thedenverpost--2020-09-23--U.S. experts vow “no cutting corners” as coronavirus vaccine tests expand

WASHINGTON — A huge international study of a COVID-19 vaccine that aims to work with just one dose is getting underway as top U.S. health officials sought Wednesday to assure a skeptical Congress and public that they can trust any shots the government ultimately approves .
Hopes are high that answers about at least one of several candidates being tested in the U.S. could come by year ’ s end , maybe sooner .
“ We feel cautiously optimistic that we will be able to have a safe and effective vaccine , although there is never a guarantee of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease chief at the National Institutes of Health , told a Senate committee .
President Donald Trump is pushing for a faster timeline , which many experts say is risky and may not allow for adequate testing .
On Wednesday he tweeted a link to news about the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine study and said the Food and Drug Administration “ must move quickly !
” “ President Trump is still trying to sabotage the work of our scientists and public health experts for his own political ends , ” Sen. Patty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said before ticking off examples of pressure on the FDA .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn pledged that career scientists , not politicians , will decide whether any coronavirus vaccine meets clearly stated standards that it works and is safe .
Vaccine development usually takes years but scientists have been racing to shorten that time , in part by manufacturing doses that will have to be thrown away if studies find they don ’ t work .
“ Science will guide our decisions .
FDA will not permit any pressure from anyone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I will put the interest of the American people above anything else.
” FDA has faced criticism for allowing emergency use of some COVID-19 treatments backed by little evidence , but Hahn said if vaccine makers want that faster path to market , additional standards will be coming soon .
As for the testing of vaccine candidates , Fauci added : “ There is no cutting corners.
” A handful of vaccines already are in final testing in the U.S. and other countries .
In one of the largest studies yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers to test its single-dose approach in the U.S. , South Africa , Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Mexico and Peru .
Other candidates in the U.S. require two shots .
J & J ’ s vaccine is made with slightly different technology than others in late-stage testing , modeled on an Ebola vaccine the company created .
Final-stage testing of one experimental vaccine , made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University , remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine whether it poses a safety risk .
Beyond vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own public health agencies , such as falsely tweeting about a ” deep state , or whoever at FDA ” — and in recent weeks , some political appointees were forced out after allegations they interfered with scientific advice .
Conspiracy theories are sapping the morale of disease fighters working 24/7 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Dr. Robert Redfield , its director , told the Senate committee on health , education , labor and pensions .
“ It ’ s offensive to me when I hear this type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that CDC , like the military , strives to be nonpartisan .
Yet Redfield struggled to defend against criticism that CDC bowed to political pressure with guidelines that discouraged testing of people without COVID-19 symptoms .
Asymptomatic people do spread the virus and CDC , under fire , later changed the guidelines ’ wording .
Redfield insisted it all amounted to misinterpretation and stressed Wednesday : “ More tests will actually lead to less cases.
” More than 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 so far this year , and in many states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is confirming an average of 41,968 new daily cases , up 13 % compared with the average two weeks ago .
Fauci was blunt : More lives could have been saved if everyone in the country better followed recommendations to wear masks , avoid crowds and keep 6 feet apart .
“ We know some states did a good job .
Some states did not so good a job .
Some states tried to do a good job but people didn ’ t listen , ” he said , singling out mask-less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ we need uniformity throughout the country.
” In a testy exchange , Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky insisted public health officials were wrong that a lockdown could change the course of the pandemic .
A visibly angry Fauci accused the Republican of repeatedly misconstruing his statements .
“ I don ’ t regret saying that the only way we could have really stopped the explosion of infection was by essentially — I want to say shutting down , ” he said .
Fauci dismissed Paul ’ s contention that hard-hit New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were infected : “ If you believe 22 % is herd immunity , I believe you ’ re alone in that.
” Fauci also called attention to so-called “ long-haulers , ” COVID-19 survivors who continue to struggle with a range of symptoms such as pain , fatigue , even heart damage .
He warned much remains unknown about the long-term effects of the virus .
Democrats warned those survivors are at risk of being denied insurance if the Trump administration succeeds in overturning an Obama-era health law that forbids companies from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or charging them more .
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg means there are no longer five justices on the Supreme Court who have upheld the Affordable Care Act .
