thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Denver weather: Snow expected late Sunday into early Monday

Rain showers Sunday are expected to morph into snow showers overnight in the Denver region as a cold front moves into the plains from the mountains .
The storm system should drop between three and nine inches of snow in the mountains Sunday before moving into the foothills and plains Sunday night , according to the National Weather Service at Boulder .
The Denver area will likely see a mix of snow and rain in the late afternoon that turns into snow in the evening , according to the weather service .
The storm is expected to drop between one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plains , with the foothills and the Palmer Divide seeing the higher end of that range .
On Monday , snowfall will continue in the mountains , with another two inches possible .
Light snowfall might also continue on the plains Monday morning , along with patches of fog before 11 a.m. , according to the weather service .
Sunday ’ s high temperature is expected to be 51 degrees , while on Monday temperatures will reach the mid-40s .
The rest of the week is expected to be dry and mild , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60s on Friday and Saturday .

A winter weather advisory was issued Sunday for much of the Denver region ahead of a winter storm that’s expected to drop between two and six inches of snow on the city and suburbs Sunday evening.
The winter weather advisory begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service at Boulder, which warned that roads will be slippery and snowpacked Sunday night.
Rain showers earlier in the day are expected to morph into snow showers in the afternoon and evening in the Denver region as a cold front moves into the plains from the mountains.
The storm system should drop between three and nine inches of snow in the mountains Sunday before moving into the foothills and plains.
On Monday, snowfall will continue in the mountains, with another two inches possible. Light snowfall might also continue on the plains Monday morning, along with patches of fog before 11 a.m., according to the weather service.
Sunday’s high temperature is expected to be 51 degrees, while on Monday temperatures will reach the mid-40s. The rest of the week is expected to be dry and mild, temperatures are forecasted to hit the high 60s on Friday and Saturday.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Five people shot overnight near Brighton; authorities searching for three suspects

Five people were shot near Brighton Saturday night and authorities are searching for three suspects , according to the Weld County Sheriff ’ s Office .
All five people were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening , according to a statement from Sheriff Steve Reams .
The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. near Weld County Road 2 and Starr Lane , according to the statement .
Witnesses described three men as suspects and said they were in a car with two women .
The first man was described as Latino , between 20 and 22 years old , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Both the second and third men were described as black and in their early 20s , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Both had their hair up in buns , they said .
The suspects were driving a silver four-door sports car , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
The vehicle might have been a Dodge Charger .
The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation , but authorities do not believe there is a danger to the public at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by early Sunday morning .
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the sheriff ’ s office at ( 970 ) 400-2889 .

Five people were shot near Brighton Saturday night and authorities are searching for three suspects, according to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
All five people were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to a statement from Sheriff Steve Reams.
The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. near Weld County Road 2 and Starr Lane, according to the statement. Witnesses described three men as suspects and said they were in a car with two women.
The WCSO is seeking the public's help with identifying three men suspected in a shooting last night in Brighton. If you recognize anyone in these photos, please call Det. Brandon Ong at (970) 400-5816. pic.twitter.com/45hC85YxN5 — Weld County Sheriff (@WeldSheriff) March 1, 2020
The first man was described as Latino, between 20 and 22 years old, with bowl cut hair with a faded side, according to the sheriff’s office. Both the second and third men were described as black and in their early 20s, according to the sheriff’s office. Both had their hair up in buns, they said.
The suspects were driving a silver four-door sports car, according to the sheriff’s office. The vehicle might have been a Dodge Charger.
The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation, but authorities do not believe there is a danger to the public at large. No arrests had been made by early Sunday morning.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 970-400-2889.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Road to Retirement: Why value investing isn’t working

The formula for making money in the stock market is pretty simple : buy low , sell high .
Traditionally , the way to buy low was to look for good deals , companies that were “ on sale , ” or the proverbial diamond in the rough .
This style of investing is called value investing , and it intuitively makes sense .
For instance , if you love hamburgers and they are on sale , you ’ d buy more of them .
So just apply this theory to buying stocks ; wait until you find the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffett , the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway , is probably the most famous value investor , and he ’ s been doing it for almost 65 years .
But investing in companies that look like a deal or are cheap hasn ’ t been working well lately .
In fact , Warren Buffett has now underperformed the stock market for the decade ending in 2019 .
There are many other value investors out there who are experiencing similar challenges .
The performance gap has been widening recently , with value lagging the S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 % a year for the past five years as of the end of 2019 .
What ’ s the problem with value investing ?
First , buying stocks is not like buying hamburgers .
If you go to the store and the burgers are on sale , they look just like the burgers at the store down the street that are not on sale .
That means you can easily see you are getting the same quality or value for a lower price .
But if stocks were like hamburgers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a normal hamburger , and the one that is on sale will look like someone just backed over it with a shopping cart .
In a nutshell , that ’ s the problem with value investing .
Markets are too efficient , and information moves so quickly , it ’ s hard to find a good company that is on sale .
If a company is on sale today , it generally has problems , like that squashed hamburger .
Buying a company that has problems , even if it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk that it can ’ t grow , has too much debt , is losing customers , and the list goes on .
Thus , many value , or “ cheap ” companies , are not doing that well , which is why people who invest in them are not experiencing returns that are as good as the companies that don ’ t have problems .
Here is another way to think about the efficiency of markets and why it ’ s hard to find a good company at a cheap price .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy a new home in the Denver area .
Do you think you are likely to do an internet search and find a great home that is selling for 30 % less than all the other great homes in your area ?
No .
Why is that ?
Because everyone already knows what a good home is worth .
How does everyone know this ?
Well just check Zillow or any number of other online sites that aggregate massive amounts of data about home sales , square footage , school districts and comparable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the same with stocks .
In today ’ s connected world of big data , there are services that aggregate huge amounts of information about every publicly traded stock out there so that investors can quickly estimate what they are worth .
Fundamental data on sales , earnings , dividends and profits get loaded into systems almost instantly , and the systems spit out an estimated value , just like you see with housing value estimates .
Now , they are estimates , but they are pretty good , and getting better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combing through volumes of obscure financial research on companies nobody ever heard of and finding a diamond in the rough are mostly gone .
That ’ s the main reason why value investing is not working as well .
If you insist on only buying things that look cheap , then you are probably buying a company with some problems , and then you are banking on the company fixing its problems so that the stock price will rise .
But it ’ s not that easy for companies to fix problems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pig in a poke .
Now , does this mean value investing is dead ?
Certainly not .
But in today ’ s markets , it is hard to create a diversified portfolio of value companies , meaning great companies at cheap prices that the rest of the market hasn ’ t figured out yet .
Certainly , there are some , but finding 40 or 50 to create a diversified value portfolio is tough .
Let ’ s go back to our real estate example again .
When is the next time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing deal in Denver ?
You ’ ll probably have to wait for a recession .
That way you can find sellers who are in a pinch and must sell .
And with a recession , there are also fewer buyers .
The combination of pressured sellers and fewer buyers is when you are likely to find a deal .
I expect this will be similar in the stock market .
The next time we ’ ll have an opportunity to buy great companies on sale will be when things get ugly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient and keep some money on the side for the next recession when it ’ s easier to find deals in the stock market , then by all means do that .
But until then , you ’ ll probably have to pay full price if you want to see performance that ’ s competitive with the overall stock market .
Charlie Farrell is a CEO of Northstar Investment Advisors LLC .
This article is for information and education purposes only .
Past performance is no guarantee of future returns , and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Consult your individual financial adviser for guidance specific to your circumstances .
Value returns are represented by the Russell 1000 value index as of Dec. 31 , 2019 .
Data on S & P 500 stock index and Berkshire Hathaway was obtained from Factset and is deemed reliable .

The formula for making money in the stock market is pretty simple: buy low, sell high. Traditionally, the way to buy low was to look for good deals, companies that were “on sale,” or the proverbial diamond in the rough. This style of investing is called value investing, and it intuitively makes sense. For instance, if you love hamburgers and they are on sale, you’d buy more of them. So just apply this theory to buying stocks; wait until you find the ones on sale and buy them.
Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is probably the most famous value investor, and he’s been doing it for almost 65 years. But investing in companies that look like a deal or are cheap hasn’t been working well lately. In fact, Warren Buffett has now underperformed the stock market for the decade ending in 2019.
There are many other value investors out there who are experiencing similar challenges. The performance gap has been widening recently, with value lagging the S&P 500 stock index by over 3% a year for the past five years as of the end of 2019.
What’s the problem with value investing?
First, buying stocks is not like buying hamburgers. If you go to the store and the burgers are on sale, they look just like the burgers at the store down the street that are not on sale. That means you can easily see you are getting the same quality or value for a lower price. But if stocks were like hamburgers, the one that is full price will look like a normal hamburger, and the one that is on sale will look like someone just backed over it with a shopping cart. In a nutshell, that’s the problem with value investing.
Markets are too efficient, and information moves so quickly, it’s hard to find a good company that is on sale. If a company is on sale today, it generally has problems, like that squashed hamburger. Buying a company that has problems, even if it’s cheap, carries other risks. The risk that it can’t grow, has too much debt, is losing customers, and the list goes on. Thus, many value, or “cheap” companies, are not doing that well, which is why people who invest in them are not experiencing returns that are as good as the companies that don’t have problems.
Here is another way to think about the efficiency of markets and why it’s hard to find a good company at a cheap price. Let’s say you want to buy a new home in the Denver area. Do you think you are likely to do an internet search and find a great home that is selling for 30% less than all the other great homes in your area? No. Why is that? Because everyone already knows what a good home is worth. How does everyone know this? Well just check Zillow or any number of other online sites that aggregate massive amounts of data about home sales, square footage, school districts and comparable sales in the same neighborhood.
This is the same with stocks. In today’s connected world of big data, there are services that aggregate huge amounts of information about every publicly traded stock out there so that investors can quickly estimate what they are worth. Fundamental data on sales, earnings, dividends and profits get loaded into systems almost instantly, and the systems spit out an estimated value, just like you see with housing value estimates. Now, they are estimates, but they are pretty good, and getting better all the time.
The days of combing through volumes of obscure financial research on companies nobody ever heard of and finding a diamond in the rough are mostly gone. That’s the main reason why value investing is not working as well. If you insist on only buying things that look cheap, then you are probably buying a company with some problems, and then you are banking on the company fixing its problems so that the stock price will rise. But it’s not that easy for companies to fix problems, and you may end up buying a pig in a poke.
Now, does this mean value investing is dead? Certainly not. But in today’s markets, it is hard to create a diversified portfolio of value companies, meaning great companies at cheap prices that the rest of the market hasn’t figured out yet. Certainly, there are some, but finding 40 or 50 to create a diversified value portfolio is tough.
Let’s go back to our real estate example again. When is the next time you think you’ll find a housing deal in Denver? You’ll probably have to wait for a recession. That way you can find sellers who are in a pinch and must sell. And with a recession, there are also fewer buyers. The combination of pressured sellers and fewer buyers is when you are likely to find a deal. I expect this will be similar in the stock market. The next time we’ll have an opportunity to buy great companies on sale will be when things get ugly in the economy.
If you can be patient and keep some money on the side for the next recession when it’s easier to find deals in the stock market, then by all means do that. But until then, you’ll probably have to pay full price if you want to see performance that’s competitive with the overall stock market.
Charlie Farrell is a CEO of Northstar Investment Advisors LLC. This article is for information and education purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and all investing involves the permanent risk of loss. Consult your individual financial adviser for guidance specific to your circumstances. Value returns are represented by the Russell 1000 value index as of Dec. 31, 2019. Data on S&P 500 stock index and Berkshire Hathaway was obtained from Factset and is deemed reliable.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Keeler: Maurice Jones-Drew talks Karl Dorrell, Mel Tucker, Nick Saban, and why CU Buffs are on the c

