thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Ask Amy: Sometimes it’s OK to play games in a relationship

Dear Amy : “ Sue ” and I met on a singles site shortly before the pandemic .
We live in different parts of the country , so between that and the travel restrictions , we have not met in person yet .
We communicate about twice a week via videoconference and have had a good time getting to know each other better .
It has worked well for us .
The problem as I see it is that I am afraid of this style of communication getting stale .
How do we keep things interesting so as not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the trip to see each other and spend time with one another .
Zoom sex is NOT an option .
Dear R : It is surprisingly fun to play games via videoconferencing .
Do a little research , and depending on your areas of interest , you could play a trivia game , collaborate on a crossword , play “ Words with Friends , ” or “ Heads Up , ” a fun word association game available on the Houseparty app .
Also — remember that there are many ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re the type ( I am ) , you could mix things up by sending your new friend an old-fashioned letter .
( Delayed gratification , perhaps , but so romantic… ! )
Dear Amy : During our marriage , my ex-husband rarely made time for us , ( although he was great with the kids when he was with them ) .
I would take our kids on vacations without him because he always had something better to do .
I filed for divorce and moved out of his home over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to do this without telling my parents and siblings because I knew , even though they could see how unhappy I was , that they would not be supportive .
To this day they continue to invite him to family holidays and events , but become upset with me when I refuse to attend .
Since leaving , I have had little to no contact with my immediate family .
Obviously , this is very hard on me , and it is also confusing for my children .
I have attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes an argument every time .
They have told my children that I shut them out , but to me it feels like they shut me out .
I have met an amazing man , and we are now planning our wedding .
When I attempted to talk to my mom about wedding plans , her only response to my chosen wedding date was , “ That ’ s my weekend to work.
” I struggle with even inviting my immediate family to the wedding for fear that drama will be started .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and hope that my family will be a part of that , but at this point I am at a loss for what to do next .
Dear At a Loss : You chose to leave your husband , but never told your parents or siblings about this momentous change .
You don ’ t celebrate holidays or special occasions with them because they invite your ex .
However , your silence and absence has left a void , and now you seem to wonder why you don ’ t have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen to attend family events , they might have stopped inviting your ex .
In order to have a relationship , and in order to include them in your life , you need to participate in theirs .
Because you seem to want some contact , I suggest that you risk a little “ drama ” in order to re-enter your family system .
Invite them to your wedding , and take this opportunity to try to turn the page .
After your wedding , invite them to your home , go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage them to get to know your new husband , and see if they respond to your openness by being more open , themselves .
Obviously , if this is an overall toxic experience for you , you will have to make a different choice , but – up until now you don ’ t seem to have tried very hard .
Dear Amy : “ Blessed Dad ” has a 20-something cousin living with them during the pandemic .
He is wondering why she doesn ’ t say “ grace ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation by asking if it makes her uncomfortable ?
Ask if she ‘ d like to have a turn offering grace or thanks at mealtime ?
Being open to a new way of doing things might mean everyone in the family could take occasional turns at offering a blessing .

Dear Amy: “Sue” and I met on a singles site shortly before the pandemic. We live in different parts of the country, so between that and the travel restrictions, we have not met in person yet.
We communicate about twice a week via videoconference and have had a good time getting to know each other better. It has worked well for us.
The problem as I see it is that I am afraid of this style of communication getting stale.
How do we keep things interesting so as not to get bored until it is finally OK to make the trip to see each other and spend time with one another.
Zoom sex is NOT an option.
— R
Dear R: It is surprisingly fun to play games via videoconferencing. Do a little research, and depending on your areas of interest, you could play a trivia game, collaborate on a crossword, play “Words with Friends,” or “Heads Up,” a fun word association game available on the Houseparty app.
Also — remember that there are many ways to communicate other than videoconferencing. If you’re the type (I am), you could mix things up by sending your new friend an old-fashioned letter. (Delayed gratification, perhaps, but so romantic…!)
Dear Amy: During our marriage, my ex-husband rarely made time for us, (although he was great with the kids when he was with them).
I would take our kids on vacations without him because he always had something better to do.
I filed for divorce and moved out of his home over two years ago.
I made the decision to do this without telling my parents and siblings because I knew, even though they could see how unhappy I was, that they would not be supportive.
To this day they continue to invite him to family holidays and events, but become upset with me when I refuse to attend.
Since leaving, I have had little to no contact with my immediate family. Obviously, this is very hard on me, and it is also confusing for my children.
I have attempted to talk to them about this and it becomes an argument every time. They have told my children that I shut them out, but to me it feels like they shut me out.
I have met an amazing man, and we are now planning our wedding.
When I attempted to talk to my mom about wedding plans, her only response to my chosen wedding date was, “That’s my weekend to work.”
I struggle with even inviting my immediate family to the wedding for fear that drama will be started.
I want to move on with my life and hope that my family will be a part of that, but at this point I am at a loss for what to do next.
— At a Loss
Dear At a Loss: You chose to leave your husband, but never told your parents or siblings about this momentous change. You don’t celebrate holidays or special occasions with them because they invite your ex. However, your silence and absence has left a void, and now you seem to wonder why you don’t have a relationship with them.
If you had chosen to attend family events, they might have stopped inviting your ex. In order to have a relationship, and in order to include them in your life, you need to participate in theirs.
Because you seem to want some contact, I suggest that you risk a little “drama” in order to re-enter your family system. Invite them to your wedding, and take this opportunity to try to turn the page. After your wedding, invite them to your home, go to their homes when you are invited – encourage them to get to know your new husband, and see if they respond to your openness by being more open, themselves.
Obviously, if this is an overall toxic experience for you, you will have to make a different choice, but – up until now you don’t seem to have tried very hard.
Dear Amy: “Blessed Dad” has a 20-something cousin living with them during the pandemic. He is wondering why she doesn’t say “grace” with the family. He could open a conversation by asking if it makes her uncomfortable?
Ask if she ‘d like to have a turn offering grace or thanks at mealtime?
Being open to a new way of doing things might mean everyone in the family could take occasional turns at offering a blessing.
— Faithful Reader in Toledo!
Dear Faithful: I like this idea.
(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--2020-06-27--Arapahoe County shuts down CentrePoint Plaza Saturday over safety concerns

Arapahoe County commissioners voted Friday night to close CentrePoint Plaza on Saturday because of concerns about “ demonstrations , ” according to a news release .
The Saturday closure includes the Voter Service and Polling Center in the plaza .
“ The Board made this decision out of an abundance of caution for voters , elections staff and volunteers who were scheduled to be in the CentrePoint building for voting services , ” the release said .
CentrePoint Plaza , 14980 E. Alameda Drive , is near the Aurora Municipal Center , 15151 E. Alameda Parkway , where Elijah McClain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving information from the Aurora Police Department and the Arapahoe County Sheriff ’ s Office about the large protest scheduled for Saturday afternoon near the CentrePoint building , the Board decided that it would be safer for our staff and voters to close the building that was scheduled to be open between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. , ” Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy Sharpe said in the release .
“ We ’ re making this decision as a last resort .
But the County has jurisdiction over the CentrePoint building and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s essential for us to protect our voters and staff.
” The board held an “ emergency ” meeting Friday night to cast the vote .
Road closures in the area on Saturday also played into the decision , the release said .
“ The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder ’ s office requested approval for the temporary closure from the Colorado Secretary of State , but the request was denied , ” the new release said .
“ The Board subsequently decided to close the entire CentrePoint building , which includes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the June 30 State Primary Election at one of 30 drop boxes around the county .
The nearest drop box to CentrePoint is at the Arapahoe County Aurora Motor Vehicle office , 490 S. Chambers Road .
For residents who want to vote in person , the nearest VSPC to CentrePoint is at Martin Luther King Jr. Library , 9898 E. Colfax Ave .
The library is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday .
The CentrePoint VSPC will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday , the release said .

Arapahoe County commissioners voted Friday night to close CentrePoint Plaza on Saturday because of concerns about “demonstrations,” according to a news release.
The Saturday closure includes the Voter Service and Polling Center in the plaza.
“The Board made this decision out of an abundance of caution for voters, elections staff and volunteers who were scheduled to be in the CentrePoint building for voting services,” the release said.
CentrePoint Plaza, 14980 E. Alameda Drive, is near the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, where Elijah McClain rallies are happening Saturday.
“After receiving information from the Aurora Police Department and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s
Office about the large protest scheduled for Saturday afternoon near the CentrePoint building, the
Board decided that it would be safer for our staff and voters to close the building that was scheduled to be open between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.,” Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy Sharpe said in the release. “We’re making this decision as a last resort. But the County has jurisdiction over the CentrePoint building and all of our facilities, and it’s essential for us to protect our voters and staff.”
The board held an “emergency” meeting Friday night to cast the vote. Road closures in the area on Saturday also played into the decision, the release said.
“The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder’s office requested approval for the temporary closure from the Colorado Secretary of State, but the request was denied,” the new release said. “The Board subsequently decided to close the entire CentrePoint building, which includes the VSPC.”
Voters can drop off ballots for the June 30 State Primary Election at one of 30 drop boxes around the county. The nearest drop box to CentrePoint is at the Arapahoe County Aurora Motor Vehicle office, 490 S. Chambers Road.
For residents who want to vote in person, the nearest VSPC to CentrePoint is at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The CentrePoint VSPC will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, the release said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--PHOTOS: Vigil for Xaviyar Sturges, teen killed on Juneteenth in Aurora

Family and friends of the late Xaviyar Lawrence Sturges throw their hands in the air as a sign of solidarity @ @ @ @ @ Park in Aurora Friday , June 26 , 2020 .
Sturges , 17 , was @ @ @ @ @ Ridge Park on East Mississippi Avenue during a large informal Juneteenth gathering .

Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Family and friends of the late Xaviyar Lawrence Sturges throw their hands in the air as a sign of solidarity during a vigil at Bicentennial Park in Aurora Friday, June 26, 2020. Sturges, 17, was shot to death in Rocky Ridge Park on East Mississippi Avenue during a large informal Juneteenth gathering.


thedenverpost--2020-06-28--PHOTOS: Justice for Elijah McClain march in Aurora

Linda Campbell holds her son Jeremiah , 11 , during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department @ @ @ @ @ here for Elijah McClain who was murdered , '' Linda said .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ to be reform .
It has to end today . ''
Her son Jeremiah added @ @ @ @ @ fair for somebody to kill someone just because of the color of their skin .
@

Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Jannah Farooque helps her daughter Amani Washington, 8, keep a candle lit as they listen to musicians play violin in the parking lot during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Farooque's friend lived a few blocks away from where Elijah McClain was stopped by police. "When is this going to end?" Farooque had said. "Social justice is very important to our family. We've had encounters with police brutality, so it's very important to speak up and show support."


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Mississippi takes step toward dropping rebel image from flag

Spectators at the Mississippi Capitol broke into cheers and applause Saturday as lawmakers took a big step toward erasing the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag , a symbol that has come under intensifying criticism in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against racial injustice .
“ The eyes of the state , the nation and indeed the world are on this House , ” Republican Rep. Jason White told his colleagues .
On the other end of the Capitol , Sen. Briggs Hopson declared : “ Today , you — Mississippi — have a date with destiny.
” Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate battle emblem — a red field topped by a blue X with 13 white stars .
Many see the emblem as racist , and the flag has been divisive for generations in a state with a 38 % Black population .
Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves said Saturday for the first time that he would sign a bill to change the flag if the Republican-controlled Legislature sends him one .
He previously said he would not veto one — a more passive stance .
“ The argument over the 1894 flag has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s time to end it , ” Reeves said .
On Saturday , the House and Senate voted by more than the required two-thirds majority to suspend legislative deadlines and file a bill to change the flag .
That allows debate on a bill as soon as Sunday .
Saturday ’ s vote was the big test , though , because of the margin .
Only a simple majority is needed to pass a bill .
“ I would never have thought that I would see the flag come down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Barbara Blackmon of Canton , who is African American .
A bill will erase the current Mississippi flag from state law .
A commission will design a new flag that can not include the Confederate battle emblem but must have the phrase “ In God We Trust.
” The new design will be put on the ballot Nov. 3 .
If a majority voting that day accept the new design , it will become the state flag .
If a majority reject it , the commission will design a new flag using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are many good people who … believe that this flag is a symbol of our Southern pride and heritage , ” said White , the Republican speaker pro tempore of the House .
“ But for most people throughout our nation and the world , they see that flag and think that it stands for hatred and oppression.
” Republican Rep. Chris Brown of Nettleton appeared at a 2016 rally outside the state Capitol for people who want to keep the Confederate emblem on the flag .
He said Saturday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should both go on the ballot .
“ I don ’ t think we can move forward together if we say , ‘ You can have any flag you want except … this one , ' ” Brown said .
“ If we put the current flag on the ballot with another good design , the people of Mississippi will change it .
… Let ’ s not steal their joy.
” White supremacists in the Legislature set the state flag design in 1894 during backlash to the political power that African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the flag lacked official status .
State laws were updated in 1906 , and portions dealing with the flag were not carried forward .
Legislators set a flag election in 2001 , and voters kept the rebel-themed design .
Democratic state Rep. Ed Blackmon of Canton — the husband of Sen. Barbara Blackmon — told the House on Saturday that threats were made against him and others who served on a flag design commission in 2000 .
Ed Blackmon said Mississippi needs a design without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can stand at attention when they see it .
“ We ’ ll all be proud to say , ‘ That ’ s my flag , too , ' ” Blackmon said .
All of the state ’ s public universities and several cities and counties have stopped flying it because of the Confederate symbol .
Influential business , religious , education and sports groups are calling on Mississippi to drop the Confederate symbol .
People for and against the current flag filled the Capitol on Saturday .
Karen Holt of Edwards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers to adopt a new banner with a magnolia , which is both the state tree and the state flower .
She said it would represent “ joy of being a citizen of the United States , ” unlike the current flag .
“ We don ’ t want anything flying over them , lofty , exalting itself , that grabs onto a deadly past , ” Holt said .
Dan Hartness of Ellisville , Mississippi , walked outside the Capitol carrying a pole that with the American flag and the current Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pays tribute to those who fought in the Civil War .
“ Being a veteran , that ’ s important to me — that you remember these guys that fought in battle , whether they ’ re on the right side or the wrong side , ” Hartness said .

Spectators at the Mississippi Capitol broke into cheers and applause Saturday as lawmakers took a big step toward erasing the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag, a symbol that has come under intensifying criticism in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against racial injustice.
“The eyes of the state, the nation and indeed the world are on this House,” Republican Rep. Jason White told his colleagues.
On the other end of the Capitol, Sen. Briggs Hopson declared: “Today, you — Mississippi — have a date with destiny.”
Mississippi has the last state flag with the Confederate battle emblem — a red field topped by a blue X with 13 white stars. Many see the emblem as racist, and the flag has been divisive for generations in a state with a 38% Black population.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Saturday for the first time that he would sign a bill to change the flag if the Republican-controlled Legislature sends him one. He previously said he would not veto one — a more passive stance.
“The argument over the 1894 flag has become as divisive as the flag itself and it’s time to end it,” Reeves said.
On Saturday, the House and Senate voted by more than the required two-thirds majority to suspend legislative deadlines and file a bill to change the flag. That allows debate on a bill as soon as Sunday.
Saturday’s vote was the big test, though, because of the margin. Only a simple majority is needed to pass a bill.
“I would never have thought that I would see the flag come down in my lifetime,” said Democratic Sen. Barbara Blackmon of Canton, who is African American.
A bill will erase the current Mississippi flag from state law. A commission will design a new flag that cannot include the Confederate battle emblem but must have the phrase “In God We Trust.” The new design will be put on the ballot Nov. 3. If a majority voting that day accept the new design, it will become the state flag. If a majority reject it, the commission will design a new flag using the same guidelines.
“I know there are many good people who … believe that this flag is a symbol of our Southern pride and heritage,” said White, the Republican speaker pro tempore of the House. “But for most people throughout our nation and the world, they see that flag and think that it stands for hatred and oppression.”
Republican Rep. Chris Brown of Nettleton appeared at a 2016 rally outside the state Capitol for people who want to keep the Confederate emblem on the flag. He said Saturday that the current flag and a proposed new design should both go on the ballot.
“I don’t think we can move forward together if we say, ‘You can have any flag you want except … this one,'” Brown said. “If we put the current flag on the ballot with another good design, the people of Mississippi will change it. … Let’s not steal their joy.”
White supremacists in the Legislature set the state flag design in 1894 during backlash to the political power that African Americans gained after the Civil War.
The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the flag lacked official status. State laws were updated in 1906, and portions dealing with the flag were not carried forward. Legislators set a flag election in 2001, and voters kept the rebel-themed design.
Democratic state Rep. Ed Blackmon of Canton — the husband of Sen. Barbara Blackmon — told the House on Saturday that threats were made against him and others who served on a flag design commission in 2000. Ed Blackmon said Mississippi needs a design without the Confederate design so his children and grandchildren can stand at attention when they see it.
“We’ll all be proud to say, ‘That’s my flag, too,'” Blackmon said.
All of the state’s public universities and several cities and counties have stopped flying it because of the Confederate symbol.
Influential business, religious, education and sports groups are calling on Mississippi to drop the Confederate symbol.
People for and against the current flag filled the Capitol on Saturday.
Karen Holt of Edwards, Mississippi, was with several people asking lawmakers to adopt a new banner with a magnolia, which is both the state tree and the state flower. She said it would represent “joy of being a citizen of the United States,” unlike the current flag.
“We don’t want anything flying over them, lofty, exalting itself, that grabs onto a deadly past,” Holt said.
Dan Hartness of Ellisville, Mississippi, walked outside the Capitol carrying a pole that with the American flag and the current Mississippi flag. He said the state flag pays tribute to those who fought in the Civil War.
“Being a veteran, that’s important to me — that you remember these guys that fought in battle, whether they’re on the right side or the wrong side,” Hartness said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Women’s Soccer players kneel during the national anthem

Players for the Portland Thorns and the North Carolina Courage knelt during the national anthem Saturday when the National Women ’ s Soccer League opened the Challenge Cup tournament in Utah .
The players and coaches wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts in warmups before the game , which was nationally televised on CBS .
The players also knelt during a moment of silence before kickoff .
“ We took a knee today to protest racial injustice , police brutality and systemic racism against Black people and people of color in America .
We love our country and we have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher standard .
It is our duty to demand that the liberties and freedoms this nation was founded upon are extended to everyone , ” the Thorns and Courage said in a joint statement released before the game .
The league said Friday that it would play the national anthem before the Challenge Cup games and that it would support the players in whatever they chose to do .
The NWSL is the first professional team sport in the United States to return amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The monthlong Challenge Cup opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without fans at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman , Utah .
The Courage defeated the Thorns 2-1 in Saturday ’ s opening match .
The Chicago Red Stars play the Washington Spirit in the late game .
“ Today , hopefully , it was a powerful statement , ” Courage midfielder Sam Mewis said .
“ It was an emotional time and I hope that both teams ’ message comes through clearly.
” Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn said : “ The ( players ’ association ) has been about collaborating with teams on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustain the conversation around racial injustice in this country .
“ We made a strong statement and we wanted to kind of maintain that momentum that has been happening and to show official commitment to the cause , ” she added .
Megan Rapinoe , who plays for OL Reign but opted out of the Challenge Cup , was criticized when she knelt at an NWSL game and a pair of U.S. national team games in 2016 .
She said she wanted to express solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthem to bring attention to racial inequality .
In response , U.S. Soccer adopted a rule that required players to stand .
But that rule was repealed earlier this month amid nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd and racial inequity .
Rapinoe voiced her support for the NWSL players Saturday on social media : “ You love to see these women using their voice , demanding better for America , and for black people and people of color.
” Mewis said the teams plan to keep calling attention to racial injustice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep this momentum and keep the attention on the Black Lives Matter movement throughout this tournament , ” she said .