“ We will see rates skyrocket for anybody who has had COVID , ” predicted Sen. Chris Murphy , D-Conn. A vaccine “ will go a giant step ” in controlling infection , but Fauci warned people still will need to take those precautions for a while after the first vaccine arrives because it won ’ t change conditions overnight .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine to be 100 % effective .
There won ’ t be enough at first for everyone , and even once there is , it will take months to get the shots into the arms of every American who wants one — an effort CDC ’ s Redfield sees stretching into June or July .
Because of the enormous logistical challenges , CDC wants states to get ready now and on Wednesday , announced they would get $ 200 million to help begin setting up those operations .
FDA has faced criticism for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by little evidence .
Vaccines , unlike therapies , are given to healthy people and thus usually require more proof .
FDA already has told manufacturers it expects any COVID-19 vaccine to be at least 50 % effective , and Hahn said additional standards are coming soon for any that decide to seek the faster emergency-use authorization .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Subscribe to bi-weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your inbox .

Lauran Neergaard, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

WASHINGTON — A huge international study of a COVID-19 vaccine that aims to work with just one dose is getting underway as top U.S. health officials sought Wednesday to assure a skeptical Congress and public that they can trust any shots the government ultimately approves.
Hopes are high that answers about at least one of several candidates being tested in the U.S. could come by year’s end, maybe sooner.
“We feel cautiously optimistic that we will be able to have a safe and effective vaccine, although there is never a guarantee of that,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the National Institutes of Health, told a Senate committee.
President Donald Trump is pushing for a faster timeline, which many experts say is risky and may not allow for adequate testing. On Wednesday he tweeted a link to news about the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine study and said the Food and Drug Administration “must move quickly!”
“President Trump is still trying to sabotage the work of our scientists and public health experts for his own political ends,” Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington state, said before ticking off examples of pressure on the FDA.
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn pledged that career scientists, not politicians, will decide whether any coronavirus vaccine meets clearly stated standards that it works and is safe. Vaccine development usually takes years but scientists have been racing to shorten that time, in part by manufacturing doses that will have to be thrown away if studies find they don’t work.
“Science will guide our decisions. FDA will not permit any pressure from anyone to change that,” Hahn said. “I will put the interest of the American people above anything else.”
FDA has faced criticism for allowing emergency use of some COVID-19 treatments backed by little evidence, but Hahn said if vaccine makers want that faster path to market, additional standards will be coming soon.
As for the testing of vaccine candidates, Fauci added: “There is no cutting corners.”
A handful of vaccines already are in final testing in the U.S. and other countries. In one of the largest studies yet, Johnson & Johnson aims to enroll 60,000 volunteers to test its single-dose approach in the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Other candidates in the U.S. require two shots.
J&J’s vaccine is made with slightly different technology than others in late-stage testing, modeled on an Ebola vaccine the company created.
Final-stage testing of one experimental vaccine, made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine whether it poses a safety risk.
Beyond vaccines, Trump regularly undercuts confidence in his own public health agencies, such as falsely tweeting about a ”deep state, or whoever at FDA” — and in recent weeks, some political appointees were forced out after allegations they interfered with scientific advice.
Conspiracy theories are sapping the morale of disease fighters working 24/7 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, its director, told the Senate committee on health, education, labor and pensions.
“It’s offensive to me when I hear this type of comment,” said Redfield, noting that CDC, like the military, strives to be nonpartisan.
Yet Redfield struggled to defend against criticism that CDC bowed to political pressure with guidelines that discouraged testing of people without COVID-19 symptoms. Asymptomatic people do spread the virus and CDC, under fire, later changed the guidelines’ wording. Redfield insisted it all amounted to misinterpretation and stressed Wednesday: “More tests will actually lead to less cases.”
More than 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 so far this year, and in many states, infections still are climbing. The U.S. is confirming an average of 41,968 new daily cases, up 13% compared with the average two weeks ago.
Fauci was blunt: More lives could have been saved if everyone in the country better followed recommendations to wear masks, avoid crowds and keep 6 feet apart.
“We know some states did a good job. Some states did not so good a job. Some states tried to do a good job but people didn’t listen,” he said, singling out mask-less crowds in bars. Going forward, “we need uniformity throughout the country.”