Keeler: Maurice Jones-Drew talks Karl Dorrell, Mel Tucker, Nick Saban, and why CU Buffs are on the cusp of glory

BOULDER — If you ’ re not exactly ready to run through a brick wall for Karl Dorrell yet , Maurice Jones-Drew has a little story .
And a warning .
Dude throws it back to September 2005 , when MJD , the former UCLA All-American and three-time Pro Bowl tailback , was yapping with reporters after watching tape for the Bruins ’ second opponent that season , the Rice Owls .
“ I was really confident , running my mouth a little bit , ” recalled Jones-Drew , the current NFL Network analyst .
“ I think I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat this team by 60 , if we don ’ t put up 50 points , this is not a good game for us.
’ ” The next day , his phone rang .
“ Hey , man , ” scolded Dorrell , the Bruins ’ head coach at the time .
“ What are you doing ?
” “ I just felt like watching that tape , offensively , we should dominate this team.
” “ I think your number , ” Dorrell countered , “ was too low.
” Jones-Drew chuckled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of checking me , ” Jones-Drew said from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis .
“ But he was also saying , ‘ We should do better.
’ And that was his message : ‘ Don ’ t set limits on yourself.
’ Don ’ t let the dulcet tones and level head at last Monday ’ s news conference fool you .
If your throat is the only thing standing between Dorrell and sweet victory , CU ’ s new football coach is stepping all over that bad boy .
Also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given time .
Time and a fair shake .
“ Jon Embree was a coach for two years at CU , they didn ’ t give him a chance , ” Jones-Drew said of Dorrell , who posted a 35-27 record in Westwood .
“ I know Mel ( Tucker ) really well , I thought that was a phenomenal hire .
But if you love your coach , you have to give him an opportunity.
” There ’ s also the matter of the elephant in the room , the 13 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that other schools passed on , repeatedly , since UCLA let Dorrell go in December 2007 ?
“ I don ’ t know if he didn ’ t interview well .
I don ’ t know what ’ s going on , ” Jones-Drew said .
“ What I do know is , he ’ s a tremendous coach .
And he ’ s learned .
For me , he ’ s put his time in .
He was a head coach .
We were very successful .
He got fired .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was very successful .
“ ( Dorrell ) had an opportunity to go back out there and showcase his abilities and I hope CU gives him the time to build this program .
I hope people realize that Alabama wasn ’ t good when I was in college .
It took time for ( Nick ) Saban to go in there and build that thing up.
” Jones-Drew knows full well what CU players are thinking right now , having played for Dorrell as a collegian from 2003-05 and also for Tucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 — a five-game stretch in which the former Buffs boss posted a 2-3 record as an interim .
“ I think they ’ re completely different people , but they have the same message , ” MJD said of the last two CU football coaches .
“ Mel ’ s a fired-up guy .
Relentless .
I remember we ’ re in Jacksonville and he tore his quad and so he had to have a cart .
And the cart said , ‘ Relentless ’ on it .
And when that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he put a license plate on it that said , ‘ Relentless II.
’ “ Karl is more a straight-ahead guy .
He ’ s coming from the ( NFL ) .
It ’ s funny to me why more colleges don ’ t get coaches from the NFL .
Alabama went and got Saban from the NFL , his pitch was , ‘ I ’ m going to have you ready for the NFL.
’ And that ’ s what Karl ’ s going to do .
He always challenged us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 63 , Rice 21 .
If you get stuck on the “ speaking softly ” part of the package , you just might miss the big stick .

BOULDER — If you’re not exactly ready to run through a brick wall for Karl Dorrell yet, Maurice Jones-Drew has a little story. And a warning.
Dude throws it back to September 2005, when MJD, the former UCLA All-American and three-time Pro Bowl tailback, was yapping with reporters after watching tape for the Bruins’ second opponent that season, the Rice Owls.
“I was really confident, running my mouth a little bit,” recalled Jones-Drew, the current NFL Network analyst. “I think I said, ‘If we don’t beat this team by 60, if we don’t put up 50 points, this is not a good game for us.’”
The next day, his phone rang.
“Hey, man,” scolded Dorrell, the Bruins’ head coach at the time. “What are you doing?”
“I just felt like watching that tape, offensively, we should dominate this team.”
A pause.
“I think your number,” Dorrell countered, “was too low.”
Jones-Drew chuckled at that one.
“He was kind of checking me,” Jones-Drew said from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “But he was also saying, ‘We should do better.’ And that was his message: ‘Don’t set limits on yourself.’
Don’t let the dulcet tones and level head at last Monday’s news conference fool you. If your throat is the only thing standing between Dorrell and sweet victory, CU’s new football coach is stepping all over that bad boy.
Also, he’ll grow on you, given time. Time and a fair shake.
“Jon Embree was a coach for two years at CU, they didn’t give him a chance,” Jones-Drew said of Dorrell, who posted a 35-27 record in Westwood. “I know Mel (Tucker) really well, I thought that was a phenomenal hire. But if you love your coach, you have to give him an opportunity.”
There’s also the matter of the elephant in the room, the 13 years between head-coaching stops. What did CU see that other schools passed on, repeatedly, since UCLA let Dorrell go in December 2007?
“I don’t know if he didn’t interview well. I don’t know what’s going on,” Jones-Drew said. “What I do know is, he’s a tremendous coach. And he’s learned. For me, he’s put his time in. He was a head coach. We were very successful. He got fired. I don’t know why. He was very successful.
“(Dorrell) had an opportunity to go back out there and showcase his abilities and I hope CU gives him the time to build this program. I hope people realize that Alabama wasn’t good when I was in college. It took time for (Nick) Saban to go in there and build that thing up.”
Jones-Drew knows full well what CU players are thinking right now, having played for Dorrell as a collegian from 2003-05 and also for Tucker as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 — a five-game stretch in which the former Buffs boss posted a 2-3 record as an interim.
“I think they’re completely different people, but they have the same message,” MJD said of the last two CU football coaches.
“Mel’s a fired-up guy. Relentless. I remember we’re in Jacksonville and he tore his quad and so he had to have a cart. And the cart said, ‘Relentless’ on it. And when that cart broke, the next one, he put a license plate on it that said, ‘Relentless II.’
“Karl is more a straight-ahead guy. He’s coming from the (NFL). It’s funny to me why more colleges don’t get coaches from the NFL. Alabama went and got Saban from the NFL, his pitch was, ‘I’m going to have you ready for the NFL.’ And that’s what Karl’s going to do. He always challenged us to be better.”
To wit: UCLA 63, Rice 21. If you get stuck on the “speaking softly” part of the package, you just might miss the big stick.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Colorado’s proposed state health insurance option could save even more if feds contribute $42 millio

Colorado’s proposed state health insurance option could save even more if feds contribute $42 million in tax credit savings