Players for the Portland Thorns and the North Carolina Courage knelt during the national anthem Saturday when the National Women’s Soccer League opened the Challenge Cup tournament in Utah.
The players and coaches wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts in warmups before the game, which was nationally televised on CBS. The players also knelt during a moment of silence before kickoff.
“We took a knee today to protest racial injustice, police brutality and systemic racism against Black people and people of color in America. We love our country and we have taken this opportunity to hold it to a higher standard. It is our duty to demand that the liberties and freedoms this nation was founded upon are extended to everyone,” the Thorns and Courage said in a joint statement released before the game.
The league said Friday that it would play the national anthem before the Challenge Cup games and that it would support the players in whatever they chose to do.
The NWSL is the first professional team sport in the United States to return amid the coronavirus outbreak. The monthlong Challenge Cup opened Saturday with a pair of games played without fans at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.
The Courage defeated the Thorns 2-1 in Saturday’s opening match. The Chicago Red Stars play the Washington Spirit in the late game.
“Today, hopefully, it was a powerful statement,” Courage midfielder Sam Mewis said. “It was an emotional time and I hope that both teams’ message comes through clearly.”
Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn said: “The (players’ association) has been about collaborating with teams on what we can do to maintain and sustain the conversation around racial injustice in this country.
“We made a strong statement and we wanted to kind of maintain that momentum that has been happening and to show official commitment to the cause,” she added.
Megan Rapinoe, who plays for OL Reign but opted out of the Challenge Cup, was criticized when she knelt at an NWSL game and a pair of U.S. national team games in 2016. She said she wanted to express solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the anthem to bring attention to racial inequality.
In response, U.S. Soccer adopted a rule that required players to stand. But that rule was repealed earlier this month amid nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd and racial inequity.
Rapinoe voiced her support for the NWSL players Saturday on social media: “You love to see these women using their voice, demanding better for America, and for black people and people of color.”
Mewis said the teams plan to keep calling attention to racial injustice.
“I think we want to keep this momentum and keep the attention on the Black Lives Matter movement throughout this tournament,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Amber Alert issued for missing 12-year-old boy from Aurora

Authorities have issued an Amber Alert of a missing 12-year-old boy out of Aurora .
Liam was picked up by @ @ @ @ @ not been returned to his home , Aurora police said .
The mother ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Her name was not released .
Police said Liam requires medication , which he does @ @ @ @ @ believed to be picked up in a 2010 Blue Honda Fit , with Colorado license @ @ @ @ @ Read more from our partners at Denver7 .

Authorities have issued an Amber Alert of a missing 12-year-old boy out of Aurora.
Liam was picked up by his mother Friday and has not been returned to his home, Aurora police said. The mother’s custody status is unclear. Her name was not released.
Police said Liam requires medication, which he does not have.
He was believed to be picked up in a 2010 Blue Honda Fit, with Colorado license plate #: BVV-937.
Read more from our partners at Denver7.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Broomfield examines approach to marijuana sales tax

Broomfield City Council continued its conversation on whether to allow a ban on marijuana sales to expire and if so , how to take the issue of taxing those sales to voters in November .
Council , for the most part , seemed in favor of letting the ban on medical and recreational marijuana stores expire , but continuing the ban on cultivation and manufacturing facilities .
The ban is set to expire Feb. 21 .
Mayor Patrick Quinn summarized comments from council members , who seemed in favor of a 3 to 5 % sales tax on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The question of whether to increase that rate over time got mixed reactions , with some saying yes , but cap it at 10 % and other council members preferring to leave that vote to a future council .
Courtney Thiemann , assistant city and county attorney , said if Broomfield does allow for the sale , manufacture , or cultivation of marijuana in Broomfield , they do get a kickback from the state tax .
Ten percent of the total amount goes to municipalities that allow marijuana within their city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how other municipalities manage the taxes , which vary from 1 % to 17 or 18 % taxes .
The most common is 5 % , she said .
Denver had its initially set at 5 % , but allows up to 15 % in the future .
Funds from those taxes also vary , from education and weed-specific issues to enforcement and general funds .
Ward 3 Councilwoman Jean Lim wondered what research exists that looks at whether not taxing medical marijuana ends up encouraging fraudulent prescriptions .
She also asked whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to the difference between adding a marijuana sales tax or separating it from the general sales tax .
City and County Manager Jennifer Hoffman said the more taxes that go to different coffers , the more complex the back-end of the distribution will be .
Other council members suggested tax proceeds go toward Broomfield ’ s Health and Human Services Department , mental health services , early childhood education or a possible “ rainy day ” fund .
Ward 1 Councilwoman Elizabeth Law-Evans expressed an extreme concern about youth use of marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will expound upon during the public hearing , but said for now it needs to be factored into the equation .
She was in favor of both medical and recreational being taxed to an extent to at least cover the anticipated “ regulation , enforcement and social costs.
” Law-Evans would like to see all proceeds to go youth drug education and not back into a city and county general fund .
Her preference was two questions be added to the ballot — the first to allow retail sales and the second , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addresses the tax framework .
Allowing marijuana sales in Broomfield is a contentious issue that needs to go before voters , she said .
Ward 2 Councilman William Lindstedt said he would typically be inclined not to tax medical , but as marijuana legalization evolved , a lot of people sought prescriptions they didn ’ t need .
He would be in favor of taxing medical marijuana at the city ’ s regular tax rate , but is open to discussion either way .
“ It ’ s a complex issue with complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likes the way Denver , Aurora and Longmont have handled sales tax , he said , and asked what other businesses in Broomfield are required to pay an excise tax .
Theimann said those were lodging and service expansion fees .
He suggested a 10 % cap to stay more in-line with neighboring communities .
Lindstedt also was in favor of that money going toward substance abuse beyond marijuana use .
Ward 4 Councilwoman Kimberly Groom seconded Law-Evans comments that a vote should go to the people on whether to allow marijuana sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sales tax , not excise tax , and agreed with Ward 5 Councilwoman Heidi Henkel saying stores in Louisville would be more competitive than Boulder or Aurora .
She was not in favor of confusing the November ballot language with increases to future taxes , saying council could take it to voters in the future .
Anderson , who was not in favor of cultivation , was unsure about manufacturing , but said if the council went that direction , she was in favor of an excise tax for those operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 councilman , wrote to council June 16 encouraging them to put a question on the ballot to approve a general sales tax on retail marijuana .
He also asked that Hoffman begin preparing options for legal operations of those facilities .
It makes sense , he said , to either tax marijuana at the general sales tax rate or create a special marijuana sales tax rate at no more than 3 % .
“ Please avoid doubling the paperwork of these businesses ( and adding cost to consumers ) by adding an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If cultivation or manufacturing are ever legalized , an excise tax would be appropriate for them , ” he wrote .
If a special sales tax is chosen , he encourages council to place a specific amount on the ballot and not ask permission for council to raise the marijuana tax rate at will .
“ If the city ever needs to raise taxes to generate revenue , I can think of a lot more activities to tax that would cause more of a ruckus , so I think taxing pot will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ As city staff has shown , it is no timely chore to draft language to approve a sales tax increase.
” The first reading of the ordinance , which requires two council votes , would need to take place July 14 to be placed on the November ballot .
Council is considering holding another study session before the first reading .