In a testy exchange, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky insisted public health officials were wrong that a lockdown could change the course of the pandemic. A visibly angry Fauci accused the Republican of repeatedly misconstruing his statements.
“I don’t regret saying that the only way we could have really stopped the explosion of infection was by essentially — I want to say shutting down,” he said.
Fauci dismissed Paul’s contention that hard-hit New York has become largely immune because so many people were infected: “If you believe 22% is herd immunity, I believe you’re alone in that.”
Fauci also called attention to so-called “long-haulers,” COVID-19 survivors who continue to struggle with a range of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, even heart damage. He warned much remains unknown about the long-term effects of the virus.
Democrats warned those survivors are at risk of being denied insurance if the Trump administration succeeds in overturning an Obama-era health law that forbids companies from turning down people with pre-existing health problems or charging them more. The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg means there are no longer five justices on the Supreme Court who have upheld the Affordable Care Act.
“We will see rates skyrocket for anybody who has had COVID,” predicted Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
A vaccine “will go a giant step” in controlling infection, but Fauci warned people still will need to take those precautions for a while after the first vaccine arrives because it won’t change conditions overnight.
Why? It’s unusual for a vaccine to be 100% effective. There won’t be enough at first for everyone, and even once there is, it will take months to get the shots into the arms of every American who wants one — an effort CDC’s Redfield sees stretching into June or July.
Because of the enormous logistical challenges, CDC wants states to get ready now and on Wednesday, announced they would get $200 million to help begin setting up those operations.
FDA has faced criticism for allowing emergency use of some COVID-19 treatments backed by little evidence. Vaccines, unlike therapies, are given to healthy people and thus usually require more proof.
FDA already has told manufacturers it expects any COVID-19 vaccine to be at least 50% effective, and Hahn said additional standards are coming soon for any that decide to seek the faster emergency-use authorization.
Neergaard reported from Alexandria, Virginia. AP Writer Linda Johnson contributed from Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Denver teen holding Joe Biden sign says driver threatened him with gun

A teen waving a sign supporting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says a driver harassed him for his political views @ @ @ @ @ pointed a gun at him and a group of people .
The teen , who @ @ @ @ @ said he stood on the corner of York Street and Seventh Avenue on Tuesday around @ @ @ @ @ homemade sign reading , “ I ’ m ridin ’ with Biden.
” The teen @ @ @ @ @ , a driver in a black Porsche confronted him .
“ Telling me that because @ @ @ @ @ person , my voice doesn ’ t matter and that I shouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know anything , ” the teenager recalled .
Read more about this story @ @ @ @ @

A teen waving a sign supporting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says a driver harassed him for his political views and later came back and pointed a gun at him and a group of people.
The teen, who asked to remain anonymous, said he stood on the corner of York Street and Seventh Avenue on Tuesday around 11 a.m., waving a homemade sign reading, “I’m ridin’ with Biden.”
The teen said while showing his support, a driver in a black Porsche confronted him.
“Telling me that because I’m a young person, my voice doesn’t matter and that I shouldn’t be out here because I don’t know anything,” the teenager recalled.
Read more about this story at The Denver Channel.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--How families are keeping Halloween from turning into a COVID-19 nightmare

DENVER — For Laura Stoutingburg and her family , Halloween has always been a monthlong celebration of corn mazes , pumpkin patches and , of course , trick-or-treating in their suburban Denver neighborhood .
However , the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the mother of two to change their plans .
“ Traditional trick-or-treating house to house does not feel like a smart choice to me this year , ” Stoutingburg said .
Families across the nation are haunted by the same dilemma : How can they safely keep the pandemic from overshadowing Halloween ?
Can families trick-or-treat and go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for lower-risk activities at home ?
Health experts say families should err on the side of caution when it comes to trick-or-treating and other traditional fall activities .
Much depends on each family ’ s comfort with taking risks and ensuring they adhere to safety standards and common sense , they said .
Masks should be worn by all , even if not part of a costume .
“ My kids love going to the farm … to go pumpkin-picking , apple-picking and all those things we do in the fall , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pediatrics and an associate epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore .
But , he added , “ if you show up at the pumpkin patch and it ’ s packed with people , that ’ s not the right time for you to be there.
” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released Halloween guidelines that warn against high-risk activities like traditional trick-or-treating , haunted houses and costume parties , as well as hay and tractor rides , among other things .
The federal agency is also clear on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hand-washing to continue .
Many parents are coming up with creative alternatives for Halloween night .
For Stoutingburg , 30 , that means hosting a small sleepover with relatives that features pumpkin-carving , cupcake-decorating and a scavenger hunt .
Jody Allard and her family also will forgo their usual tricks and treats .
Allard , 42 , lives in Seattle and has a rare genetic disease putting her at higher risk for COVID-19 .
The mother of seven said her family will make new traditions this year .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun foods from the Halloween shows they like to watch on the Food Network , and we ’ re going to watch kid-friendly Halloween movies , ” Allard said .
In Lancaster , Pennsylvania , 44-year-old writer Jamie Beth Cohen ’ s daughter came up with the idea that she and her brother dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat inside their own home , with their parents behind the doors of various rooms , waiting with candy .
“ She ’ s excited to wear a costume without a jacket and get lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cohen said .
Maya Brown-Zimmerman and her family of six never miss out on trick-or-treating in Cleveland .
But they will this year , with Brown-Zimmerman , 35 , at higher risk for COVID-19 because of multiple lung diseases .
Instead , her family will use their costume money on new Halloween decor , and her four kids , ages 3 to 11 , will search for candy at home .
“ I ’ ll hide eggs of candy in the front yard for my little kids , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the older kids will have a hunt for eggs in the dark in our backyard with flashlights.
” For families still hoping to trick-or-treat this year , though , what can be done to stay as safe as possible ?
The Harvard Global Health Institute created a website to help parents assess their risk level for Halloween activities with a color-coded map of county COVID data .
It shows which counties are “ lower-risk ” zones for COVID ( green and yellow ) , where parents might feel more comfortable allowing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher-risk areas ( orange and red ) , where online parties and very small gatherings are recommended instead .
Milstone said families should think less in terms of green versus red zones and more in terms of staying safe no matter what , especially considering asymptomatic carriers .
“ Rather than people getting a false sense of security that ‘ My area is a low-risk area , so I ’ m just gon na go and do whatever , ’ I would say ideally everyone practices the same safe things , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pediatrician with UCHealth in Longmont , Colorado , said masks must be worn by all and has a simple suggestion for the reluctant : “ Decorate those masks and incorporate them into the costumes.
” People who hand out candy also should wear masks , added Dr. Alok Patel , a pediatrician and co-host of the “ Nova ” and PBS Digital Studios show “ Parentalogic.
” If trick-or-treaters see candy-givers without masks , he suggested wishing them a “ Happy Halloween ” and passing them by for the next home .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask , consider the added risk of potential respiratory droplets flying around , including in the candy bowl , ” said Patel .
When it comes to handing out candy , it ’ s a good idea to maintain as much distance as possible .
“ Think outside of the box with ideas like a reverse trick-or-treating , where kids stay home and dress up and neighbors do a parade and throw candy , ” said Isaacson .
She also recommended creating individual goody bags in place of bowls of treats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make candy chutes or a giant spider web with candy trapped in it .
In some ways , the physically distanced candy-delivery ideas sound more fun , ” said Patel .
As for the candy itself , Milstone isn ’ t as concerned about wrappers as about hand-washing .
The primary message is , “ Don ’ t let your kid eat candy with dirty hands , ” he said .
ThaInsert Widgett means no eating candy until they ’ re able to get home to wash properly .
While you could technically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Los Angeles physician and mother of three , “ the safest solution is to buy your own candy and give your children that as a treat.
” As for teens , who may want more independence , Dr. Sam Dominguez , a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and medical director of the microbiology lab at Children ’ s Hospital Colorado , recommended that small groups of friends get together outside and carve pumpkins or watch a projected movie — while wearing masks , of course .
Nasseri advised something similar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candy should be avoided .
In Boone County , Missouri , currently experiencing a rapid uptick in COVID-19 cases , Karina Koji said her family will stay home on Halloween night .
They plan to dress up in costumes and face masks and give out bags of individually wrapped candies .
They ’ ll also leave candy bags in the driveway for anyone who doesn ’ t feel comfortable coming up to the door .