The proposed new Colorado health insurance option could end up saving some customers more than expected and bring in more uninsured people than initially projected — assuming the federal government agrees to pitch in its savings .
An outline released last week by the Polis administration laid out how a proposed insurance plan would save money by reducing payments to hospitals .
An actuarial report on the proposal estimated it would lower premiums overall by about 12 % compared to projected rates for 2022 .
Savings vary by region , from 7 % in Colorado Springs to 20 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is projected to bring about 18,000 uninsured people into the market .
If that ’ s correct , it would reduce the number of Colorado residents without insurance by about 5 % .
That scenario relies on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services agreeing to redirect about $ 42 million it would have otherwise spent subsidizing low- and middle-income insurance buyers toward the state ’ s new plan .
The feds have often agreed to do that for programs like reinsurance ( giving insurance companies a backstop ) , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view Colorado ’ s new proposal .
( The state hasn ’ t submitted a waiver request yet . )
Estimates released in November had come up with about 11 % in premium savings , and no more than 9,200 potential customers .
The new plan grew out of a bill last year ordering state agencies to investigate offering a “ public option , ” which most people take to mean a government-run plan .
Instead , the agencies proposed a privately run insurance plan subject to some additional regulations meant to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers on the new plan .
Everything is subject to change once a bill is introduced and the General Assembly starts debating , though , and there ’ s some uncertainty inherent when trying to predict how people will react to policy changes .
How does this affect me ?
If you buy your health insurance on the individual market and decide to purchase one of the new plans , you could save some money on your monthly premiums .
The report estimated the average insurance buyer could save about $ 280 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around , though , because tax credits to buy insurance are likely to drop and you may end paying more to keep your current plan .
Where you live will influence how much you might save , with monthly premiums expected to be about $ 120 lower in Grand Junction , but only $ 37 lower in Colorado Springs .
In Denver , the report projects monthly savings of about $ 53 .
If you earn between two and four times the poverty line ( $ 51,500 to $ 103,000 for a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save some on out-of-pocket costs , like your deductible and the co-pays you make when you see your doctor .
About one-quarter of people on the individual market fall in that income bracket , and they could save an additional $ 376 on average .
If you ’ re insured by Medicare , Medicaid or another government program , this doesn ’ t affect you .
If you have private insurance through your job , it ’ s a little murkier .
The Colorado Hospital Association has said your local hospitals might need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover what they ’ re not going to get from the state plans , and those costs would most likely be passed on to you .
State officials dispute that hospitals will need to shift costs and say their rates will cover the cost of caring for patients , plus some profit .
Ultimately , hospital and insurance company negotiations typically come down to bargaining power .
If a hospital is the only one in your area , or offers services that patients can ’ t get elsewhere , that facility can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what the state does .
What kind of insurance is this ?
It has to offer the same essential benefits as all individual market plans , like paying for hospital , mental health and maternity care .
Plans would offer a different cost structure — for example , higher monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs if you get sick , or vice versa .
Where is this federal money coming from and how would it be used ?
The federal government pays tax credits to make insurance more affordable for people earning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who buy on the individual market .
The amount of the tax credits is pegged to the cost of the second-cheapest silver ( mid-level ) plan for sale in each area .
So if cheaper plans come onto the market , the amount of the tax credits goes down , and the feds save money .
The actuarial report estimates the federal government would save about $ 42.7 million if the state option goes through .
That ’ s lower than the initial estimated savings , because more people are expected to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approves , Colorado would use most of the money to reduce premiums , with some going toward reducing out-of-pocket costs for some people who don ’ t currently get cost-sharing reduction help .
How much would my local hospital lose ?
Data about individual hospitals hasn ’ t been released yet , but statewide , the average hospital would receive about 168 % of what Medicare pays , compared to the roughly 280 % they receive now .
For example , say Medicare pays your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screening test .
Right now , private insurers pay an average of $ 280 for that test .
Under the proposal , state option plans would pay $ 168 .
Individual hospitals could receive anywhere from 155 % to 218 % — $ 155 to $ 218 in our example — depending on whether they are part of a large hospital system , operating a small facility in a rural area , have kept their costs low and serve lots of patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid .
The actuarial report did include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably be in the Fort Collins area , where hospitals are now earning 369 % of the Medicare rate , but would get an estimated 161 % under the state plans .
The smallest change would be in the Pueblo area , where average rates would drop from 261 % of Medicare to 196 % .
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The proposed new Colorado health insurance option could end up saving some customers more than expected and bring in more uninsured people than initially projected — assuming the federal government agrees to pitch in its savings.
An outline released last week by the Polis administration laid out how a proposed insurance plan would save money by reducing payments to hospitals. An actuarial report on the proposal estimated it would lower premiums overall by about 12% compared to projected rates for 2022. Savings vary by region, from 7% in Colorado Springs to 20% in Fort Collins.
The state plan also is projected to bring about 18,000 uninsured people into the market. If that’s correct, it would reduce the number of Colorado residents without insurance by about 5%.
That scenario relies on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services agreeing to redirect about $42 million it would have otherwise spent subsidizing low- and middle-income insurance buyers toward the state’s new plan. The feds have often agreed to do that for programs like reinsurance (giving insurance companies a backstop), but it’s not clear how they’ll view Colorado’s new proposal. (The state hasn’t submitted a waiver request yet.)
Estimates released in November had come up with about 11% in premium savings, and no more than 9,200 potential customers.
The new plan grew out of a bill last year ordering state agencies to investigate offering a “public option,” which most people take to mean a government-run plan. Instead, the agencies proposed a privately run insurance plan subject to some additional regulations meant to reduce costs.
Below are some questions and answers on the new plan. Everything is subject to change once a bill is introduced and the General Assembly starts debating, though, and there’s some uncertainty inherent when trying to predict how people will react to policy changes.
How does this affect me?
If you buy your health insurance on the individual market and decide to purchase one of the new plans, you could save some money on your monthly premiums. The report estimated the average insurance buyer could save about $280 on premiums annually. Be sure to shop around, though, because tax credits to buy insurance are likely to drop and you may end paying more to keep your current plan.
Where you live will influence how much you might save, with monthly premiums expected to be about $120 lower in Grand Junction, but only $37 lower in Colorado Springs. In Denver, the report projects monthly savings of about $53.
If you earn between two and four times the poverty line ($51,500 to $103,000 for a family of four), you could also save some on out-of-pocket costs, like your deductible and the co-pays you make when you see your doctor. About one-quarter of people on the individual market fall in that income bracket, and they could save an additional $376 on average.
If you’re insured by Medicare, Medicaid or another government program, this doesn’t affect you. If you have private insurance through your job, it’s a little murkier. The Colorado Hospital Association has said your local hospitals might need to ask insurance companies for more money to cover what they’re not going to get from the state plans, and those costs would most likely be passed on to you. State officials dispute that hospitals will need to shift costs and say their rates will cover the cost of caring for patients, plus some profit.
Ultimately, hospital and insurance company negotiations typically come down to bargaining power. If a hospital is the only one in your area, or offers services that patients can’t get elsewhere, that facility can demand more from your insurance company regardless of what the state does.
What kind of insurance is this?
It has to offer the same essential benefits as all individual market plans, like paying for hospital, mental health and maternity care. Plans would offer a different cost structure — for example, higher monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs if you get sick, or vice versa.
Where is this federal money coming from and how would it be used?
The federal government pays tax credits to make insurance more affordable for people earning less than four times the poverty line who buy on the individual market. The amount of the tax credits is pegged to the cost of the second-cheapest silver (mid-level) plan for sale in each area. So if cheaper plans come onto the market, the amount of the tax credits goes down, and the feds save money.
The actuarial report estimates the federal government would save about $42.7 million if the state option goes through. That’s lower than the initial estimated savings, because more people are expected to come into the market as prices drop.
If the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approves, Colorado would use most of the money to reduce premiums, with some going toward reducing out-of-pocket costs for some people who don’t currently get cost-sharing reduction help.
How much would my local hospital lose?
Data about individual hospitals hasn’t been released yet, but statewide, the average hospital would receive about 168% of what Medicare pays, compared to the roughly 280% they receive now.
For example, say Medicare pays your hospital $100 to give you a screening test. Right now, private insurers pay an average of $280 for that test. Under the proposal, state option plans would pay $168.
Individual hospitals could receive anywhere from 155% to 218% — $155 to $218 in our example — depending on whether they are part of a large hospital system, operating a small facility in a rural area, have kept their costs low and serve lots of patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
The actuarial report did include regional estimates. The biggest drop would probably be in the Fort Collins area, where hospitals are now earning 369% of the Medicare rate, but would get an estimated 161% under the state plans. The smallest change would be in the Pueblo area, where average rates would drop from 261% of Medicare to 196%.
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thedenverpost--2020-03-01--NFL Journal: Following free agency and draft, will Phillip Lindsay receive new contract?

INDIANAPOLIS — A contract extension for Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay will be placed on the back-burner as the team works through the early part of the offseason .
“ We ’ ll see where everything falls after free agency , after the draft ( and ) how much money we have , ” general manager John Elway said here during the scouting combine .
“ We would like to be able to do something .
Obviously , Phillip ’ s been great .
If we can do something , we ’ ll try.
” Because Lindsay is an undrafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new contract after his second season .
Draft picks are eligible after their third year .
His 2020 salary cap number is $ 665,000 , one of the best team-friendly bargains in pro football .
In the past two seasons combined Lindsay ranked ninth in the NFL in rushing yards ( 2,048 ) , 13th in attempts ( 416 ) and tied for 11th in rushing touchdowns ( 16 ) .
He is expected to be ready for the offseason program after wrist surgery in January .
There are pluses for both sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsay , it ’ s obvious .
Millions of dollars guaranteed will change his life .
For the Broncos , it would be rewarding one of their success stories ( which always goes over well in the locker room ) and making sure his price doesn ’ t go up if he has another 1,000-yard season in 2020 .
What would a deal look like ?
Undrafted free agents getting new deals after two years is uncommon .
The only one I remember is when Jacksonville signed receiver Allen Hurns to a four-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 million guaranteed ) in June 2016 after he had seasons of 51 catches-677 yards-six touchdowns and 64/1,031/10 .
Hurns struck when the iron was hot and should be glad .
He missed 11 games over the next two seasons because of injury ( 74 catches ) and was cut .
If the Broncos have leftover cap space ( and they should ) , they could do a deal that has Lindsay ’ s cap figure balloon in 2020 .
Joint practice update .
During the combine , Broncos coach Vic Fangio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears for joint practices .
Multiple sources added the Broncos are also exploring the possibility of hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars for a set of joint practices .
Last year , Fangio said he was open to practicing against two teams , but that was reduced to one ( San Francisco ) when the Broncos were selected to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game .
Elway on quarterbacks .
Elway was asked about the older quarterback/available quarterback landscape in the NFL .
“ Obviously , it ’ s a unique ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I think you ’ re seeing that happen , too , because guys are playing so much longer .
They ’ re playing much longer and can still play at a high level.
” Drew Brees , 41 , will play this year , most likely for New Orleans , and Tom Brady , who turns 43 in August , is set to hit the open market for the first time .
Asked if there was a moment in 1998 when retirement became a major consideration , Elway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot my last year .
I pulled a hamstring , which took about three weeks to come back from .
I hurt some ribs .
At that point in time when I wasn ’ t healing as fast — and we had such a good team and were able to win the championship — I kind of looked at it and said , ‘ Why ( play ? )
’ Could I have probably come back ?
Yeah .
The exit for me was the perfect time , having two World Championships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away.
” Saluting Atwater .
Elway delivered a hat tip to former teammate Steve Atwater , who was selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame induction last month .
“ Couldn ’ t happen to a better guy , ” Elway said .
“ He had a such a tremendous career and he ’ s a guy that changed the ( safety ) position because of his size , ( ability to ) move around and play the run and pass and intimidate .
I ’ m thrilled for him.
” Extra OL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement is a rule allowing teams to dress an extra offensive lineman who can only play if a team is down to four healthy options .
“ I was surprised to see that , ” Fangio said .
“ We did have one game last year ( vs. Detroit in Week 16 ) where we played the second half and ( right tackle Elijah ) Wilkinson was hurt and ( left guard ) Dalton ( Risner ) had been taken out ( due to illness ) and we were down to five .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where a tight end had to play offensive line.
” Footnotes .
Thursday ’ s combine workouts , the first in prime time , drew 322,000 viewers , an improvement of 119 % compared to last year when the workouts were in the morning/early afternoon hours .
The viewership peaked at 507,000 from 7-7:15 p.m. Denver time .
… Elway went through several competition committee meetings in Indianapolis and said the group will convene in Naples , Fla. , the week before the league meetings in Palm Beach .