Broomfield City Council continued its conversation on whether to allow a ban on marijuana sales to expire and if so, how to take the issue of taxing those sales to voters in November.
Council, for the most part, seemed in favor of letting the ban on medical and recreational marijuana stores expire, but continuing the ban on cultivation and manufacturing facilities.
The ban is set to expire Feb. 21.
Mayor Patrick Quinn summarized comments from council members, who seemed in favor of a 3 to 5% sales tax on top of Broomfield’s existing 4.15% tax.
The question of whether to increase that rate over time got mixed reactions, with some saying yes, but cap it at 10% and other council members preferring to leave that vote to a future council.
Courtney Thiemann, assistant city and county attorney, said if Broomfield does allow for the sale, manufacture, or cultivation of marijuana in Broomfield, they do get a kickback from the state tax. Ten percent of the total amount goes to municipalities that allow marijuana within their city, she said.
Her presentation broke down how other municipalities manage the taxes, which vary from 1% to 17 or 18% taxes. The most common is 5%, she said. Denver had its initially set at 5%, but allows up to 15% in the future. Funds from those taxes also vary, from education and weed-specific issues to enforcement and general funds.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Jean Lim wondered what research exists that looks at whether not taxing medical marijuana ends up encouraging fraudulent prescriptions. She also asked whether the math was the same when it came to the difference between adding a marijuana sales tax or separating it from the general sales tax.
City and County Manager Jennifer Hoffman said the more taxes that go to different coffers, the more complex the back-end of the distribution will be.
Other council members suggested tax proceeds go toward Broomfield’s Health and Human Services Department, mental health services, early childhood education or a possible “rainy day” fund.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Elizabeth Law-Evans expressed an extreme concern about youth use of marijuana in Broomfield, which she said she will expound upon during the public hearing, but said for now it needs to be factored into the equation.
She was in favor of both medical and recreational being taxed to an extent to at least cover the anticipated “regulation, enforcement and social costs.” Law-Evans would like to see all proceeds to go youth drug education and not back into a city and county general fund.
Her preference was two questions be added to the ballot — the first to allow retail sales and the second, if voters do approve it, that addresses the tax framework. Allowing marijuana sales in Broomfield is a contentious issue that needs to go before voters, she said.
Ward 2 Councilman William Lindstedt said he would typically be inclined not to tax medical, but as marijuana legalization evolved, a lot of people sought prescriptions they didn’t need. He would be in favor of taxing medical marijuana at the city’s regular tax rate, but is open to discussion either way.
“It’s a complex issue with complex opinions,” he said.
Lindstedt likes the way Denver, Aurora and Longmont have handled sales tax, he said, and asked what other businesses in Broomfield are required to pay an excise tax. Theimann said those were lodging and service expansion fees. He suggested a 10% cap to stay more in-line with neighboring communities.
Lindstedt also was in favor of that money going toward substance abuse beyond marijuana use.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Kimberly Groom seconded Law-Evans comments that a vote should go to the people on whether to allow marijuana sales at all. She was in favor of a sales tax, not excise tax, and agreed with Ward 5 Councilwoman Heidi Henkel saying stores in Louisville would be more competitive than Boulder or Aurora.
She was not in favor of confusing the November ballot language with increases to future taxes, saying council could take it to voters in the future.
Anderson, who was not in favor of cultivation, was unsure about manufacturing, but said if the council went that direction, she was in favor of an excise tax for those operations.
Mike Shelton, a former Ward 2 councilman, wrote to council June 16 encouraging them to put a question on the ballot to approve a general sales tax on retail marijuana. He also asked that Hoffman begin preparing options for legal operations of those facilities. It makes sense, he said, to either tax marijuana at the general sales tax rate or create a special marijuana sales tax rate at no more than 3%.
“Please avoid doubling the paperwork of these businesses (and adding cost to consumers) by adding an excise tax on top of sales tax. If cultivation or manufacturing are ever legalized, an excise tax would be appropriate for them,” he wrote.
If a special sales tax is chosen, he encourages council to place a specific amount on the ballot and not ask permission for council to raise the marijuana tax rate at will.
“If the city ever needs to raise taxes to generate revenue, I can think of a lot more activities to tax that would cause more of a ruckus, so I think taxing pot will be no trouble,” Shelton wrote. “As city staff has shown, it is no timely chore to draft language to approve a sales tax increase.”
The first reading of the ordinance, which requires two council votes, would need to take place July 14 to be placed on the November ballot. Council is considering holding another study session before the first reading.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Bar owners worry as virus surges in their workplaces

HOUSTON — The din of conversation and music that normally fills The Cottonmouth Club in downtown Houston fell silent last Friday when the owners shut it down for a second time during the coronavirus pandemic — a week before the Texas governor ordered all bars to follow suit amid a surge in infections .
Co-owner Michael Neff — questioning what he saw as a rush to reopen by the state and wondering if his industry was making things worse as some bars flouted rules on occupancy limits — said he felt he could no longer provide a safe environment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar with a rock ‘ n ’ roll vibe .
He and his staff had started hearing of workers at other bars getting sick .
“ Texas was a terrible , terrible experiment because it experimented with people ’ s lives and this is where we are , ” Neff said .
That ended Friday , with Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s announcement that bars would again be shuttered , a day after the state reported a record high of nearly 6,000 confirmed cases and on the day that Texas surpassed 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said while he faulted bars that ignored the rules , he also lays blame on local and state officials for what he says was a lack of guidance and support , a lack of a statewide mask order and , until recently , a lack of enforcement .
It ’ s a sentiment shared by other bar and restaurant owners across the state and beyond who have been deeply hurt financially by anti-virus measures and are also struggling with tough decisions , with some shutting down again after workers became infected or closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their areas .
In a nearly eight-minute video he posted online earlier this month , Neff vented his frustration , beginning with a message directed at Abbott : “ You ’ re leading us to die.
” An email seeking comment from a spokesman for Abbott was not immediately returned Friday .
During a news conference Monday , Abbott said the goal has always been to reduce cases and keep people out of hospitals .
“ Texans have already shown that we don ’ t have to choose between jobs and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can protect Texans ’ lives while also restoring their livelihoods.
” From the time bars and clubs in Texas could reopen on May 22 with indoor service , social media has been filled with photos and videos showing packed businesses that were obviously not following rules on capacity and social distancing .
But the first operation by the state to suspend the alcohol permits of establishments that ignored rules didn ’ t happen until a week ago .
In closing bars again on Friday , Abbott said the rise in confirmed cases was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities , including Texans congregating in bars.
” Abbott also ordered restaurants to scale back to half capacity starting Monday .
He added that “ every Texan has a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to wear a mask ” — but he has not mandated their use statewide .
Last week , he did say cities and counties could order businesses to require that their customers wear masks .
A similar clampdown is happening in several states where confirmed infections are spiking .
In some places , owners are doing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , Florida banned alcohol consumption at bars after confirmed coronavirus cases neared 9,000 .
“ What we realize is that despite exceeding the required protocols and with very little federal or state guidance , that more needs to be done , ” Daniel Wright , the owner of five Cincinnati restaurants and bars that he shut down as a precaution , said in a Facebook post this week .
Houston ’ s Saint Arnold Brewing Company , which has a popular beer garden that remained mostly closed even before Friday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it sees as inconsistent messaging on how to operate , said company spokesman Lennie Ambrose .
“ We ’ re going to follow the laws or the ordinances .
But even if something is allowed , maybe that ’ s not the right thing for Saint Arnold to do from a public health standpoint , ” Ambrose said .
That feeling of uncertainty is echoed elsewhere .
Sean Kennedy , a spokesman for the National Restaurant Association , said his organization has told officials that the hospitality industry is “ just looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The association has pressed local governments to increase efforts to educate customers on their responsibilities when going out , Kennedy said .
An ongoing survey by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston of restaurants and bars in the Austin area found that many are frustrated that the governor has left it up to cities and counties to decide if they would mandate masks , said Mark Jones , one of the research fellows involved in the study .
Neff said he is worried about losing his bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streams , including selling cocktails to go , starting a podcast and holding a nightly virtual bar livestream .
But he said he also feels a responsibility to let people know what went wrong and to help ensure that this doesn ’ t happen again .
“ We are not going to be successful in reopening our economies if we do it the way we ’ ve been doing it , ” he said .
“ And no one wants that kind of sacrifice both in business and in lives.
” Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .

HOUSTON — The din of conversation and music that normally fills The Cottonmouth Club in downtown Houston fell silent last Friday when the owners shut it down for a second time during the coronavirus pandemic — a week before the Texas governor ordered all bars to follow suit amid a surge in infections.
Co-owner Michael Neff — questioning what he saw as a rush to reopen by the state and wondering if his industry was making things worse as some bars flouted rules on occupancy limits — said he felt he could no longer provide a safe environment for his staff or customers at the neighborhood bar with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
He and his staff had started hearing of workers at other bars getting sick.
“Texas was a terrible, terrible experiment because it experimented with people’s lives and this is where we are,” Neff said.
That ended Friday, with Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that bars would again be shuttered, a day after the state reported a record high of nearly 6,000 confirmed cases and on the day that Texas surpassed 5,000 hospitalizations for the first time.
Neff said while he faulted bars that ignored the rules, he also lays blame on local and state officials for what he says was a lack of guidance and support, a lack of a statewide mask order and, until recently, a lack of enforcement.
It’s a sentiment shared by other bar and restaurant owners across the state and beyond who have been deeply hurt financially by anti-virus measures and are also struggling with tough decisions, with some shutting down again after workers became infected or closing as a precaution because of rising cases in their areas.
In a nearly eight-minute video he posted online earlier this month, Neff vented his frustration, beginning with a message directed at Abbott: “You’re leading us to die.”
An email seeking comment from a spokesman for Abbott was not immediately returned Friday. During a news conference Monday, Abbott said the goal has always been to reduce cases and keep people out of hospitals.
“Texans have already shown that we don’t have to choose between jobs and health,” he added. “We can protect Texans’ lives while also restoring their livelihoods.”
From the time bars and clubs in Texas could reopen on May 22 with indoor service, social media has been filled with photos and videos showing packed businesses that were obviously not following rules on capacity and social distancing. But the first operation by the state to suspend the alcohol permits of establishments that ignored rules didn’t happen until a week ago.
In closing bars again on Friday, Abbott said the rise in confirmed cases was “largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars.” Abbott also ordered restaurants to scale back to half capacity starting Monday.
He added that “every Texan has a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to wear a mask” — but he has not mandated their use statewide. Last week, he did say cities and counties could order businesses to require that their customers wear masks.
A similar clampdown is happening in several states where confirmed infections are spiking. In some places, owners are doing it voluntarily, as Neff did. On Friday, Florida banned alcohol consumption at bars after confirmed coronavirus cases neared 9,000.
“What we realize is that despite exceeding the required protocols and with very little federal or state guidance, that more needs to be done,” Daniel Wright, the owner of five Cincinnati restaurants and bars that he shut down as a precaution, said in a Facebook post this week.
Houston’s Saint Arnold Brewing Company, which has a popular beer garden that remained mostly closed even before Friday’s order, has also had difficulty navigating what it sees as inconsistent messaging on how to operate, said company spokesman Lennie Ambrose.
“We’re going to follow the laws or the ordinances. But even if something is allowed, maybe that’s not the right thing for Saint Arnold to do from a public health standpoint,” Ambrose said.
That feeling of uncertainty is echoed elsewhere. Sean Kennedy, a spokesman for the National Restaurant Association, said his organization has told officials that the hospitality industry is “just looking for consistency, transparency and forward-looking rules.” The association has pressed local governments to increase efforts to educate customers on their responsibilities when going out, Kennedy said.
An ongoing survey by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston of restaurants and bars in the Austin area found that many are frustrated that the governor has left it up to cities and counties to decide if they would mandate masks, said Mark Jones, one of the research fellows involved in the study.
Neff said he is worried about losing his bar and has worked to find other revenue streams, including selling cocktails to go, starting a podcast and holding a nightly virtual bar livestream. But he said he also feels a responsibility to let people know what went wrong and to help ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
“We are not going to be successful in reopening our economies if we do it the way we’ve been doing it,” he said. “And no one wants that kind of sacrifice both in business and in lives.”
Associated Press video journalist John Mone contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Thousands gather to protest Elijah’s McClain’s death; tensions rise as evening falls