“ We shouldn ’ t let the pandemic take Halloween from us , ” said Koji , 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give up so much .
It ’ s entirely possible to celebrate this fun holiday while staying healthy and keeping ourselves and others safe.
” Kaiser Health News ( KHN ) is a national health policy news service .
It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

DENVER — For Laura Stoutingburg and her family, Halloween has always been a monthlong celebration of corn mazes, pumpkin patches and, of course, trick-or-treating in their suburban Denver neighborhood.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the mother of two to change their plans.
“Traditional trick-or-treating house to house does not feel like a smart choice to me this year,” Stoutingburg said.
Families across the nation are haunted by the same dilemma: How can they safely keep the pandemic from overshadowing Halloween? Can families trick-or-treat and go to haunted houses, or should they opt for lower-risk activities at home?
Health experts say families should err on the side of caution when it comes to trick-or-treating and other traditional fall activities. Much depends on each family’s comfort with taking risks and ensuring they adhere to safety standards and common sense, they said. Masks should be worn by all, even if not part of a costume.
“My kids love going to the farm … to go pumpkin-picking, apple-picking and all those things we do in the fall,” said Dr. Aaron Milstone, a professor of pediatrics and an associate epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. But, he added, “if you show up at the pumpkin patch and it’s packed with people, that’s not the right time for you to be there.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released Halloween guidelines that warn against high-risk activities like traditional trick-or-treating, haunted houses and costume parties, as well as hay and tractor rides, among other things. The federal agency is also clear on the need for social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing to continue.
Many parents are coming up with creative alternatives for Halloween night. For Stoutingburg, 30, that means hosting a small sleepover with relatives that features pumpkin-carving, cupcake-decorating and a scavenger hunt.
Jody Allard and her family also will forgo their usual tricks and treats. Allard, 42, lives in Seattle and has a rare genetic disease putting her at higher risk for COVID-19. The mother of seven said her family will make new traditions this year.
“We’re going to make a bunch of different fun foods from the Halloween shows they like to watch on the Food Network, and we’re going to watch kid-friendly Halloween movies,” Allard said.
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 44-year-old writer Jamie Beth Cohen’s daughter came up with the idea that she and her brother dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat inside their own home, with their parents behind the doors of various rooms, waiting with candy.
“She’s excited to wear a costume without a jacket and get lots of the kind of candy she likes,” Cohen said.
Maya Brown-Zimmerman and her family of six never miss out on trick-or-treating in Cleveland. But they will this year, with Brown-Zimmerman, 35, at higher risk for COVID-19 because of multiple lung diseases. Instead, her family will use their costume money on new Halloween decor, and her four kids, ages 3 to 11, will search for candy at home.
“I’ll hide eggs of candy in the front yard for my little kids,” she said. “After they go to bed, the older kids will have a hunt for eggs in the dark in our backyard with flashlights.”
For families still hoping to trick-or-treat this year, though, what can be done to stay as safe as possible?
The Harvard Global Health Institute created a website to help parents assess their risk level for Halloween activities with a color-coded map of county COVID data. It shows which counties are “lower-risk” zones for COVID (green and yellow), where parents might feel more comfortable allowing their children to trick-or-treat, and which are higher-risk areas (orange and red), where online parties and very small gatherings are recommended instead.
Milstone said families should think less in terms of green versus red zones and more in terms of staying safe no matter what, especially considering asymptomatic carriers.
“Rather than people getting a false sense of security that ‘My area is a low-risk area, so I’m just gonna go and do whatever,’ I would say ideally everyone practices the same safe things,” he said.
Dr. Heather Isaacson, a pediatrician with UCHealth in Longmont, Colorado, said masks must be worn by all and has a simple suggestion for the reluctant: “Decorate those masks and incorporate them into the costumes.”
People who hand out candy also should wear masks, added Dr. Alok Patel, a pediatrician and co-host of the “Nova” and PBS Digital Studios show “Parentalogic.” If trick-or-treaters see candy-givers without masks, he suggested wishing them a “Happy Halloween” and passing them by for the next home.
“If people are outside serving candy without a mask, consider the added risk of potential respiratory droplets flying around, including in the candy bowl,” said Patel.