INDIANAPOLIS — A contract extension for Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay will be placed on the back-burner as the team works through the early part of the offseason.
“We’ll see where everything falls after free agency, after the draft (and) how much money we have,” general manager John Elway said here during the scouting combine. “We would like to be able to do something. Obviously, Phillip’s been great. If we can do something, we’ll try.”
Because Lindsay is an undrafted free agent he is eligible for a new contract after his second season. Draft picks are eligible after their third year. His 2020 salary cap number is $665,000, one of the best team-friendly bargains in pro football.
In the past two seasons combined Lindsay ranked ninth in the NFL in rushing yards (2,048), 13th in attempts (416) and tied for 11th in rushing touchdowns (16). He is expected to be ready for the offseason program after wrist surgery in January.
There are pluses for both sides to do a contract extension. For Lindsay, it’s obvious. Millions of dollars guaranteed will change his life. For the Broncos, it would be rewarding one of their success stories (which always goes over well in the locker room) and making sure his price doesn’t go up if he has another 1,000-yard season in 2020.
What would a deal look like?
Undrafted free agents getting new deals after two years is uncommon. The only one I remember is when Jacksonville signed receiver Allen Hurns to a four-year, $40 million deal ($20 million guaranteed) in June 2016 after he had seasons of 51 catches-677 yards-six touchdowns and 64/1,031/10. Hurns struck when the iron was hot and should be glad. He missed 11 games over the next two seasons because of injury (74 catches) and was cut.
If the Broncos have leftover cap space (and they should), they could do a deal that has Lindsay’s cap figure balloon in 2020.
Joint practice update. During the combine, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said he was hoping to host the Chicago Bears for joint practices. Multiple sources added the Broncos are also exploring the possibility of hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars for a set of joint practices.
Last year, Fangio said he was open to practicing against two teams, but that was reduced to one (San Francisco) when the Broncos were selected to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
Elway on quarterbacks. Elway was asked about the older quarterback/available quarterback landscape in the NFL.
“Obviously, it’s a unique (veteran) quarterback class this year,” he said. “I think you’re seeing that happen, too, because guys are playing so much longer. They’re playing much longer and can still play at a high level.”
Drew Brees, 41, will play this year, most likely for New Orleans, and Tom Brady, who turns 43 in August, is set to hit the open market for the first time.
Elway played his final season at age 38.
Asked if there was a moment in 1998 when retirement became a major consideration, Elway said: “I got banged up a lot my last year. I pulled a hamstring, which took about three weeks to come back from. I hurt some ribs. At that point in time when I wasn’t healing as fast — and we had such a good team and were able to win the championship — I kind of looked at it and said, ‘Why (play?)’ Could I have probably come back? Yeah. The exit for me was the perfect time, having two World Championships, so I decided to just walk away.”
Saluting Atwater. Elway delivered a hat tip to former teammate Steve Atwater, who was selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame induction last month.
“Couldn’t happen to a better guy,” Elway said. “He had a such a tremendous career and he’s a guy that changed the (safety) position because of his size, (ability to) move around and play the run and pass and intimidate. I’m thrilled for him.”
Extra OL rule. Part of the collective bargaining agreement is a rule allowing teams to dress an extra offensive lineman who can only play if a team is down to four healthy options.
“I was surprised to see that,” Fangio said. “We did have one game last year (vs. Detroit in Week 16) where we played the second half and (right tackle Elijah) Wilkinson was hurt and (left guard) Dalton (Risner) had been taken out (due to illness) and we were down to five. I have never been in a game where a tight end had to play offensive line.”
Footnotes. Thursday’s combine workouts, the first in prime time, drew 322,000 viewers, an improvement of 119% compared to last year when the workouts were in the morning/early afternoon hours. The viewership peaked at 507,000 from 7-7:15 p.m. Denver time. … Elway went through several competition committee meetings in Indianapolis and said the group will convene in Naples, Fla., the week before the league meetings in Palm Beach.


thedenverpost--2020-03-02--Pavel Francouz, “salt of the Earth,” is the man for the job in Avalanche net

NASHVILLE , Tenn. — The Avalanche is in good hands in goal .
Pavel Francouz is proving he is highly capable of leading this team into the playoffs , and his experience and maturity suggest he will flourish in such a role .
When or if opening-night starter Philipp Grubauer returns from a lower-body injury that has him out indefinitely , Francouz will probably still have control of Colorado ’ s net .
The affable Francouz is in his first full NHL season but has 11 years of big-game experience .
The Czech Republic native made six appearances for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the World Championship .
He played professionally in the Czech Republic and Russia ’ s Kontinental Hockey League before beginning his North American career last season with the Colorado Eagles , where he became an AHL all-star and led the franchise to the playoffs .
Since Grubauer went down Feb. 15 at the outdoor game at Air Force , Francouz has gone 6-0-1 , including 6-0 in his last six , when he allowed just a combined eight goals .
The Avs needed strong goaltending during that time , after Mikko Rantanen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calvert on the injured list .
Midway through this streak , Francouz signed a two-year , $ 4 million contract extension Feb. 21 at Anaheim before beating the Ducks 1-0 for his first career NHL shutout .
After Saturday ’ s 3-2 win at Nashville , Francouz is 19-5-3 and tied for second in NHL save percentage ( .929 ) and fifth in goals-against average ( 2.24 ) .
In comparison , Grubauer ( 18-12-4 ) is ranked 16th in both save percentage ( .916 ) and GAA ( 2.63 ) .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 4 regular-season finale could be fantastic • Altitude/Comcast dispute : Worst-case scenario extends blackout well into the future • Avalanche ’ s Martin Kaut relishes first NHL goal in win against Sabres : “ That goal was for my mom ” The Avs begin their final 18-game stretch Monday at Detroit , the NHL ’ s worst team , and we could see the recently acquired Michael Hutchinson start in net to give Francouz a rest .
Perhaps Grubauer also gets a start or two before the playoffs if his recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popularity contest , Francouz would get as many starts as he desired .
Francouz , a.k.a .
Frankie , is listed at 6-foot but looks eye-to-eye with someone who ’ s 5-10 .
Part of his charm is the modesty he carries himself with .
He constantly talks about supporting the stellar play of the teammates in front of him .
He ’ s never negative , always positive .
“ He ’ s been a big reason for why we ’ re sitting at six straight wins now , and he doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said of Francouz after Saturday ’ s franchise record-setting eighth consecutive victory on the road .
“ He just keeps playing his game .
He is kind of the ultimate teammate , to be honest with you .
He doesn ’ t complain about anything and is super positive .
He certainly deserves all this.
” That stuff rubs off in hockey .
Hockey players always yearn for a tight locker room with little or no issues .
Goalies are typically a different breed , but Francouz promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frankie “ salt of the Earth ” last fall .
If that means taking on a challenge with little , to no fuss , Bednar nailed it .
Francouz is the man for the job .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Avalanche is in good hands in goal.
Pavel Francouz is proving he is highly capable of leading this team into the playoffs, and his experience and maturity suggest he will flourish in such a role.
When or if opening-night starter Philipp Grubauer returns from a lower-body injury that has him out indefinitely, Francouz will probably still have control of Colorado’s net.
The affable Francouz is in his first full NHL season but has 11 years of big-game experience. The Czech Republic native made six appearances for his country at 18-under and 20-under international tournaments and the World Championship. He played professionally in the Czech Republic and Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League before beginning his North American career last season with the Colorado Eagles, where he became an AHL all-star and led the franchise to the playoffs.
Since Grubauer went down Feb. 15 at the outdoor game at Air Force, Francouz has gone 6-0-1, including 6-0 in his last six, when he allowed just a combined eight goals. The Avs needed strong goaltending during that time, after Mikko Rantanen joined fellow forwards Nazem Kadri and Matt Calvert on the injured list.
Midway through this streak, Francouz signed a two-year, $4 million contract extension Feb. 21 at Anaheim before beating the Ducks 1-0 for his first career NHL shutout.
After Saturday’s 3-2 win at Nashville, Francouz is 19-5-3 and tied for second in NHL save percentage (.929) and fifth in goals-against average (2.24). In comparison, Grubauer (18-12-4) is ranked 16th in both save percentage (.916) and GAA (2.63).
The Avs begin their final 18-game stretch Monday at Detroit, the NHL’s worst team, and we could see the recently acquired Michael Hutchinson start in net to give Francouz a rest. Perhaps Grubauer also gets a start or two before the playoffs if his recovery allows.
But if this was a popularity contest, Francouz would get as many starts as he desired.
Francouz, a.k.a. Frankie, is listed at 6-foot but looks eye-to-eye with someone who’s 5-10. Part of his charm is the modesty he carries himself with. He constantly talks about supporting the stellar play of the teammates in front of him. He’s never negative, always positive.
“He’s been a big reason for why we’re sitting at six straight wins now, and he doesn’t get rattled by anything,” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said of Francouz after Saturday’s franchise record-setting eighth consecutive victory on the road. “He just keeps playing his game. He is kind of the ultimate teammate, to be honest with you. He doesn’t complain about anything and is super positive. He certainly deserves all this.”
That stuff rubs off in hockey. Hockey players always yearn for a tight locker room with little or no issues. Goalies are typically a different breed, but Francouz promotes cohesion.
Avs coach Jared Bednar called Frankie “salt of the earth” last fall.
If that means taking on a challenge with little, to no fuss, Bednar nailed it.
Francouz is the man for the job.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Pete Buttigieg is ending his presidential campaign, AP sources say