Thousands of people filled Aurora ’ s municipal center and shut down an Interstate , marching and chanting , crying and screaming for justice for Elijah McClain , the 23-year-old who died after an encounter with officers last August .
The passionate response culminated a week in which Gov .
Jared Polis ordered the state attorney general to investigate the case .
No injuries or arrests were reported during the day , although both directions of the Interstate 225 highway were shut down around 3 p.m. As evening fell , however , tensions rose , protesters knocked down a metal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said police announced that the protest was now an “ illegal gathering ” but as of 8 p.m. all was peaceful .
Prior to the march , the afternoon rally splintered into multiple groups , with Denver school board member Tay Anderson offering a mea culpa for splitting the crowd and causing confusion .
McClain ’ s mother , Sheneen McClain , Denver School Board member Tay Anderson and Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod all spoke on the steps of City Hall , with the crowd seated , listening intently and responding when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sister , stood under a tree listening to speakers .
She said it was good to see so many people out to remember Elijah .
“ I ’ m here for my brother .
He was special .
He was gentle .
He walked away from arguments , ” she said .
Her hope is that those responsible for his death are arrested .
Another , more agitated crowd gathered in front of the police headquarters , chanting and yelling at officers .
At one point the officers donned riot gear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters to scream epithets and ask why the escalation .
Yasmeen Hernandez , 27 , said it was “ pretty alarming ” to see cops don riot gear .
She added that it was disappointing to see two separate rallies chanting over each other .
A McClain family member tried to say a poem but was drowned out by the other nearby group .
Anderson apologized on Twitter , saying when he arrived at the march , he noticed “ Black women were frustrated that non Black folks were leading chants and speaking.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to the source and trying to help be a mediator , ” he tweeted .
“ I stepped out of my lane.
” Chants of “ Say his name , Elijah McClain ” and “ No justice , no peace , no racist police , ” emanated from the crowd throughout the day .
Organizers sold t-shirts with “ Black Lives Matter and “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” emblazoned on the front .
Franklin Williams , 25 , said he came out to show support and make sure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s minds .
He lamented that after Trayvon Martin and other Black deaths , the energy eventually faded .
“ This shouldn ’ t be a moment , ” the Aurora resident said .
“ This should be a movement.
” Before the protest began , Aurora police issued a statement in support of a peaceful protest and warned of “ outsiders ” whose goal , police say , is to be destructive .
All government buildings were boarded up before the gathering , and police sat atop the library and City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of demonstrations , organized by the Denver chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation , began with a 1 p.m. rally and march followed by a 4 p.m. youth-led protest .
An 8:30 p.m. violin vigil at Aurora City Center Park was also scheduled .
McClain ’ s death prompted a handful of small protests over the past 10 months but he has recently become known across the country in the wake of massive protests following the death of George Floyd .
The renewed attention prompted Gov .
Jared Polis this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a special prosecutor to investigate McClain ’ s death .
Dave Young , the 17th Judicial District Attorney , decided not to bring charges against the three officers involved in the matter , which was prompted by a call on a suspicious person .
“ Ultimately , while I may share the vast public opinion that Elijah McClain ’ s death could have been avoided , it is not my role to file criminal charges based on opinion , but , rather , on the evidence revealed from the investigation and applicable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop walking when asked .
Body cam footage showed an officer touched McClain and told him to “ stop tensing up.
” McClain replied : “ I am going home .
… Leave me alone , ” and “ Let me go .
No , let me go .
I am an introvert .
Please respect my boundaries that I am speaking.
” After a struggle , McClain was handcuffed .
Aurora Fire Rescue later injected him with ketamine in an attempt to sedate him .
He suffered cardiac arrest during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nathan Woodyard , Jason Rosenblatt and Randy Roedema — were taken off street duty this month for their own safety , an Aurora spokesperson confirmed .

Thousands of people filled Aurora’s municipal center and shut down an Interstate on Saturday, marching and chanting, crying and screaming for justice for Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old who died after an encounter with officers last August.
The passionate response culminated a week in which Gov. Jared Polis ordered the state attorney general to investigate the case. No injuries or arrests were reported during the day, although both directions of the Interstate 225 highway were shut down around 3 p.m.
As evening fell, however, tensions rose and police announced that the protest was now an “illegal gathering.” Police said protesters were throwing rocks and bottles and confirmed they used pepper spray on the crowd. That scene contrasted sharply with the violinists who were performing at the same time, honoring McClain who played the instrument.
Violin vigil in Aurora for Elijah McClain, who was a violinist. pic.twitter.com/Z5DozHPooz — Alex Burness (@alex_burness) June 28, 2020
It had been nine hours of protesting, nine hours of marching, chanting, screaming and crying. And then, not long after police used pepper spray to disperse hundreds of protesters, the music began. Eight violinists in a circle, playing beautiful, soft melodies. People slowly walked over, leaving the police clad in riot gear, and sat on the pavement. Some lit candles. Others closed their eyes. They just listened quietly to Elijah McClain’s favorite instrument.
Prior to the march, the afternoon rally splintered into multiple groups, with Denver school board member Tay Anderson offering a mea culpa for splitting the crowd and causing confusion.
McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain, Anderson and Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod all spoke on the steps of City Hall, with the crowd seated, listening intently and responding when prompted.
Naomi McClain, Elijah’s sister, stood under a tree listening to speakers. She said it was good to see so many people out to remember Elijah. “I’m here for my brother. He was special. He was gentle. He walked away from arguments,” she said. Her hope is that those responsible for his death are arrested.
Another, more agitated crowd gathered in front of the police headquarters, chanting and yelling at officers. At one point the officers donned riot gear and moved closer to the barricades, prompting protesters to scream epithets and ask why the escalation.
Yasmeen Hernandez, 27, said it was “pretty alarming” to see cops don riot gear. She added that it was disappointing to see two separate rallies chanting over each other. A McClain family member tried to say a poem but was drowned out by the other nearby group.
Anderson apologized on Twitter, saying when he arrived at the march, he noticed “Black women were frustrated that non Black folks were leading chants and speaking.”
“I acknowledge my mistake in not going to the source and trying to help be a mediator,” he tweeted. “I stepped out of my lane.”
Chants of “Say his name, Elijah McClain” and “No justice, no peace, no racist police,” emanated from the crowd throughout the day. Organizers sold t-shirts with “Black Lives Matter and “I Can’t Breathe” emblazoned on the front.
Franklin Williams, 25, said he came out to show support and make sure the issue of police brutality remains on people’s minds. He lamented that after Trayvon Martin and other Black deaths, the energy eventually faded.
“This shouldn’t be a moment,” the Aurora resident said. “This should be a movement.”
Before the protest began, Aurora police issued a statement in support of a peaceful protest and warned of “outsiders” whose goal, police say, is to be destructive. All government buildings were boarded up before the gathering, and police sat atop the library and City Hall observing the protest.
The day of demonstrations, organized by the Denver chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, began with a 1 p.m. rally and march followed by a 4 p.m. youth-led protest. An 8:30 p.m. violin vigil at Aurora City Center Park was also scheduled.
McClain’s death prompted a handful of small protests over the past 10 months but he has recently become known across the country in the wake of massive protests following the death of George Floyd.
The renewed attention prompted Polis this week to appoint Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor to investigate McClain’s death.
Dave Young, the 17th Judicial District Attorney, decided not to bring charges against the three officers involved in the matter, which was prompted by a call on a suspicious person. “Ultimately, while I may share the vast public opinion that Elijah McClain’s death could have been avoided, it is not my role to file criminal charges based on opinion, but, rather, on the evidence revealed from the investigation and applicable Colorado law.”
Police said McClain refused to stop walking when asked. Body cam footage showed an officer touched McClain and told him to “stop tensing up.” McClain replied: “I am going home. … Leave me alone,” and “Let me go. No, let me go. I am an introvert. Please respect my boundaries that I am speaking.”
After a struggle, McClain was handcuffed. Aurora Fire Rescue later injected him with ketamine in an attempt to sedate him. He suffered cardiac arrest during the ambulance ride.
The three officers — Nathan Woodyard, Jason Rosenblatt and Randy Roedema — were taken off street duty this month for their own safety, an Aurora spokesperson confirmed.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Nurses, doctors feel strain as virus races through Arizona