When it comes to handing out candy, it’s a good idea to maintain as much distance as possible.
“Think outside of the box with ideas like a reverse trick-or-treating, where kids stay home and dress up and neighbors do a parade and throw candy,” said Isaacson. She also recommended creating individual goody bags in place of bowls of treats.
“You could go all out and make candy chutes or a giant spider web with candy trapped in it. In some ways, the physically distanced candy-delivery ideas sound more fun,” said Patel.
As for the candy itself, Milstone isn’t as concerned about wrappers as about hand-washing. The primary message is, “Don’t let your kid eat candy with dirty hands,” he said. ThaInsert Widgett means no eating candy until they’re able to get home to wash properly.
While you could technically sanitize wrappers, said Dr. Rita Nasseri, a Los Angeles physician and mother of three, “the safest solution is to buy your own candy and give your children that as a treat.”
As for teens, who may want more independence, Dr. Sam Dominguez, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and medical director of the microbiology lab at Children’s Hospital Colorado, recommended that small groups of friends get together outside and carve pumpkins or watch a projected movie — while wearing masks, of course.
Nasseri advised something similar, adding that food served buffet-style and communal candy should be avoided.
In Boone County, Missouri, currently experiencing a rapid uptick in COVID-19 cases, Karina Koji said her family will stay home on Halloween night. They plan to dress up in costumes and face masks and give out bags of individually wrapped candies. They’ll also leave candy bags in the driveway for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable coming up to the door.
“We shouldn’t let the pandemic take Halloween from us,” said Koji, 45. “We’ve all had to give up so much. It’s entirely possible to celebrate this fun holiday while staying healthy and keeping ourselves and others safe.”
Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Semiconductor industry pushing federal government for more incentives

The federal government needs to provide more direct incentives to encourage the construction of semiconductor plants on U.S. soil or risk falling further behind other countries , a study from the Semiconductor Industry Association and Boston Consulting Group urges .
“ We have learned that we can ’ t entirely rely on supply chains outside our border for critical goods .
Semiconductors are absolutely critical and we need more onshore alternatives , ” said Jimmy Goodrich , vice president of global policy at the SIA .
The domestic semiconductor industry employs 180,000 workers , with fabrication plants or fabs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broadcom Ltd. runs a fab in Fort Collins and Microchip Technology took over an Atmel plant in Colorado Springs .
But chipmakers once had a much more robust presence in the state , including now-shuttered plants owned by Intel and Sanmina .
U. S. chipmakers remain a leader in research and development and account for nearly half of worldwide chip sales .
But only 12 % of those sales come from plants based in the U.S. , down from a 37 % share in 1990 , according to the report .
A key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that it costs about 30 % more to build and operate a chip plant over 10 years in the U.S. than it does in Taiwan , South Korea and Singapore .
Compared to China , which is rapidly gaining market share , a U.S. plant can cost 37 % to 50 % more .
Some of the higher costs are linked to land values , prevailing wages and regulations .
But about 40 % to 70 % of the difference is because of lower government incentives than other countries are providing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generous in its support of new fabs , the study found .
Assuming the status quo , the study estimates the U.S. share of global chip manufacturing would fall to 6 % by 2030 .
Providing $ 20 billion in support would add 14 plants and lift the nation ’ s market share to 14 % , while a $ 50 billion program would add 19 plants and boost it to 24 % , second to China .
The additional support would add 70,000 direct jobs , improve supply chain resiliency , shore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s edge in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence , quantum computing and 5G , the SIA argues .
Goodrich said Colorado , given its history , could land some of that new capacity , providing a boost to its economy .
A separate report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation argues that nations shouldn ’ t focus on building self-contained ecosystems for chips but continue to foster a cooperative model that has allowed for a surge in innovation and lowered costs .
“ Each segment of the global semiconductor value chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 countries involved directly , and enterprises from 23 countries in support functions , ” the report said .
Like the SIA , the ITIF argues the United States should increase incentives for more domestic production , as well as provide funding for collaborative , pre-competitive research and development .

The federal government needs to provide more direct incentives to encourage the construction of semiconductor plants on U.S. soil or risk falling further behind other countries, a study from the Semiconductor Industry Association and Boston Consulting Group urges.