Pete Buttigieg , who rose from being a small-town Midwestern mayor to a barrier-breaking , top-tier candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination , is ending his campaign .
Three people with knowledge of Buttigieg ’ s decision told The Associated Press he began informing campaign staff on Sunday .
They were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity .
His campaign said Buttigieg will speak Sunday night in South Bend , Indiana .
Buttigieg , the first openly gay candidate to seriously contend for the presidency , was perhaps the most consistently impressive candidate in the Democratic field — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the case that his party thrived when it embraced candidates who offered generational change .
But the millennial , Afghanistan war veteran ended up being more successful at winning older voters while Sen. Bernie Sander , 78 , captured the energy of younger ones .
Voters saw Buttigieg in the more moderate lane of the Democratic field , and he flourished early with a top finish in the Iowa caucuses and a close second place finish in New Hampshire .
But as the race moved to more diverse states , less dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His departure from the race reflects the growing pressuring among more moderate Democrats to consolidate in an effort to blunt the rise of Sanders , who Buttigeig said was too liberal to be elected .

WASHINGTON — Pete Buttigieg, who rose from relative obscurity as an Indiana mayor to a barrier-breaking, top-tier candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, ended his campaign on Sunday.
The decision by the first openly gay candidate to seriously contend for the presidency — and among the youngest ever — came just a day after a leading rival, Joe Biden, scored a resounding victory in South Carolina. That sparked new pressure on the party’s moderate wing to coalesce behind the former vice president.
“The truth is the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy if not for our cause,” Buttigieg, 38, told supporters in South Bend, Indiana. “We must recognize that at this point in the race, the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and country together.”
He didn’t endorse any of his former rivals, though he and Biden traded voicemails on Sunday. Buttigieg has spent the past several weeks warning that nominating progressive leader Bernie Sanders to take on President Donald Trump would be risky.
Buttigieg on Sunday called on supporters to ensure that a Democrat wins the White House in November and that the party’s success carries over to down-ballot races for House and Senate. During previous debates, Buttigieg said Sanders could threaten Democratic seats in Congress.
More broadly, Buttigieg urged Americans to move beyond the divisive politics of the Trump era to embrace a more inclusive, unifying approach.
“Politics at its worst is ugly,” he said. “But at its best, politics can lift us up. It is not just policymaking. It is moral. It is soulcraft. That’s why we’re in this.”
Buttigieg kissed his husband, Chasten, as he walked onto the stage and offered a message for children who might be watching.
“We send a message to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than,” Buttigieg said. “To see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a leading American presidential candidate with his husband by his side.”
Voters saw Buttigieg in the more moderate lane of the Democratic field, and he flourished early with a top finish in the Iowa caucuses and a close second place finish in New Hampshire. But as the race moved to more diverse states, less dependent on college-educated voters, Buttigieg struggled.
Despite robust organizations in Iowa and New Hampshire and supporters who included an influx of former independents and Republicans, Buttigieg failed to overcome daunting questions about his ability to draw African American support key to the Democratic base.
He earned just 3% of the nonwhite vote in South Carolina’s Saturday primary, according to AP VoteCast, a a wide-ranging survey of the electorate.
As mayor of a city that is 25% black, Buttigieg faced criticism for firing the first African American police chief in the history of South Bend and for his handling of the case of a white police officer who fatally shot an armed black man in June.
A Black Lives Matter group from South Bend released a statement saying it was “excited” that Buttigieg left the race. “We hope that he learned his lesson — that neoliberalism and anti-Black policies will no longer be tolerated,” the group wrote.
After his unexpected rise to contention in Iowa and New Hampshire last fall, Buttigieg became the target of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren for the high-dollar fundraisers he was hosting, notably one in a wine cave in California.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar also went at Buttigieg in the months before the caucuses for lacking national experience. She noted that he had lost his only statewide race as a candidate for Indiana treasurer in 2010, while she had won three statewide terms in Minnesota in part by carrying Republican-heavy regions.
Buttigieg presented a starkly different figure on the debate stage than the other leading candidates — all septuagenarians — and drew admirers for his calm, reasoned demeanor and rhetorical skills that reflected his Harvard-trained, Rhodes scholar background but that some voters and operatives described as “robotic.”
Buttigieg had modeled his campaign somewhat on that of former President Barack Obama, who won the 2008 Iowa caucuses largely based on a message of unity and by drawing in a healthy bloc of first-time caucus participants, often the key in a crowded, high-turnout contest.
Jim Ward, a volunteer on the campaign in South Bend, said he and others were at the local campaign office training at around 6 p.m. when they learned of Buttigieg’s decision.
“They got word and left rather quickly,” he said in a text with the AP, noting that he had mixed emotions.
“I am so proud the campaign and proud of Pete for making this decision when he’s making it and not prolonging the campaign any longer than necessary,” Ward said. “I am just so, so sad that it didn’t work out this time.”
Democratic strategist David Axelrod said “the Pete Buttigieg story isn’t over.”
“He’s 38 years old,” Axelrod said. “He’s vaulted himself into the national conversation. He obviously has work to do on some things that — some weaknesses we’ve seen in this election — but whenever there is a conversation again about Democratic candidates, he’ll be in that conversation. And that’s a remarkable achievement, given where he started a year ago.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Expect the Rockies’ outfield to remain somewhat fluid, with a platoon likely out in left

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — As spring training crescendos toward opening day in a few weeks , expect Colorado ’ s outfield situation to remain somewhat fluid .
The unit ’ s projected starters are David Dahl in center and Charlie Blackmon in right , while right field is setting up to be shared among veteran Ian Desmond , the emerging Raimel Tapia and rookie Sam Hilliard ( if he makes the roster ) .
“ There could be a mix there , whether it ’ s a straight platoon or not , ” Rockies manager Bud Black said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , that he really hits lefties .
So once the season is underway , it should be a mix.
” In addition to those daily matchups that Black will certainly weigh while filling out the lineup card — Desmond slashed .297/.350/.626 against left-handers last year compared to .226/.282/.375 against righties — there ’ s also the consideration of health .
Dahl will inevitably need days off , as will Blackmon , in order to keep the slowed 33-year-old fresh throughout a long season .
Garrett Hampson and Yonathan Daza could provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ With getting guys days off , getting guys their starts , playing the hot hand , ( all our main outfield ) guys are going to play , ” Black said .
“ It could be similar to what happened last year as the season got underway and you saw some ( platoon ) things we were trying to do.
” Injury updates .
Southpaw prospect Ben Bowden , in his second big-league camp after being put on the 40-man roster in November , has yet to pitch this spring training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower back .
The 25-year-old has been rehabbing for the last several weeks and began light throwing Saturday .
Bowden , who had lower back surgery in 2017 to correct a herniated disc , said the team is being cautious in his return even though there are some days where the left-hander feels “ pretty good.
” “ I can function , and there ’ s times I can feel absolutely fine , but the next morning I wake up feeling worse , ” Bowden said .
“ It ’ s tough being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll continue to .
… If I rush my rehab , especially with my back history , it ’ s not going to do myself or anybody any good.
” In other pitching injury news , right-hander Tim Melville is also in mid-rehab for a broken rib .
The right-hander believes the injury occurred in his final start of last season , but because the pain was so mild , he didn ’ t think anything of it .
Melville worked out as usual all offseason , but when he got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began throwing , he noticed the issue ( pain in his rib along his back , by his lat muscle ) crop up again .
“ I didn ’ t think it was that significant , so I went into the offseason and did my normal workout routine , ” Melville said .
“ I threw about five bullpens , and it started getting sore again .
I got it checked out .
The area had tried to heal , but it wasn ’ t fully healed yet.
” Melville , in camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minor-league deal with the Rockies in the offseason , will have another CT scan in about three weeks to determine when he can resume throwing .
On the mound : German Marquez looked sharp with three scoreless innings , and Wade Davis followed him with another scoreless frame .
Southpaw Jake McGee struggled in his inning , giving up two runs on three hits , while Scott Oberg made his spring debut ( one inning , one hit , no runs ) and prospect Tommy Doyle got the save .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an RBI double , and Charlie Blackmon also had an RBI double .
Nolan Arenado drew two walks , and Ian Desmond hit a solo home run in the sixth inning .
Worth noting : Blackmon hit in the three hole Sunday , which is somewhat unusual for him .
But manager Bud Black said not to read too much into the team ’ s batting order right now : “ We ’ re talking about a couple of different things , but we know what ( Blackmon ) can do from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could possibly be there , or ( David ) Dahl , or ( Garrett ) Hampson .
We ’ ll see how it plays out.
” Up next : Rockies ( 4-4 ) at Mariners ( 3-6 ) , 1:10 p.m. Monday , Peoria Sports Complex Subscribe to our Rockies Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox .

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As spring training crescendos toward opening day in a few weeks, expect Colorado’s outfield situation to remain somewhat fluid.
The unit’s projected starters are David Dahl in center and Charlie Blackmon in right, while left field is setting up to be shared among veteran Ian Desmond, the emerging Raimel Tapia and rookie Sam Hilliard (if he makes the roster).
“There could be a mix there, whether it’s a straight platoon or not,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “(Desmond) has proven, especially last year, that he really hits lefties. So once the season is underway, it should be a mix.”
In addition to those daily matchups that Black will certainly weigh while filling out the lineup card — Desmond slashed .297/.350/.626 against left-handers last year compared to .226/.282/.375 against righties — there’s also the consideration of health.
Dahl will inevitably need days off, as will Blackmon, in order to keep the slowed 33-year-old fresh throughout a long season. Garrett Hampson and Yonathan Daza could provide further depth for all of those needs.
“With getting guys days off, getting guys their starts, playing the hot hand, (all our main outfield) guys are going to play,” Black said. “It could be similar to what happened last year as the season got underway and you saw some (platoon) things we were trying to do.”
2019 outfield breakdown by starts
Left: Tapia 78, Dahl 37, Desmond 37, Hilliard 4, Daza 3, Hampson 2
Center: Desmond 67, Dahl 36, Hampson 20, Daza 19, Hilliard 11, Tapia 9
Right: Blackmon 134, Dahl 19, Tapia 4, Hilliard 3, Daza 2
Injury updates. Southpaw prospect Ben Bowden, in his second big-league camp after being put on the 40-man roster in November, has yet to pitch this spring training because of tightness and inflammation in his lower back.
The 25-year-old has been rehabbing for the last several weeks and began light throwing Saturday. Bowden, who had lower back surgery in 2017 to correct a herniated disc, said the team is being cautious in his return even though there are some days where the left-hander feels “pretty good.”
“I can function, and there’s times I can feel absolutely fine, but the next morning I wake up feeling worse,” Bowden said. “It’s tough being patient, but I have to and I’ll continue to. … If I rush my rehab, especially with my back history, it’s not going to do myself or anybody any good.”
In other pitching injury news, right-hander Tim Melville is also in mid-rehab for a broken rib. The right-hander believes the injury occurred in his final start of last season, but because the pain was so mild, he didn’t think anything of it.
Melville worked out as usual all offseason, but when he got to Salt River Fields in January and began throwing, he noticed the issue (pain in his rib along his back, by his lat muscle) crop up again.
“I didn’t think it was that significant, so I went into the offseason and did my normal workout routine,” Melville said. “I threw about five bullpens, and it started getting sore again. I got it checked out. The area had tried to heal, but it wasn’t fully healed yet.”
Melville, in camp as a nonroster invitee after re-signing on a minor-league deal with the Rockies in the offseason, will have another CT scan in about three weeks to determine when he can resume throwing.
Rockies 6, Angels 3
At Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Ariz.
On the mound: German Marquez looked sharp with three scoreless innings, and Wade Davis followed him with another scoreless frame. Southpaw Jake McGee struggled in his inning, giving up two runs on three hits, while Scott Oberg made his spring debut (one inning, one hit, no runs) and prospect Tommy Doyle got the save.
At the plate: Trevor Story was 2-for-3 with an RBI double, and Charlie Blackmon also had an RBI double. Nolan Arenado drew two walks, and Ian Desmond hit a solo home run in the sixth inning.
Worth noting: Blackmon hit in the three hole Sunday, which is somewhat unusual for him. But manager Bud Black said not to read too much into the team’s batting order right now: “We’re talking about a couple of different things, but we know what (Blackmon) can do from the top. We’re thinking he could possibly be there, or (David) Dahl, or (Garrett) Hampson. We’ll see how it plays out.”
Up next: Rockies (4-4) at Mariners (3-6), 1:10 p.m. Monday, Peoria Sports Complex
Rockies pitchers: RHP Jon Gray, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP Carlos Estevez, LHP Tim Collins, RHP Yency Almonte, RHP Jesus Tinoco
Mariners pitchers: LHP Justus Sheffield, LHP Wei-Yin Chen, LHP Anthony Misiewicz, RHP Zac Grotz, RHP Wyatt Mills, RHP Joey Gerber
Subscribe to our Rockies Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Berthoud graduate Samantha Poirier is UCHealth LifeLine’s first female pilot

Samantha Poirier was flying helicopters to dry out cherry trees in Washington state in 2016 when her younger sister was in a serious ATV accident in the Poudre Canyon .
Seeing the flight crew that literally saved her sister Savanna ’ s life pushed Samantha to become a medical pilot herself .
“ I just couldn ’ t describe how thankful I was that they were there , they took that flight , and they saved her life , ” said Samantha , a 2005 Berthoud High School graduate who is UCHealth LifeLine ’ s first female pilot .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The only way I can repay this is to be there for people like someone was there for my family.
” Now on the job for nearly a year , based at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland , Samantha loves her job .
She loves flying a helicopter .
She loves her fellow crew members , who she describes as a second family .
And most of all she loves helping people in need .
“ It ’ s what I ’ m supposed to be doing , ” Samantha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my bones.
” Monday kicks off the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week — a time to honor women pilots across the world who are making their way in a male dominated field and to encourage new generations of females to pursue careers in aviation .
This year , the awareness week marks the 110th anniversary of the world ’ s first female pilot to obtain a license on March 8 , 1910 — Raymonde de Laroche .
The week aims to introduce girls to different careers in aviation .
Women pilots are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more rare in the medical helicopter realm .
“ She ’ s paving that path on that , ” said Savanna .
Samantha said some patients have even done a double take at seeing a woman behind the controls because they expect “ a big burly man.
” But she is quick to point out that she has all the same training and same expectations as the men who serve in the cockpit .
She is proud to be UCHealth LifeLine ’ s first female pilot , but she doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male pilots .
She ’ s one of the team , well trained , just like they are .
“ I ’ m proud , and I ’ m honored to hold that position , ” Samantha said .
“ It ’ s huge for me , but I never thought that I couldn ’ t do it … If you think you want to do something , do it .
Because you can.
” After graduating from Berthoud High School , Samantha went to school to pursue a career as an air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take an introduction to flight class so she could experience what it was like from the other side .
One flight in a fixed-wing aircraft out of the Northern Colorado Regional Airport and she was hooked ; she knew she wanted to be a pilot .
She sold her beloved horse to pay for the required lessons to become a licensed pilot , which she achieved in 2013 .
The first incarnation of her career was flying helicopters for wildlife agencies in different states to survey animal populations and to capture animals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her flight hours for wildlife were in Alaska , Idaho , Washington state and Texas , though she did some work in Colorado .
Then in 2016 , she was “ flying cherry trees ” ( hovering a helicopter over the trees to dry them out ) in Washington state when her sister was in a very serious ATV accident west of Fort Collins .
Samantha remembers talking to her sister as she drove toward that camping trip , and then later hearing the news of her accident .
She rushed back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where , because of time she had worked at the Loveland airport , she knew the flight crew who had saved her sister .
Savanna suffered a serious head injury , a broken back and other severe injuries .
She spent time in the intensive care unit , went through several surgeries , therapy and rehabilitation on her road to recovery .
And , she said , her sister helped her greatly every step of the way .
Soon after , Samantha took the next step and completed the 2,000 hours of flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other trainings she needed to pilot a medical helicopter .
These include special classes for night vision , mountain flying and more .
“ She really wanted to give back to those pilots , ” said Savanna , who is now in school in Denver .
“ She really wanted to be in that situation .
She saw it firsthand that if that hadn ’ t been there for us , I wouldn ’ t be here today to tell my story .
I think it sort of put that in motion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest fan … She ’ s just been super inspiring to see what she ’ s able to do.
” Samantha applied for three different jobs , and she was offered all three .
With the goal of eventually returning to Colorado , she accepted a position as a REACH Air Medical Services pilot based in California .
But before she even began training with the company , which contracts with UCHealth , she received a change of assignment to Loveland .
She started in March of 2019 .
She is part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each work 12-hour shifts for seven days in a row , and then have seven days off .
But it doesn ’ t feel like work to Samantha , who said being a medical pilot is more of a calling and a career she plans to continue , hopefully in time working up to lead pilot position and then to serve as someone who trains new pilots .
Her first patient transport was with the same medical team and in the same helicopter that had transported her sister , Savanna , three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to be .
Her sister , Savanna , has visited her on the job and had the opportunity to meet the crew that saved her life .
That has meant the world to her , and it was special , too , for flight nurse Ryan Bushmaker .
He said he doesn ’ t often get to see what happens to patients after a flight for life .
“ It shows you how small the world is , ” said Ryan .
“ It ’ s nice to know that what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspires Samantha in her career .
She loves hearing from patients she has flown .
“ That ’ s my paycheck , not what ’ s in my account , ” Samantha said .
“ When somebody comes back and says you flew my family , that ’ s my paycheck because I ’ ve been there.
” While women are not as prevalent as men in the aviation industry , they have been making their mark for hundreds of years .
Here ’ s some female firsts compiled by those behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its website womenofaviationweek.org .
1784 : Marie Élisabeth Thible of France , first woman to fly in an untethered hot air balloon .
1798 : Jeanne Labrosse , the first woman to pilot a balloon for a solo flight .
A year later , in 1799 , she became the first woman to parachute jump .
1903 : American Aida de Acosta became the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft on a solo flight .
1910 : Raymonde de Laroche , the first woman to earn a pilot ’ s license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany , the first woman to patent an aircraft design .
1915 : Marie Marvingt of France , the first woman to fly in combat .
1937 : Sabiha Gökçen of Turkey , first woman to fly a fighter aircraft in combat ; Hanna Reitsch of Germany , first woman to pilot a helicopter .
1963 : Valentine Tereshkova of Russia , first woman to fly in space .
1964 : American Geraldine Mock , first woman to fly solo around the world .