By Bob Christie and Josh Hoffner , The Associated Press PHOENIX — They saw the ominous photos : Crowded hospitals , exhausted nurses , bodies piling up in morgues .
It was far away , in New York , northern Italy and other distant places .
Now , after three months of anxiously waiting and preparing , Arizona nurses and doctors are on the front lines as the coronavirus rips through the state , making it one of the world ’ s hot spots .
The trickle of a few virus patients in March became a steady stream two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stay-home order in mid-May and allowed most businesses to reopen , and is now a scourge with no end in sight .
An intensive care nurse in metro Phoenix said she cries when she thinks about all the people who have died from the virus in her hospital , or the times she clutched a frightened patient ’ s hands during an intubation .
Medical staff describe crowded emergency rooms where patients are put on ventilators waiting for a spot in the intensive care unit to open up .
There are tearful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Angela Muzzy , with 31 years experience , said she tells younger nurses they ’ ll remember their role helping people during a historic national crisis .
“ We ’ re caring for physicians who have contracted this , we ’ re caring for mothers .
Last week we withdrew life support on a 48-year-old mother and I stood out there with her 17-year-old son as she passed away , ” said Muzzy , a clinical nurse specialist at southern Arizona ’ s Tucson Medical Center , where all 20 of 36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full .
Hospitals across Arizona , a state of over 7 million people , spent a six-week lockdown and a nearly two-month ban on elective surgeries getting ready for the surge that ’ s appearing now .
They polished emergency plans that require them to ensure they can increase capacity by 50 % .
They stocked up on masks and gowns , and trained professionals who normally work in operating rooms or other areas to care for virus patients .
Dr. Lisa Goldberg , director of Tucson Medical Center ’ s emergency department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained , and prepared .
Meanwhile Ducey , a Republican , argued the closures he ordered had slowed the spread of the disease and hospitals were now much better prepared .
While he stressed the need for social distancing , he resisted wearing a mask himself in public even as cases mounted , batting away calls by some cities to allow them to require masks .
When the case surge became impossible to ignore , Ducey reversed himself on June 18 and allowed cities and counties to require masks in public , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most have , including Phoenix , Tucson and Yuma and the counties that surround them .
Today , hospitals statewide are filling up with patients , some critically ill .
The state had more than 70,000 confirmed cases as of Saturday , up from just over 20,000 on June 1 .
Thousands more are being reported each day , and 1,535 people have died .
More than 2,400 people are hospitalized with coronavirus this week , up from about 1,000 three weeks ago .
More than 600 ICU beds were filled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them on ventilators and sedated .
Arizona has just over 200 empty ICU beds , out of about 1,600 in the state .
More are being added as hospitals brace for a flood of patients as newly infected people slowly get sicker .
Traveling nurses are being hired from other states to back up overworked staff .
“ This is not a sprint , this is a marathon .
In fact it ’ s an ultra-marathon , ” Goldberg said .
Death is ever-present in ICUs , but with virus patients , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grueling and drawn out .
Patients on ventilators are put in what is essentially a medically-induced state of suspended animation as machines breathe for their virus-ravaged lungs .
They ’ re hooked up to multiple IVs and drains , with a ventilator tube down their throats .
They can stay in the ICU for weeks or months .
Nurses walk into their units for 12-hour shifts , gear up in gowns , respirators , gloves and goggles and enter an other-worldly setting .
Patients are cut off from their families , and often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flipped onto their stomachs for hours at a time , a move called proning that has become a go-to for helping those patients breathe but is a grueling task that can take six to eight nurses , respiratory therapists and doctors to accomplish .
For younger nurses , some of the hardest deaths are those of young , previously healthy patients , including a woman less than 25 years old who died in Scottsdale .
She deteriorated rapidly , said Caroline Maloney , a nurse at HonorHealth ’ s Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICUs .
“ And it was very emotional , ” she said .
“ I know one nurse in particular couldn ’ t even talk about it .
“ They ’ re seeing this first-hand , and its unnerving for them to see when their peers are in a hospital bed and they have to take care of them , ” Maloney said .
She said , however , that her hospital is seeing “ amazing outcomes ” and most of her ICU patients are recovering .
For most people , the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Families of virus patients generally aren ’ t allowed bedside visits , leaving it to caregivers to arrange phone calls and FaceTime links via tablet computers .
The hospital in Tucson is a rare case where families can visit their loved ones — at least through a window .
That ’ s because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-story , with all its ICU rooms on the ground level .
Each has a small patio with windows .
It ’ s where Muzzy often leads family members as they say goodbye to their loved one after making the decision to end care .
“ I say it ’ s physically , emotionally , psychologically , spiritually draining , ” she said .
“ Our nurses , the ones that do the 12½ hour shifts , they endure this day in and day out .
They are amazing .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotionally recounted holding a frightened patient ’ s hands during an intubation described conditions to The Associated Press about her overwhelmed Phoenix-area ICU on the condition her name not be used because her employer restricts talking to the media .
She ’ s facilitated FaceTime calls with faraway family , and dealt with a constant crush of patients , shuttled from the packed emergency room to the ICU , then back to the general nursing floor if they show improvement , or to the morgue if they don ’ t .
Like Maloney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have installed robust safety procedures for staff and have plenty of protective equipment , but she says the toll of the sick and dying patients is becoming a strain .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a shift where people don ’ t die , ” she said .
“ It ’ s horrible .
The nurses are just numb from it.
” “ I ’ ve never seen so many people die .
Every day.
” In one case , a woman in her 40s went to the emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then sent home .
Her family got sick as well , and she came back to the ER as her condition worsened .
Then she was taken to the ICU .
She initially resisted being intubated , and the nurse called the patient ’ s sister and boyfriend to provide updates .
“ She said ‘ I ’ m really scared to get intubated.
’ I said I know .
She said , ‘ Will you stay here , hold my hand ?
Promise me I ’ ll be OK. ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then she lasted two and a half weeks and we did everything … We did all the things and she ended up dying .
It ’ s stuff like that , all the time , all the time .
”

