s governing board and whose career has centered on college access .
“ One of the challenges of ( this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college debt and get a start on life.
” For two decades , Colorado ’ s public colleges and universities have raised tuition repeatedly to keep schools afloat after the state cut higher education budgets following the 2001 and 2009 recessions .
Each time , more of the institutions ’ costs shifted to students and families .
The decades of disinvestment have placed Colorado universities in a precarious financial position with little margin to maneuver through the coronavirus pandemic .
Students are already considering whether to stay home next fall .
Raising tuition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting in jeopardy colleges ’ main revenue source .
Unlike K-12 , the state ’ s colleges don ’ t have guaranteed support from the state .
And cuts over the years have placed Colorado near the bottom of the nation in public support for colleges and universities .
Even the most modest state budgetary reductions due to the coronavirus-induced recession are expected to diminish the ability of colleges to teach students .
Deeper cuts — especially while the pandemic simultaneously prompts fewer students to enroll — could lead to the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiral .
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues .
For more , visit chalkbeat.org/co .

By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado
In 1983, Nate Easley attended Colorado State University and received $900 federal grants each year that almost covered his annual cost of tuition.
CSU tuition has grown tenfold in nearly four decades, and state and federal support lag way behind, leaving Easley’s experience a distant memory.
“Higher ed is kind of out of reach for many kids now,” said Easley, who sits on the Colorado State system’s governing board and whose career has centered on college access. “One of the challenges of (this) generation is how to pay off college debt and get a start on life.”
For two decades, Colorado’s public colleges and universities have raised tuition repeatedly to keep schools afloat after the state cut higher education budgets following the 2001 and 2009 recessions. Each time, more of the institutions’ costs shifted to students and families.
The decades of disinvestment have placed Colorado universities in a precarious financial position with little margin to maneuver through the coronavirus pandemic. Students are already considering whether to stay home next fall. Raising tuition could cause enrollment to dip further, putting in jeopardy colleges’ main revenue source.
Unlike K-12, the state’s colleges don’t have guaranteed support from the state. And cuts over the years have placed Colorado near the bottom of the nation in public support for colleges and universities.
Even the most modest state budgetary reductions due to the coronavirus-induced recession are expected to diminish the ability of colleges to teach students. Deeper cuts — especially while the pandemic simultaneously prompts fewer students to enroll — could lead to the state’s more vulnerable colleges facing a death spiral.
Read more at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit chalkbeat.org/co.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Broncos to open season vs. Tennessee on “Monday Night Football”