Samantha Poirier was flying helicopters to dry out cherry trees in Washington state in 2016 when her younger sister was in a serious ATV accident in the Poudre Canyon.
Seeing the flight crew that literally saved her sister Savanna’s life pushed Samantha to become a medical pilot herself.
“I just couldn’t describe how thankful I was that they were there, they took that flight, and they saved her life,” said Samantha, a 2005 Berthoud High School graduate who is UCHealth LifeLine’s first female pilot.
“I thought I have to do this. The only way I can repay this is to be there for people like someone was there for my family.”
Now on the job for nearly a year, based at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Samantha loves her job. She loves flying a helicopter. She loves her fellow crew members, who she describes as a second family. And most of all she loves helping people in need.
“It’s what I’m supposed to be doing,” Samantha said. “I feel that deep in my bones.”
Monday kicks off the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week — a time to honor women pilots across the world who are making their way in a male dominated field and to encourage new generations of females to pursue careers in aviation. This year, the awareness week marks the 110th anniversary of the world’s first female pilot to obtain a license on March 8, 1910 — Raymonde de Laroche.
The week aims to introduce girls to different careers in aviation. Women pilots are not as common as men and are even more rare in the medical helicopter realm.
“She’s paving that path on that,” said Savanna.
Samantha said some patients have even done a double take at seeing a woman behind the controls because they expect “a big burly man.” But she is quick to point out that she has all the same training and same expectations as the men who serve in the cockpit.
She is proud to be UCHealth LifeLine’s first female pilot, but she doesn’t see herself as set apart from the male pilots. She’s one of the team, well trained, just like they are.
“I’m proud, and I’m honored to hold that position,” Samantha said. “It’s huge for me, but I never thought that I couldn’t do it … If you think you want to do something, do it. Because you can.”
After graduating from Berthoud High School, Samantha went to school to pursue a career as an air traffic controller. Her professor suggested she take an introduction to flight class so she could experience what it was like from the other side. One flight in a fixed-wing aircraft out of the Northern Colorado Regional Airport and she was hooked; she knew she wanted to be a pilot.
She sold her beloved horse to pay for the required lessons to become a licensed pilot, which she achieved in 2013. The first incarnation of her career was flying helicopters for wildlife agencies in different states to survey animal populations and to capture animals to be studied and tracked.
Most of her flight hours for wildlife were in Alaska, Idaho, Washington state and Texas, though she did some work in Colorado.
Then in 2016, she was “flying cherry trees” (hovering a helicopter over the trees to dry them out) in Washington state when her sister was in a very serious ATV accident west of Fort Collins.
Samantha remembers talking to her sister as she drove toward that camping trip, and then later hearing the news of her accident. She rushed back to Loveland to Medical Center of the Rockies where, because of time she had worked at the Loveland airport, she knew the flight crew who had saved her sister.
Savanna suffered a serious head injury, a broken back and other severe injuries. She spent time in the intensive care unit, went through several surgeries, therapy and rehabilitation on her road to recovery. And, she said, her sister helped her greatly every step of the way.
Soon after, Samantha took the next step and completed the 2,000 hours of flight time, specialized instrument training and the other trainings she needed to pilot a medical helicopter. These include special classes for night vision, mountain flying and more.
“She really wanted to give back to those pilots,” said Savanna, who is now in school in Denver. “She really wanted to be in that situation. She saw it firsthand that if that hadn’t been there for us, I wouldn’t be here today to tell my story. I think it sort of put that in motion for her.
“I’m her biggest fan … She’s just been super inspiring to see what she’s able to do.”
Samantha applied for three different jobs, and she was offered all three. With the goal of eventually returning to Colorado, she accepted a position as a REACH Air Medical Services pilot based in California. But before she even began training with the company, which contracts with UCHealth, she received a change of assignment to Loveland. She started in March of 2019.
She is part of a team of four pilots. They each work 12-hour shifts for seven days in a row, and then have seven days off. But it doesn’t feel like work to Samantha, who said being a medical pilot is more of a calling and a career she plans to continue, hopefully in time working up to lead pilot position and then to serve as someone who trains new pilots.
Her first patient transport was with the same medical team and in the same helicopter that had transported her sister, Savanna, three years earlier.
For Samantha, it was meant to be. Her sister, Savanna, has visited her on the job and had the opportunity to meet the crew that saved her life.
That has meant the world to her, and it was special, too, for flight nurse Ryan Bushmaker. He said he doesn’t often get to see what happens to patients after a flight for life.
“It shows you how small the world is,” said Ryan. “It’s nice to know that what you do makes a difference.”
That knowledge inspires Samantha in her career. She loves hearing from patients she has flown.
“That’s my paycheck, not what’s in my account,” Samantha said. “When somebody comes back and says you flew my family, that’s my paycheck because I’ve been there.”
Female firsts
While women are not as prevalent as men in the aviation industry, they have been making their mark for hundreds of years. Here’s some female firsts compiled by those behind the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week and posted on its website womenofaviationweek.org.
1784: Marie Élisabeth Thible of France, first woman to fly in an untethered hot air balloon.
1798: Jeanne Labrosse, the first woman to pilot a balloon for a solo flight. A year later, in 1799, she became the first woman to parachute jump.
1903: American Aida de Acosta became the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft on a solo flight.
1910: Raymonde de Laroche, the first woman to earn a pilot’s license.
1912: Amelie Hedwig Beese of Germany, the first woman to patent an aircraft design.
1913: American Katherine Stinson, the first commissioned female airmail pilot.
1915: Marie Marvingt of France, the first woman to fly in combat.
1927: Marga von Etzdorf of Germany, first female airline pilot.
1929: American Florence Lowe Barnes, first woman movie stunt pilot.
1935: Marie Marvingt of France, first certified flight nurse.
1937: Sabiha Gökçen of Turkey, first woman to fly a fighter aircraft in combat; Hanna Reitsch of Germany, first woman to pilot a helicopter.
1963: Valentine Tereshkova of Russia, first woman to fly in space.
1964: American Geraldine Mock, first woman to fly solo around the world.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Shaun White says he’ll skip skateboard, stick to snow

VAIL — If the world sees Shaun White at an Olympics again , it will be in 2022 , not later this year .
The three-time snowboarding champion told The Associated Press that he is taking skateboarding off his plate and won ’ t try to qualify for that sport ’ s Olympic debut later this year in Tokyo .
“ The decision became less about going for skate and more about , am I willing to walk away from snow ?
” White said this weekend while attending the Burton U.S. Open .
“ It just was going in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t feel comfortable with it and I can ’ t wholeheartedly choose this path with what I ’ ve got going on snow.
” White , who for years was every bit as successful a skateboarder as a snowboarder , had been dangling the possibility of joining the rare group of athletes to compete in both Winter and Summer Games .
He has long excelled in vert contests , which most resemble a snowboard halfpipe competition , but is not part of the Olympic program .
He was trying to make the switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterpipes with stairs and rails .
White headed to Brazil last summer to compete at skateboarding world championships , where he finished 13th .
He thought about it for a while and realized the work he ’ d have to put in to compete against full-time skateboarders for an Olympic spot would compromise his chances of returning to the Winter Games in Beijing for a shot at a fourth gold medal .
Do you love watching the Olympics ?
Come talk about the Games with us on our exclusive Facebook group .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m committed to going to China , but it doesn ’ t feel too far-fetched for me , ” said the 33-year-old White .
“ I still feel great and that ’ s where it got left for me .
I ’ m dipping back into snow , and doing what feels right .
”

VAIL — If the world sees Shaun White at an Olympics again, it will be in 2022, not later this year.
The three-time snowboarding champion told The Associated Press that he is taking skateboarding off his plate and won’t try to qualify for that sport’s Olympic debut later this year in Tokyo.
“The decision became less about going for skate and more about, am I willing to walk away from snow?” White said this weekend while attending the Burton U.S. Open. “It just was going in that direction, and I didn’t feel comfortable with it and I can’t wholeheartedly choose this path with what I’ve got going on snow.”
White, who for years was every bit as successful a skateboarder as a snowboarder, had been dangling the possibility of joining the rare group of athletes to compete in both Winter and Summer Games.
He has long excelled in vert contests, which most resemble a snowboard halfpipe competition, but is not part of the Olympic program. He was trying to make the switch to park, which combine halfpipes and quarterpipes with stairs and rails. White headed to Brazil last summer to compete at skateboarding world championships, where he finished 13th.
He thought about it for a while and realized the work he’d have to put in to compete against full-time skateboarders for an Olympic spot would compromise his chances of returning to the Winter Games in Beijing for a shot at a fourth gold medal.
“It doesn’t mean I’m committed to going to China, but it doesn’t feel too far-fetched for me,” said the 33-year-old White. “I still feel great and that’s where it got left for me. I’m dipping back into snow, and doing what feels right.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Nuggets agree to contract buyout with Jordan McRae

The Nuggets have agreed to a contract buyout with shooting guard Jordan McRae after just four games with the team , a league source confirmed Sunday to The Denver Post ’ s Mike Singer .
McRae , 28 , was acquired via trade from the Wizards on Feb. 6 for point guard Shabazz Napier .
It appeared McRae ’ s length ( 6-foot-5 , 179 pounds ) and production in Washington , for which he averaged 12.8 points , 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists , might be an asset on Denver ’ s bench .
Now , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the franchise ’ s long-term plans .
McRae had eight points , five rebounds and three assists in his Denver debut against the Spurs , but his role declined since .
And McRae showed visible frustration returning to the team ’ s bench when he was subbed out with 18 seconds left in a lopsided win against the Timberwolves on Feb. 23 .
It is unclear how the Nuggets will address McRae ’ s roster spot .
He is on an expiring contract worth $ 1.64 million , per Spotrac.com .
ESPN ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report the buyout .
Denver hosts the Toronto Raptors at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Pepsi Center .
This story will be updated .