By Bob Christie and Josh Hoffner, The Associated Press
PHOENIX — They saw the ominous photos: Crowded hospitals, exhausted nurses, bodies piling up in morgues. It was far away, in New York, northern Italy and other distant places.
Now, after three months of anxiously waiting and preparing, Arizona nurses and doctors are on the front lines as the coronavirus rips through the state, making it one of the world’s hot spots. The trickle of a few virus patients in March became a steady stream two weeks after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ended a stay-home order in mid-May and allowed most businesses to reopen, and is now a scourge with no end in sight.
An intensive care nurse in metro Phoenix said she cries when she thinks about all the people who have died from the virus in her hospital, or the times she clutched a frightened patient’s hands during an intubation. Medical staff describe crowded emergency rooms where patients are put on ventilators waiting for a spot in the intensive care unit to open up. There are tearful goodbyes through a patio window in Tucson.
Angela Muzzy, with 31 years experience, said she tells younger nurses they’ll remember their role helping people during a historic national crisis.
“We’re caring for physicians who have contracted this, we’re caring for mothers. Last week we withdrew life support on a 48-year-old mother and I stood out there with her 17-year-old son as she passed away,” said Muzzy, a clinical nurse specialist at southern Arizona’s Tucson Medical Center, where all 20 of 36 ICU beds dedicated to virus patients are full.
Hospitals across Arizona, a state of over 7 million people, spent a six-week lockdown and a nearly two-month ban on elective surgeries getting ready for the surge that’s appearing now. They polished emergency plans that require them to ensure they can increase capacity by 50%. They stocked up on masks and gowns, and trained professionals who normally work in operating rooms or other areas to care for virus patients. Dr. Lisa Goldberg, director of Tucson Medical Center’s emergency department, said her staff did drills, trained, and prepared.
Meanwhile Ducey, a Republican, argued the closures he ordered had slowed the spread of the disease and hospitals were now much better prepared. While he stressed the need for social distancing, he resisted wearing a mask himself in public even as cases mounted, batting away calls by some cities to allow them to require masks.
When the case surge became impossible to ignore, Ducey reversed himself on June 18 and allowed cities and counties to require masks in public, but didn’t issue a statewide order. Most have, including Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma and the counties that surround them.
Today, hospitals statewide are filling up with patients, some critically ill. The state had more than 70,000 confirmed cases as of Saturday, up from just over 20,000 on June 1. Thousands more are being reported each day, and 1,535 people have died.
More than 2,400 people are hospitalized with coronavirus this week, up from about 1,000 three weeks ago. More than 600 ICU beds were filled with virus patients this week, two-thirds of them on ventilators and sedated.
Arizona has just over 200 empty ICU beds, out of about 1,600 in the state. More are being added as hospitals brace for a flood of patients as newly infected people slowly get sicker. Traveling nurses are being hired from other states to back up overworked staff.
“This is not a sprint, this is a marathon. In fact it’s an ultra-marathon,” Goldberg said.
Death is ever-present in ICUs, but with virus patients, it is even more common, and often grueling and drawn out.
Patients on ventilators are put in what is essentially a medically-induced state of suspended animation as machines breathe for their virus-ravaged lungs. They’re hooked up to multiple IVs and drains, with a ventilator tube down their throats. They can stay in the ICU for weeks or months.
Nurses walk into their units for 12-hour shifts, gear up in gowns, respirators, gloves and goggles and enter an other-worldly setting. Patients are cut off from their families, and often all reality. They’re frequently flipped onto their stomachs for hours at a time, a move called proning that has become a go-to for helping those patients breathe but is a grueling task that can take six to eight nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors to accomplish.
For younger nurses, some of the hardest deaths are those of young, previously healthy patients, including a woman less than 25 years old who died in Scottsdale.
She deteriorated rapidly, said Caroline Maloney, a nurse at HonorHealth’s Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center with 28 years’ experience working in ICUs. “And it was very emotional,” she said. “I know one nurse in particular couldn’t even talk about it.
“They’re seeing this first-hand, and its unnerving for them to see when their peers are in a hospital bed and they have to take care of them,” Maloney said.
She said, however, that her hospital is seeing “amazing outcomes” and most of her ICU patients are recovering.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Families of virus patients generally aren’t allowed bedside visits, leaving it to caregivers to arrange phone calls and FaceTime links via tablet computers. The hospital in Tucson is a rare case where families can visit their loved ones — at least through a window. That’s because it is an older facility and primarily one-story, with all its ICU rooms on the ground level. Each has a small patio with windows.
It’s where Muzzy often leads family members as they say goodbye to their loved one after making the decision to end care.
“I say it’s physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually draining,” she said. “Our nurses, the ones that do the 12½ hour shifts, they endure this day in and day out. They are amazing. They’re very strong.”
But not unbreakable.
An ICU nurse who emotionally recounted holding a frightened patient’s hands during an intubation described conditions to The Associated Press about her overwhelmed Phoenix-area ICU on the condition her name not be used because her employer restricts talking to the media.
She’s facilitated FaceTime calls with faraway family, and dealt with a constant crush of patients, shuttled from the packed emergency room to the ICU, then back to the general nursing floor if they show improvement, or to the morgue if they don’t.
Like Maloney and Muzzy, she said her managers have installed robust safety procedures for staff and have plenty of protective equipment, but she says the toll of the sick and dying patients is becoming a strain.
“I don’t think there’s a shift where people don’t die,” she said. “It’s horrible. The nurses are just numb from it.”
“I’ve never seen so many people die. Every day.”
In one case, a woman in her 40s went to the emergency room with coronavirus symptoms, was tested, and then sent home. Her family got sick as well, and she came back to the ER as her condition worsened. Then she was taken to the ICU. She initially resisted being intubated, and the nurse called the patient’s sister and boyfriend to provide updates.
“She said ‘I’m really scared to get intubated.’ I said I know. She said, ‘Will you stay here, hold my hand? Promise me I’ll be OK.’” the nurse said. “And then she lasted two and a half weeks and we did everything … We did all the things and she ended up dying. It’s stuff like that, all the time, all the time.”
Hoffner reported from Yankton, South Dakota.


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Rockies’ offense stagnant in loss to Twins in MLB The Show 20

With the start of the Major League Baseball season postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic , we here at The Denver Post took a look at how the Rockies would fare in MLB The Show 20 on PlayStation 4 .
We will have a story for every game that had been scheduled until real-life baseball returns .
Here ’ s a look at the virtual Rockies ’ preseason preview .
Entering Saturday ’ s game , the Rockies were 55-26 .
MINNEAPOLIS — The Rockies managed just four hits in a 6-0 loss Saturday to the Twins in Target Field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) kept his record perfect , giving up just three hits in seven innings of work against Colorado .
On the season , he has a 1.94 earned-run average .
Colorado ’ s Jon Gray ( 12-2 ) had a solid outing , allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings but had zero offensive support .
Rockies outfielder Sam Hillard was one of the few bright spots , batting 2 for 3 and increasing his average in the series to .571 .
The two teams will play their rubber match on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 3 p.m. MT .

With the start of the Major League Baseball season postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, we here at The Denver Post took a look at how the Rockies would fare in MLB The Show 20 on PlayStation 4. We will have a story for every game that had been scheduled until real-life baseball returns. Here’s a look at the virtual Rockies’ preseason preview. Entering Saturday’s game, the Rockies were 55-26.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Rockies managed just four hits in a 6-0 loss Saturday to the Twins in Target Field.
Minnesota starter Devin Smeltzer (11-0) kept his record perfect, giving up just three hits in seven innings of work against Colorado. On the season, he has a 1.94 earned-run average.
Colorado’s Jon Gray (12-2) had a solid outing, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings but had zero offensive support.
Rockies outfielder Sam Hillard was one of the few bright spots, batting 2 for 3 and increasing his average in the series to .571.
The two teams will play their rubber match on Sunday. The live stream will air at 3 p.m. MT.
Box score
COL — 000-000-000 — 0-4-1
MIN — 011-010-12X — 6-11-0
Colorado — Dahl 4-0-1-0, Tapia 4-0-1-0, Blackmon 3-0-0-0, Arenado 4-0-0-0, Story 3-0-0-0, Murphy 3-0-0-0, McMahon 3-0-0-0, Hilliard 3-0-2-0, Wolters 3-0-0-0. Totals — 30-0-4-0.
Minnesota — Arraez 5-1-2-0, Polanco 4-1-2-3, Cruz 4-0-0-0, Sano 3-2-1-1, Donaldson 4-1-1-0, Garver 4-0-2-0, Rosario 3-0-1-0, Kepler 3-0-0-1, Buxton 4-1-2-1. Totals — 34-6-11-6.
E — Murphy. 2B — Tapia; Arraez, Buxton. 3B — Polanco. HR — Polanco, Sano. SB — Buxton. WP — Smeltzer (11-0). LP — Gray (12-2).


thedenverpost--2020-06-27--Comcast-Altitude blackout: Questions asked and answered for Nuggets and Avalanche fans

The stalemate between Comcast and Altitude TV is nearing its 10th month with local Nuggets and Avalanche game broadcasts absent from the state ’ s largest cable provider .
The following is an update with commonly asked questions about the carriage rights dispute .
Why did Comcast pull Altitude from its lineup ?
A 15-year partnership between Altitude and Comcast expired because of a changing TV market as cord-cutting forced distributors to re-evaluate their business models .
Kroenke-owned Altitude , which carries the Nuggets and Avalanche , doesn ’ t have the clout of other regional sports networks because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal expiring in Denver , it likely wanted to make an example of Altitude ( which could be cited in further RSN negotiations ) .
It ’ s a fair assumption to call it a leverage play .
Comcast also likely didn ’ t want to pay simultaneously for Altitude and AT & T SportsNet Rocky Mountain ( home of the Rockies ) as two RSNs covering essentially the same territory .
Furthermore , AT & T-owned DirecTV carries several Comcast RSNs in its own regions , and Comcast carries four AT & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left Altitude vulnerable from a business standpoint .
Said one former RSN executive : “ There ’ s no doubt they have less leverage than somebody like a FOX , or a Sinclair , or a Disney or whoever can hurt them on a variety of places , whereas Denver in regards to Altitude is kind of an isolated incident.
” What isn ’ t there a new contract ?
Price and distribution models that are at odds .
Comcast maintains not enough of its customers watch Altitude , and therefore , want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiered basis .
Altitude contends it would be the first RSN in the country in such a format and that it would put them out of business .
Comcast made a November contract proposal , per a source familiar with negotiations , which cut Altitude ’ s previous fee by 50 percent .
Altitude offered Comcast a contract with the same fee as before in Year 1 , followed by minimal increases in subsequent years , according to a league source .
Comcast , which owns and operates its own RSNs , offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most customers can watch .
Why won ’ t Altitude provide an a-la-carte channel on Comcast ?
In the 1980s , RSNs were on an a-la-carte model and dying because of it .
Once team owners learned that putting their games on basic TV wouldn ’ t hurt attendance , they became more comfortable with the broadcasts being widely accessible .
Today , professional sports teams sell their TV rights to networks , which then sell their broadcasts to distributors .
Teams calculate their rights fees from equivalent markets .
Networks must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production costs and employee salaries .
In an a-la-carte system , networks are uncertain they would recoup the money for rights fees .
Comcast contends that not everyone who pays for its basic cable package likes sports , and those subscribers are forced to subsidize the difference .
However , access to TV programming from any channel ( including non-sports ) on a basic package does not guarantee or require subscriber viewership .
Why is Altitude available on DirecTV but not Comcast or Dish ?
Altitude reached a deal with DirecTV last Halloween @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement .
The biggest change was that Altitude pitched 4K technology for game broadcasts .
With Dish , there are questions regarding its interest in carrying regional sports networks moving forward .
Why is Altitude not available on a streaming service like Hulu ?
Altitude offered it to Hulu but the economics don ’ t work for the streaming service .
Are Comcast subscribers with Altitude still being charged for it ?
Sort of .
Comcast announced in October the application of “ partial credit to our customers ’ Regional Network Fee ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other channels on the same expanded basic package .
The exact reduction depends on where the customer lives and the service area .
However , subscribers in the Denver metro reported just a $ 1.25 monthly decrease .
Have fanbases in other states dealt with similar regional television disputes ?
Yes .
Dodgers games on SportsNet LA were absent from DirectTV between 2014-19 .
In New York , the YES Network went dark on Dish in July .
NBC Sports Chicago is also currently blacked out on Dish .
How likely is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-start ?
Very unlikely , given the lack of productive talks since September .
And the negotiation gap expanded back in November when Altitude filed a lawsuit against Comcast for violation of state and federal antitrust laws .
The case is now in discovery ( sharing evidence ) with a joint status update due on July 16 , according to online court records .
Comcast has filed for a motion to dismiss the case .
What is the goal of Altitude ’ s lawsuit against Comcast ?
The lawsuit claims that Comcast is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no economic sense ” in an effort to either buy or eliminate Altitude — and then replace it with a Comcast-operated RSN to “ control sports programming ” in Colorado .
Altitude outlines alleged Comcast business tactics that have reduced or eliminated independent RSN ’ s across the country .
In theory , a positive ruling for Altitude could force Comcast to offer contract terms the RSN deems acceptable .
Bill Isaacson , the outside counsel hired to represent Altitude , told The Denver Post in November that “ we ’ re prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , industry precedent suggests a jury trial is unlikely , said Tim Lacomb , a San-Diego based attorney at MoginRubin LLP , who specializes in antitrust , unfair competition and complex business litigation .
“ These cases do not go to trial very often , especially cases brought by private plaintiffs as opposed to the federal government , ” Lacomb said .
“ Putting this case in front of 12 jurors brings in a lot of unknowns that Comcast will not want to deal with at trial.
” Comcast claims Altitude is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with inaccurate violations of antitrust law to pressure Comcast into renewing its contract “ on terms that exceed Altitude ’ s value to Comcast ’ s customers.
” Comcast does not operate a Denver-based RSN and claims it is a customer , and not a competitor , for Altitude .
A former RSN executive said : “ Nothing concerns distributors … scares them more or infuriates them more than anti-trust language .
Because they ’ re big , and big implies antitrust.
” How long might the Comcast-Altitude blackout continue ?
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple years .
SportsNet LA went six consecutive MLB seasons ( 2014-19 ) without local games on DirecTV before making a deal in April .
A court ruling might ultimately decide when Altitude TV broadcasts return on Comcast , but the timing of that decision is unclear .
The final pre-trial conference , according to online court records , is set for May 3 , 2021 .
A short-term resolution is possible .
Just don ’ t get your hopes up .
The two parties are deep-pocketed .
What are potential scenarios for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
1 .
Public scrutiny of Comcast business strategy threatens significant financial loss ( including more lawsuits ) and it agrees to a carriage rights contract on Altitude ’ s terms .
While unlikely , a jury trial verdict in favor of Altitude might also force Comcast ’ s hand .
2 .
A judge dismisses Altitude ’ s antitrust lawsuit , appeal attempts are unsuccessful , and Kroenke decides to exit the Denver RSN business .
The Nuggets and Avalanche find new local TV homes with a different RSN .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rocky Mountain to broadcast the Rockies , Nuggets and Avalanche under one roof .
4 .
Kroenke and Comcast salvage their relationship with the help of combined future business interests as mega-players in the sports-and-entertainment industry .