For the third time in four years , the Broncos will open their season working the late shift on “ Monday Night Football.
” The NFL released its full 2020 schedule on Thursday and the Broncos will host the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 14 at 8:10 p.m. , to wrap up Week 1 .
The potential of having the season delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic likely factored somewhat into the schedule .
The Broncos open up against two AFC teams ( vs. Tennessee and at Pittsburgh ) , but they don ’ t play a division game until Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
The opener : The Broncos shut out Tennessee last year , forcing Titans coach Mike Vrabel to bench quarterback Marcus Mariota at halftime in favor of Ryan Tannehill .
The Titans would reach the AFC championship game , losing to Kansas City .
The Broncos are 39-20-1 in season openers , tied with Dallas for the best winning percentage ( .658 ) .
The Broncos have won eight of their last 10 openers and open at Mile High for the ninth time in 10 years .
Easiest stretch : If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have a Week 8 bye and then play three consecutive games against 2019 non-playoff teams ( at Atlanta , at Las Vegas and vs. the L.A. Chargers ) .
Easy ?
Hardly .
But manageable .
Toughest stretch : The Broncos will be tested in the first month because of two short work weeks that include East Coast trips .
They travel to Pittsburgh in Week 2 after hosting Tennessee on a Monday night and then play at the New York Jets on a Thursday after hosting Tampa Bay .
Bye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos , who will be off in Week 8 ( Nov. 1 ) .
Prime-time games : Week 1 vs. Tennessee ( late game of ESPN Monday night double-header ) , Week 4 at the New York Jets ( Thursday , Oct. 1 on FOX ) and Week 13 at Kansas City ( Dec. 6 on NBC ) .
The Titans game will mark the 29th consecutive year the Broncos have played at least one Monday night game , the longest streak in league history .
Flexible scheduling : Dates for the Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced four weeks prior to the game .
They will host Buffalo on Dec. 19 or 20 and play at the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 26 or 27 .
The preseason : The Broncos announced their opponents for the preseason — vs. San Francisco ( Aug. 13-16 ) , vs. Chicago ( Aug. 20-23 ) , at the Los Angeles Rams ( Aug. 27-30 ) and at Arizona ( Sept. 3 ) .
The kickoff time and day for the first three preseason games will be announced at a later date .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three preseason games will be announced later this year .
The Broncos ’ third Monday night opener in four years .
New defensive lineman Jurrell Casey faces his old team .
A first look at Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush , who was selected 10th overall in 2019 after Pittsburgh traded up 10 spots with the Broncos .
Tom Brady is 8-9 all-time regular season/playoffs against the Broncos ( 35 touchdowns/11 interceptions ) and 5-6 in Denver .
A long trip on a short week .
Two years ago , the Jets rolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos .
Oct. 11 : at New England , 11 a.m. , CBS The Broncos last played the Patriots in 2017 , but only two offensive starters remain : Left tackle Garett Bolles and tight end Jeff Heuerman .
Tua Time ?
Health- and progress-permitting , the Broncos may get to prepare for rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa .
The Chiefs have won nine consecutive games over the Broncos .
Enough said .
This game was supposed to be played at London ’ s Tottenham Stadium .
Instead , the Broncos will make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first trip to Las Vegas ’ new Allegiant Stadium .
The Raiders could have as many as five new defensive starters .
The Melvin Gordon Bowl … or maybe The Chris Harris Bowl .
Gordon faces the Chargers and Harris faces the Broncos for the first time .
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is only 2-8 all-time vs. the Broncos ( eight touchdowns and interceptions apiece ) .
Receiver Emmanuel Sanders returns to Denver .
Last December ’ s game at Arrowhead Stadium wasn ’ t kind to Drew Lock and Co. , ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alum/Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey faces his hometown team for the first time .
Former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen and former Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs lead the Bills .
Last year , Buffalo vice-gripped the Broncos 20-3 , allowing only 134 total yards .
Depending on the preseason road game against the Rams , this could be the Broncos ’ first or second trip to Los Angeles ’ new SoFi Stadium .
You never know , the AFC ’ s seventh playoff spot may be on the line if the two old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-9 records .