The Nuggets have agreed to a contract buyout with shooting guard Jordan McRae after just four games with the team, a league source confirmed Sunday to The Denver Post’s Mike Singer.
McRae, 28, was acquired via trade from the Wizards on Feb. 6 for point guard Shabazz Napier. It appeared McRae’s length (6-foot-5, 179 pounds) and production in Washington, for which he averaged 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists, might be an asset on Denver’s bench. Now, it’s clear he was not a part of the franchise’s long-term plans.
McRae had eight points, five rebounds and three assists in his Denver debut against the Spurs, but his role declined since. And McRae showed visible frustration returning to the team’s bench when he was subbed out with 18 seconds left in a lopsided win against the Timberwolves on Feb. 23.
It is unclear how the Nuggets will address McRae’s roster spot. He is on an expiring contract worth $1.64 million, per Spotrac.com. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the buyout. Denver hosts the Toronto Raptors at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Pepsi Center.
This story will be updated.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Colorado’s new “Naked and Afraid” contestant is a wildland firefighter from Gunnison with dwarfism

Alex Manard was confident that if he auditioned , he would be cast as one of the stars of the new season of Discovery Channel ’ s “ Naked and Afraid , ” the reality-TV show that drops contestants into harsh environments and chronicles their fight to survive in the wilderness , sans clothing , for 21 days .
“ I don ’ t want to say that I knew I was going to be on it , but I had very high hopes , ” said Manard , 27 , a wildland firefighter and whitewater rafting instructor who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
“ There ’ s always a series of auditions and you ’ ve got to interview with producers to see if you ’ re a good fit .
But in the end , my dwarfism and my love of outdoors is a unique story.
” At 4 feet 11 inches tall , Manard is less than a foot shorter than the average adult man in the U.S. ( the National Center for Health Statistics pegs it at 5 feet 9 inches ) , but it ’ s been enough to invite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
• Like “ Fixer Upper , ” but for mining : This new Discovery Channel show rehabs old Colorado mines • Watch Coloradans on TV : “ Jeopardy , ” “ American Ninja Warrior Junior ” and more • A surprising view of “ America ’ s Forests ” in new Colorado-produced TV series “ Having challenges all throughout my life — being picked on , being bullied , having a lot of people tell me all the stuff I can ’ t do — motivated me , ” Manard said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champaign , Ill. , where he ’ ll watch the episode with friends , family and fans of the show when it premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday , March 1 .
“ That was one of my big things with coming on the challenge : to show people who have been told their whole lives that a disability defines them .
It doesn ’ t .
You have to chase your dreams.
” One of Manard ’ s dreams growing up in the Midwest was to move to Colorado and become an outdoorsman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he attended Gunnison ’ s Western Colorado University , where he earned his recreation and outdoor education degree , with an outdoor leadership emphasis and psychology minor ( a combo he admits makes him an ideal candidate for “ Naked and Afraid ” ) .
Since graduating in 2018 , he ’ s worked as a wildland firefighter and river guide , moving around the country where he ’ s needed .
This summer he ’ ll be at Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness ; last summer he taught rafting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Gunnison was the smallest town I ’ d ever lived in , and it took a little bit to get used to , ” Manard said .
“ But it got easier once I started making friends .
I picked up snowboarding , I started backpacking more and I got into whitewater rafting .
Now it ’ s the reason I call Colorado home.
” Manard also counts several friends who have appeared on “ Naked and Afraid.
” “ They kept bugging me to do a challenge , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduated , I sent an online application to the casting company and it all went from there.
” For many viewers , and especially Colorado residents , it ’ s more than just bee-sting and bad-tattoo schadenfreude .
Reality TV contestants from Colorado ’ s fit , high-altitude climes dominate on “ American Ninja Warrior , ” and have been finalists on shows like “ Survivor , ” “ The Amazing Race ” and other strength-and-endurance-based series .
Last year , Colorado contestants Molly Jansen and Matt Wright appeared on a particularly perilous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost choking to death while eating a warthog her companions killed in South Africa ’ s Limpopo Basin .
( Wright administered the Heimlich maneuver ; Jansen said at the time of the show ’ s premiere that producers were seconds away from stepping in . )
RELATED : “ Naked and Afraid ’ s ” newest Denver star almost died ( more than once ) .
See what happened on March 24 .
Even if Manard had an advantage in being from Colorado , we still won ’ t know if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge until his episode premieres this week .
The show dropped him into the Amazon jungle , where his skills navigating natural bodies of water would quickly come into play .
“ I ’ d never seen the Amazon but always wanted to , ” he said .
“ Coming from a small mountain town to the jungle was completely different .
I was sweating quite a bit out there.
” Fortunately ( or unfortunately ? )
, there were no clothes to soak through .
Manard echoed other Colorado contestants ’ sentiments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the life-or-death immediacy , the genuine peril — and said the difficulty level was on par with his first backcountry backpacking or whitewater rafting trips .
“ I think adaptation is one of my strengths , ” he said .
“ Being this height my whole life , I ’ ve had to adapt to things and find ways to do stuff a normal person can do easily.
” Whatever the outcome , Manard is looking forward to continuing his nomadic Western lifestyle .
He said that any notoriety he gains from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already getting a ton of interest on Facebook ” — will be used to raise money for charities .
“ I ’ m really excited about this summer ( in Colorado ) because of the high water lines , ” he said .
“ The rapids are going to be popping this year .
But I ’ m hoping that also means fewer fires .
California ’ s always burning down , but I hope Colorado is ( spared ) this season .
We do a lot of prescribed burns so controlling those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll go wherever they send me.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , In The Know , to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox .

Alex Manard was confident that if he auditioned, he would be cast as one of the stars of the new season of Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid,” the reality-TV show that drops contestants into harsh environments and chronicles their fight to survive in the wilderness, sans clothing, for 21 days.
“I don’t want to say that I knew I was going to be on it, but I had very high hopes,” said Manard, 27, a wildland firefighter and whitewater rafting instructor who has lived in Gunnison for the last five years. “There’s always a series of auditions and you’ve got to interview with producers to see if you’re a good fit. But in the end, my dwarfism and my love of outdoors is a unique story.”
At 4 feet 11 inches tall, Manard is less than a foot shorter than the average adult man in the U.S. (the National Center for Health Statistics pegs it at 5 feet 9 inches), but it’s been enough to invite lifelong jokes and general misunderstanding into his world.
“Having challenges all throughout my life — being picked on, being bullied, having a lot of people tell me all the stuff I can’t do — motivated me,” Manard said over the phone from his hometown of Champaign, Ill., where he’ll watch the episode with friends, family and fans of the show when it premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 1. ”That was one of my big things with coming on the challenge: to show people who have been told their whole lives that a disability defines them. It doesn’t. You have to chase your dreams.”
One of Manard’s dreams growing up in the Midwest was to move to Colorado and become an outdoorsman. He fulfilled that five years ago when he attended Gunnison’s Western Colorado University, where he earned his recreation and outdoor education degree, with an outdoor leadership emphasis and psychology minor (a combo he admits makes him an ideal candidate for “Naked and Afraid”).
Since graduating in 2018, he’s worked as a wildland firefighter and river guide, moving around the country where he’s needed. This summer he’ll be at Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness; last summer he taught rafting along Utah’s Green River.
“Gunnison was the smallest town I’d ever lived in, and it took a little bit to get used to,” Manard said. “But it got easier once I started making friends. I picked up snowboarding, I started backpacking more and I got into whitewater rafting. Now it’s the reason I call Colorado home.”
Manard also counts several friends who have appeared on “Naked and Afraid.”
“They kept bugging me to do a challenge,” he said. “So as soon as I graduated, I sent an online application to the casting company and it all went from there.”
For many viewers, and especially Colorado residents, it’s more than just bee-sting and bad-tattoo schadenfreude. Reality TV contestants from Colorado’s fit, high-altitude climes dominate on “American Ninja Warrior,” and have been finalists on shows like “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race” and other strength-and-endurance-based series.
Last year, Colorado contestants Molly Jansen and Matt Wright appeared on a particularly perilous episode of the show, with Jansen almost choking to death while eating a warthog her companions killed in South Africa’s Limpopo Basin. (Wright administered the Heimlich maneuver; Jansen said at the time of the show’s premiere that producers were seconds away from stepping in.)
RELATED: “Naked and Afraid’s” newest Denver star almost died (more than once). See what happened on March 24.
Even if Manard had an advantage in being from Colorado, we still won’t know if he lasted the full 21 days of his challenge until his episode premieres this week. The show dropped him into the Amazon jungle, where his skills navigating natural bodies of water would quickly come into play.
“I’d never seen the Amazon but always wanted to,” he said. “Coming from a small mountain town to the jungle was completely different. I was sweating quite a bit out there.”
Fortunately (or unfortunately?), there were no clothes to soak through. Manard echoed other Colorado contestants’ sentiments about the bracing realness of the show — the life-or-death immediacy, the genuine peril — and said the difficulty level was on par with his first backcountry backpacking or whitewater rafting trips.
“I think adaptation is one of my strengths,” he said. “Being this height my whole life, I’ve had to adapt to things and find ways to do stuff a normal person can do easily.”
Whatever the outcome, Manard is looking forward to continuing his nomadic Western lifestyle. He said that any notoriety he gains from the show — “I’m already getting a ton of interest on Facebook” — will be used to raise money for charities.
“I’m really excited about this summer (in Colorado) because of the high water lines,” he said. “The rapids are going to be popping this year. But I’m hoping that also means fewer fires. California’s always burning down, but I hope Colorado is (spared) this season. We do a lot of prescribed burns so controlling those is huge for forest health. But I’ll go wherever they send me.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.