The stalemate between Comcast and Altitude TV is nearing its 10th month with local Nuggets and Avalanche game broadcasts absent from the state’s largest cable provider. The following is an update with commonly asked questions about the carriage rights dispute.
Why did Comcast pull Altitude from its lineup?
A 15-year partnership between Altitude and Comcast expired because of a changing TV market as cord-cutting forced distributors to re-evaluate their business models. Kroenke-owned Altitude, which carries the Nuggets and Avalanche, doesn’t have the clout of other regional sports networks because of its independence. With Comcast’s deal expiring in Denver, it likely wanted to make an example of Altitude (which could be cited in further RSN negotiations). It’s a fair assumption to call it a leverage play.
Comcast also likely didn’t want to pay simultaneously for Altitude and AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (home of the Rockies) as two RSNs covering essentially the same territory. Furthermore, AT&T-owned DirecTV carries several Comcast RSNs in its own regions, and Comcast carries four AT&T RSNs in its markets. It left Altitude vulnerable from a business standpoint.
Said one former RSN executive: “There’s no doubt they have less leverage than somebody like a FOX, or a Sinclair, or a Disney or whoever can hurt them on a variety of places, whereas Denver in regards to Altitude is kind of an isolated incident.”
Why isn’t there a new contract?
Price and distribution models are at odds. Comcast maintains not enough of its customers watch Altitude, and therefore, want to offer Altitude on an a-la-carte or tiered basis. Altitude contends it would be the first RSN in the country in such a format and that it would put them out of business.
Comcast made a November contract proposal, per a source familiar with negotiations, which cut Altitude’s previous fee by 50 percent. Altitude offered Comcast a contract with the same fee as before in Year 1, followed by minimal increases in subsequent years, according to a league source.
Comcast, which owns and operates its own RSNs, offers those channels on a basic package where the most customers can watch.
Why won’t Altitude provide an a-la-carte channel on Comcast?
In the 1980s, RSNs were on an a-la-carte model and dying because of it. Once team owners learned that putting their games on basic TV wouldn’t hurt attendance, they became more comfortable with the broadcasts being widely accessible.
Today, professional sports teams sell their TV rights to networks, which then sell their broadcasts to distributors. Teams calculate their rights fees from equivalent markets. Networks must then pay for the rights fees, production costs and employee salaries. In an a-la-carte system, networks are uncertain they would recoup the money for rights fees.
Comcast contends that not everyone who pays for its basic cable package likes sports, and those subscribers are forced to subsidize the difference. However, access to TV programming from any channel (including non-sports) on a basic package does not guarantee or require subscriber viewership.
Why is Altitude available on DirecTV but not Comcast or Dish?
Altitude reached a deal with DirecTV last Halloween that was similar financially to their prior agreement. The biggest change was that Altitude pitched 4K technology for game broadcasts. With Dish, there are questions regarding its interest in carrying regional sports networks moving forward.
Why is Altitude not available on a streaming service like Hulu?
Altitude offered it to Hulu but the economics don’t work for the streaming service.
Are Comcast subscribers with Altitude still being charged for it?
Sort of. Comcast announced in October the application of “partial credit to our customers’ Regional Network Fee” which covers the cost of Altitude and other channels on the same expanded basic package. The exact reduction depends on where the customer lives and the service area. However, subscribers in the Denver metro just reported a $1.25 monthly decrease.
Have fanbases in other states dealt with similar regional television disputes?
Yes. Dodgers games on SportsNet LA were absent from DirectTV between 2014-19. In New York, the YES Network went dark on Dish in July. NBC Sports Chicago is also currently blacked out on Dish.
How likely is a Comcast-Altitude agreement prior to the NHL/NBA season re-start?
Very unlikely, given the lack of productive talks since September. And the negotiation gap expanded back in November when Altitude filed a lawsuit against Comcast for violation of state and federal antitrust laws. The case is now in discovery (sharing evidence) with a joint status update due on July 16, according to online court records. Comcast has filed for a motion to dismiss the case.
What is the goal of Altitude’s lawsuit against Comcast?
The lawsuit claims that Comcast is negotiating with financial terms that “make no economic sense” in an effort to either buy or eliminate Altitude — and then replace it with a Comcast-operated RSN to “control sports programming” in Colorado. Altitude outlines alleged Comcast business tactics that have reduced or eliminated independent RSN’s across the country. In theory, a positive ruling for Altitude could force Comcast to offer contract terms the RSN deems acceptable.
Bill Isaacson, the outside counsel hired to represent Altitude, told The Denver Post in November that “we’re prepared to do this the whole way.” However, industry precedent suggests a jury trial is unlikely, said Tim Lacomb, a San-Diego based attorney at MoginRubin LLP, who specializes in antitrust, unfair competition and complex business litigation.
“These cases do not go to trial very often, especially cases brought by private plaintiffs as opposed to the federal government,” Lacomb said. “Putting this case in front of 12 jurors brings in a lot of unknowns that Comcast will not want to deal with at trial.”
What is Comcast’s defense?
Comcast claims Altitude is conflating a “routine commercial disagreement” with inaccurate violations of antitrust law to pressure Comcast into renewing its contract “on terms that exceed Altitude’s value to Comcast’s customers.” Comcast does not operate a Denver-based RSN and claims it is a customer, and not a competitor, for Altitude.
A former RSN executive said: “Nothing concerns distributors … scares them more or infuriates them more than anti-trust language. Because they’re big, and big implies antitrust.”
How long might the Comcast-Altitude blackout continue?
In a worst-case scenario, the standoff continues for multiple years. SportsNet LA went six consecutive MLB seasons (2014-19) without local games on DirecTV before making a deal in April. A court ruling might ultimately decide when Altitude TV broadcasts return on Comcast, but the timing of that decision is unclear. The final pre-trial conference, according to online court records, is set for May 3, 2021.
A short-term resolution is possible. Just don’t get your hopes up. The two parties are deep-pocketed.
What are potential scenarios for how Nuggets/Avalanche games return on local television?
1. Public scrutiny of Comcast business strategy threatens significant financial loss (including more lawsuits) and it agrees to a carriage rights contract on Altitude’s terms. While unlikely, a jury trial verdict in favor of Altitude might also force Comcast’s hand.
2. A judge dismisses Altitude’s antitrust lawsuit, appeal attempts are unsuccessful, and Kroenke decides to exit the Denver RSN business. The Nuggets and Avalanche find new local TV homes with a different RSN.
3. Altitude merges with AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain to broadcast the Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche under one roof.
4. Kroenke and Comcast salvage their relationship with the help of combined future business interests as mega-players in the sports-and-entertainment industry.