For the third time in four years, the Broncos will open their season working the late shift on “Monday Night Football.”
The NFL released its full 2020 schedule on Thursday and the Broncos will host the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 14 at 8:10 p.m., to wrap up Week 1.
The potential of having the season delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic likely factored somewhat into the schedule. The Broncos open up against two AFC teams (vs. Tennessee and at Pittsburgh), but they don’t play a division game until Oct. 25 (Week 7 vs. Kansas City).
The opener: The Broncos shut out Tennessee last year, forcing Titans coach Mike Vrabel to bench quarterback Marcus Mariota at halftime in favor of Ryan Tannehill. The Titans would reach the AFC championship game, losing to Kansas City. The Broncos are 39-20-1 in season openers, tied with Dallas for the best winning percentage (.658). The Broncos have won eight of their last 10 openers and open at Mile High for the ninth time in 10 years.
Easiest stretch: If the Broncos can survive the first seven games, they have a Week 8 bye and then play three consecutive games against 2019 non-playoff teams (at Atlanta, at Las Vegas and vs. the L.A. Chargers). Easy? Hardly. But manageable.
Toughest stretch: The Broncos will be tested in the first month because of two short work weeks that include East Coast trips. They travel to Pittsburgh in Week 2 after hosting Tennessee on a Monday night and then play at the New York Jets on a Thursday after hosting Tampa Bay.
Bye week: Just about ideal for the Broncos, who will be off in Week 8 (Nov. 1).
Prime-time games: Week 1 vs. Tennessee (late game of ESPN Monday night double-header), Week 4 at the New York Jets (Thursday, Oct. 1 on FOX) and Week 13 at Kansas City (Dec. 6 on NBC). The Titans game will mark the 29th consecutive year the Broncos have played at least one Monday night game, the longest streak in league history.
Flexible scheduling: Dates for the Broncos’ games in Weeks 15-16 will be announced four weeks prior to the game. They will host Buffalo on Dec. 19 or 20 and play at the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 26 or 27.
The preseason: The Broncos announced their opponents for the preseason — vs. San Francisco (Aug. 13-16), vs. Chicago (Aug. 20-23), at the Los Angeles Rams (Aug. 27-30) and at Arizona (Sept. 3). The kickoff time and day for the first three preseason games will be announced at a later date.
Preseason
Aug. 13-16: San Francisco
Aug 20-23: Chicago
Aug. 27-30: at L.A. Rams
Sept. 3: at Arizona
Preseason
Aug. 13-16: San Francisco
Aug. 20-23: Chicago
Aug. 27-30: at L.A. Rams
Sept. 3: at Arizona
*Specific dates and kickoff times for first three preseason games will be announced later this year.
Regular season
Sept. 14: Tennessee, 8:20 p.m., ESPN
The Broncos’ third Monday night opener in four years. New defensive lineman Jurrell Casey faces his old team.
Sept. 20: at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m., CBS
A first look at Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush, who was selected 10th overall in 2019 after Pittsburgh traded up 10 spots with the Broncos.
Sept. 27: Tampa Bay, 2:25 p.m., FOX
Tom Brady is 8-9 all-time regular season/playoffs against the Broncos (35 touchdowns/11 interceptions) and 5-6 in Denver.
Oct. 1: at N.Y. Jets, 6:20 p.m., FOX
A long trip on a short week. Two years ago, the Jets rolled up 323 rushing yards in rout of Broncos.
Oct. 11: at New England, 11 a.m., CBS
The Broncos last played the Patriots in 2017, but only two offensive starters remain: Left tackle Garett Bolles and tight end Jeff Heuerman.
Oct. 18: Miami, 2:05 p.m., CBS
Tua Time? Health- and progress-permitting, the Broncos may get to prepare for rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Oct. 25: Kansas City, 2:25 p.m., CBS
The Chiefs have won nine consecutive games over the Broncos. Enough said.
Nov. 1: Bye
Nov. 8: at Atlanta, 11 a.m., CBS
This game was supposed to be played at London’s Tottenham Stadium. Instead, the Broncos will make their first trip to Mercedes-Benz Dome.
Nov. 15: at Las Vegas, 2:05 p.m., CBS
A first trip to Las Vegas’ new Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders could have as many as five new defensive starters.
Nov. 22: L.A. Chargers, 2:05 p.m., CBS
The Melvin Gordon Bowl … or maybe The Chris Harris Bowl. Gordon faces the Chargers and Harris faces the Broncos for the first time.
Nov. 29: New Orleans, 2:05 p.m., FOX
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is only 2-8 all-time vs. the Broncos (eight touchdowns and interceptions apiece). Receiver Emmanuel Sanders returns to Denver.
Dec. 6: at Kansas City, 6:20 p.m., NBC
Last December’s game at Arrowhead Stadium wasn’t kind to Drew Lock and Co., (a 23-3 loss).
Dec. 13: at Carolina, 11 a.m., CBS
Valor Christian alum/Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey faces his hometown team for the first time.
Dec. 19: vs. Buffalo, 2:30 p.m.
Former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen and former Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs lead the Bills. Last year, Buffalo vice-gripped the Broncos 20-3, allowing only 134 total yards.
Dec. 27: at L.A. Chargers, TBD
Depending on the preseason road game against the Rams, this could be the Broncos’ first or second trip to Los Angeles’ new SoFi Stadium.
Jan. 3: Las Vegas, 2:25 p.m., CBS
You never know, the AFC’s seventh playoff spot may be on the line if the two old rivals progress from last year’s 7-9 records.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Wyoming closes campgrounds at state parks to nonresidents due to coronavirus

Camping at state parks in Wyoming temporarily has been limited to residents .
All existing 2020 reservations for out-of-state visitors @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines , according @ @ @ @ @ Wyoming State Parks .
Reservation charges will be refunded as soon as possible , the @ @ @ @ @ to reopen camping to nonresidents will be developed when deemed appropriate by the governor and @ @ @ @ @ The camping situation in neighboring states will also factor into when camping might open in @ @ @ @ @ the release said .

Camping at state parks in Wyoming temporarily has been limited to residents.
All existing 2020 reservations for out-of-state visitors have been canceled to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines, according to a news release from Wyoming State Parks.
Reservation charges will be refunded as soon as possible, the release said. A plan to reopen camping to nonresidents will be developed when deemed appropriate by the governor and state health officer.
“The camping situation in neighboring states will also factor into when camping might open in Wyoming to nonresidents,” the release said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-07--Man shot dead in Denver is identified; suspect arrested

A man who was shot dead Sunday in Denver has been identified , and a suspect in the case has been charged with first-degree murder .
Billy Williams , 41 , was shot on Sunday in the 900 block of Clay Street , according to the medical examiner ’ s office .
He was taken by paramedics to Denver Health , where he was pronounced dead .
Williams died of gunshot wounds , and his death is considered a homicide .
The district attorney ’ s office on Thursday filed charges against George Magee , 50 , for Williams ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman as well , has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder , two counts of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder , four counts of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and two counts of first-degree assault .
The double shooting stemmed from “ an altercation with neighbors , ” according to a news release from the district attorney ’ s office .
The woman who was shot was taken to a hospital in critical condition , according to an arrest affidavit .
Witnesses identified Magee as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found hiding in a warehouse at 953 Decatur St. , according to the affidavit .
A 9mm handgun was found nearby .

A man who was shot dead Sunday in Denver has been identified, and a suspect in the case has been charged with first-degree murder.
Billy Williams, 41, was shot on Sunday in the 900 block of Clay Street, according to the medical examiner’s office. He was taken by paramedics to Denver Health, where he was pronounced dead. Williams died of gunshot wounds, and his death is considered a homicide.
The district attorney’s office on Thursday filed charges against George Magee, 50, for Williams’ death.
Magee, who allegedly shot a woman as well, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder, four counts of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and two counts of first-degree assault.
The double shooting stemmed from “an altercation with neighbors,” according to a news release from the district attorney’s office.
The woman who was shot was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to an arrest affidavit. Witnesses identified Magee as the assailant.
Police arrested Magee after he was found hiding in a warehouse at 953 Decatur St., according to the affidavit. A 9mm handgun was found nearby.


thedenverpost--2020-05-08--How Nuggets legend Alex English finally got his due

Alex English is a proponent of history , particularly his place in it .
And it was only recently that the most decorated Denver Nugget in the franchise ’ s 53-year history was comfortable with how he was recognized .
The Nuggets have honored their all-time leader in points and assists on several occasions over the past few years , weaving an integral thread into the franchise ’ s somewhat unheralded past .
Their efforts , particularly that of vice president of basketball administration Lisa Johnson , now in her 39th season , have re-established a bond with English , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1980s and a Hall of Famer .
“ If you go back , it ’ s like looking at the Boston Celtics without thinking about Larry Bird and Bill Russell and Kevin McHale and Robert Parish and looking at the Lakers without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic ( Johnson ) , ” English told The Denver Post by phone .
“ Those players become , they ’ re iconic players that become a part of the brand .
… It took the Nuggets a long time to recognize and follow through with that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the team has paid homage to its past , honoring pillars like Fat Lever and Dan Issel , along with others like David Thompson and Byron Beck , who paved the way before them .
“ For a while there , all you knew were the Nuggets that were on the floor , ” English said .
“ You didn ’ t realize , not realize , but they didn ’ t recognize the players that were a part of the history who had their jerseys up in the rafters there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this team , this season .
Let ’ s do it and ya , ya , ya.
’ ” That baffled English , whose 1984-1985 team under Doug Moe had run-and-gun their way to the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers .
Were it not for a thumb injury to English , the Nuggets might have made the franchise ’ s first-ever trip to the NBA Finals .
That came amid a string of nine consecutive postseason appearances .
“ Think about it like this , ” said English , an eight-time All-Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1992 .
“ Think about Microsoft and Apple , and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs .
Can you imagine them not being a part of the history of those places ?
Or Dave Thomas with Wendy ’ s. ” This is where Johnson deserves immense credit .
She had maintained friendships with English , Lever and Issel , among others , and had gotten a sense that they felt disconnected with the organization through the decades .
“ I just thought it was super important to bring them back into the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current president of basketball operations Tim Connelly , who was hired in 2013 , along with Josh Kroenke for “ giving me my wings to fly to get it to happen , ” she recalled .
“ I just started reaching out to the guys , and kind of informally have them come to games and then honoring them.
” In 2014 , the Nuggets celebrated the 20th anniversary of their No .
8 upset over the No .
1 seed Seattle SuperSonics with a commemorative ceremony .
In 2015 , Lever had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed later by a jersey retirement .
Finally , on Oct. 21 , 2017 , the Nuggets opened the vault to celebrate their 50th anniversary .
English , Thompson , Beck , Issel , Moe and Dikembe Mutombo were all on hand , each stopping to hug Johnson after they were announced to the Pepsi Center crowd .
“ Now many of you may not know Lisa , ” Issel said that night .
“ Lisa actually runs this organization .
And if anybody deserves to have a banner in the rafters commemorating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 years , it ’ s this young lady.
” Said Johnson : “ That 50th anniversary opening night event , honestly , I have to say that was the highlight of my career .
To be standing there , on the center court , with those guys who are not only legends but my friends and realizing that some of the guys came back because I ’ m the one who asked them … To be out there with them , and share that moment , I will never forget it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can quite explain why exactly it took so long for the Nuggets to recognize their past .
One theory was the organizational turnover after Stan Kroenke bought the Nuggets in 2000 .
Another was the churn of coaches and executives after that time .
It ’ s possible that the lack of a championship , despite the up-tempo , exciting brand of basketball Denver played in the 1980s , suggested there wasn ’ t much to celebrate .
But Thompson ’ s soaring jams and English ’ s silky touch would contend otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s breakneck offense – “ There were rules to our cutting ” – or to listen as he breaks down the art of his historical midrange game , is to understand that there was plenty to recognize , championship or not .
“ We were a part of the base of the foundation , ” English said .
“ The winning foundation .
”

Alex English is a proponent of history, particularly his place in it.
And it was only recently that the most decorated Denver Nugget in the franchise’s 53-year history was comfortable with how he was recognized. The Nuggets have honored their all-time leader in points and assists on several occasions over the past few years, weaving an integral thread into the franchise’s somewhat unheralded past.
Their efforts, particularly that of vice president of basketball administration Lisa Johnson, now in her 39th season, have re-established a bond with English, the NBA’s leading scorer throughout the 1980s and a Hall of Famer.
“If you go back, it’s like looking at the Boston Celtics without thinking about Larry Bird and Bill Russell and Kevin McHale and Robert Parish and looking at the Lakers without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic (Johnson),” English told The Denver Post by phone. “Those players become, they’re iconic players that become a part of the brand. … It took the Nuggets a long time to recognize and follow through with that.”
English is heartened by the fact that the team has paid homage to its past, honoring pillars like Fat Lever and Dan Issel, along with others like David Thompson and Byron Beck, who paved the way before them.
“For a while there, all you knew were the Nuggets that were on the floor,” English said. “You didn’t realize, not realize, but they didn’t recognize the players that were a part of the history who had their jerseys up in the rafters there. It was ‘OK, we got this team, this season. Let’s do it and ya, ya, ya.’”
That baffled English, whose 1984-1985 team under Doug Moe had run-and-gun their way to the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. Were it not for a thumb injury to English, the Nuggets might have made the franchise’s first-ever trip to the NBA Finals. That came amid a string of nine consecutive postseason appearances.
“Think about it like this,” said English, an eight-time All-Star whose jersey was retired by the team in 1992. “Think about Microsoft and Apple, and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Can you imagine them not being a part of the history of those places? Or Dave Thomas with Wendy’s.”
This is where Johnson deserves immense credit. She had maintained friendships with English, Lever and Issel, among others, and had gotten a sense that they felt disconnected with the organization through the decades.
“I just thought it was super important to bring them back into the family,” she said.
Johnson credits current president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who was hired in 2013, along with Josh Kroenke for “giving me my wings to fly to get it to happen,” she recalled. “I just started reaching out to the guys, and kind of informally have them come to games and then honoring them.”
In 2014, the Nuggets celebrated the 20th anniversary of their No. 8 upset over the No. 1 seed Seattle SuperSonics with a commemorative ceremony. In 2015, Lever had his own night to be honored, followed later by a jersey retirement. Finally, on Oct. 21, 2017, the Nuggets opened the vault to celebrate their 50th anniversary. English, Thompson, Beck, Issel, Moe and Dikembe Mutombo were all on hand, each stopping to hug Johnson after they were announced to the Pepsi Center crowd.
“Now many of you may not know Lisa,” Issel said that night. “Lisa actually runs this organization. And if anybody deserves to have a banner in the rafters commemorating what she has done here in her 35 years, it’s this young lady.”
Said Johnson: “That 50th anniversary opening night event, honestly, I have to say that was the highlight of my career. To be standing there, on the center court, with those guys who are not only legends but my friends and realizing that some of the guys came back because I’m the one who asked them … To be out there with them, and share that moment, I will never forget it as long as I live.”
No one can quite explain why exactly it took so long for the Nuggets to recognize their past. One theory was the organizational turnover after Stan Kroenke bought the Nuggets in 2000. Another was the churn of coaches and executives after that time. It’s possible that the lack of a championship, despite the up-tempo, exciting brand of basketball Denver played in the 1980s, suggested there wasn’t much to celebrate.
But Thompson’s soaring jams and English’s silky touch would contend otherwise. To hear English dissect Moe’s breakneck offense – “There were rules to our cutting” – or to listen as he breaks down the art of his historical midrange game, is to understand that there was plenty to recognize, championship or not.
“We were a part of the base of the foundation,” English said. “The winning foundation.”