“We have learned that we can’t entirely rely on supply chains outside our border for critical goods. Semiconductors are absolutely critical and we need more onshore alternatives,” said Jimmy Goodrich, vice president of global policy at the SIA.
The domestic semiconductor industry employs 180,000 workers, with fabrication plants or fabs in 18 U.S. states. In Colorado, Broadcom Ltd. runs a fab in Fort Collins and Microchip Technology took over an Atmel plant in Colorado Springs. But chipmakers once had a much more robust presence in the state, including now-shuttered plants owned by Intel and Sanmina.
U. S. chipmakers remain a leader in research and development and account for nearly half of worldwide chip sales. But only 12% of those sales come from plants based in the U.S., down from a 37% share in 1990, according to the report.
A key reason manufacturing has moved to other counties is that it costs about 30% more to build and operate a chip plant over 10 years in the U.S. than it does in Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore. Compared to China, which is rapidly gaining market share, a U.S. plant can cost 37% to 50% more.
Some of the higher costs are linked to land values, prevailing wages and regulations. But about 40% to 70% of the difference is because of lower government incentives than other countries are providing, which China, in particular, is generous in its support of new fabs, the study found.
Assuming the status quo, the study estimates the U.S. share of global chip manufacturing would fall to 6% by 2030. Providing $20 billion in support would add 14 plants and lift the nation’s market share to 14%, while a $50 billion program would add 19 plants and boost it to 24%, second to China.
The additional support would add 70,000 direct jobs, improve supply chain resiliency, shore up national security and keep the nation’s edge in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G, the SIA argues.
Goodrich said Colorado, given its history, could land some of that new capacity, providing a boost to its economy.
A separate report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation argues that nations shouldn’t focus on building self-contained ecosystems for chips but continue to foster a cooperative model that has allowed for a surge in innovation and lowered costs.
“Each segment of the global semiconductor value chain has, on average, enterprises from 25 countries involved directly, and enterprises from 23 countries in support functions,” the report said.
Like the SIA, the ITIF argues the United States should increase incentives for more domestic production, as well as provide funding for collaborative, pre-competitive research and development.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Oil, gas company Crestone Peak Resources may one day use electric trucks in the field

The irony of an oil and gas company looking at adding electric trucks to its fleet isn ’ t lost on Jason Oates .
But for Crestone Peak Resources , a big part of the appeal is the economics , said Oates , the company ’ s director of external affairs .
Another big consideration is the fact that the northern Front Range , where the company operates , exceeds federal standards for ground-level ozone .
The state continues to try to reduce emissions from oil and gas production and transportation , major sources of the pollution .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crestone , in the current economic environment that we ’ re in , is always looking at ways to cut our costs , ” Oates said Tuesday .
“ And then you look at the other benefits that come with it , as far as supporting the governor ’ s push for electric vehicles.
” Gov .
Jared Polis has set a goal of getting nearly a million electric vehicles on Colorado roads by 2030 in efforts to reduce pollution and tackle the effects of climate change by cutting greenhouse-gas emissions .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to get a close-up look at a prototype of what could be the first all-electric commercial pickup , it took it .
Last week , Crestone employees met with representatives of Lordstown Motors Corp. , who took the prototype of the Endurance on the road to give companies with big vehicle fleets an opportunity to check it out .
“ We started on the West Coast and on the way back to the factory in Ohio , we made stops at some fleets that we had contacted that had shown interest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of the motor company .
Burns said it was the first time people got to see and drive the prototype .
The company , which is retooling a former General Motors assembly plant in Lordstown , Ohio , plans to start production of the full-size pickup by September 2021 .
“ We think we ’ ll be the first electric pickup by at least a year , maybe two , ” Burns said .
Lordstown Motors promotes its electric truck in part by comparing it to the Ford F-150 , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Endurance owners would save money on fuel and maintenance costs .
Over a truck ’ s typical life span of five years at about 20,000 miles a year , he said the savings for the owner of an Endurance would be roughly the equivalent of $ 20,000 off the sticker price of a comparably equipped Ford truck .
The initial price of an Endurance is listed as $ 52,500 on the Lordstown Motors website , which includes a calculator comparing its costs to a Ford F-150 .
Also factored in is a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oates said Crestone employees liked what they saw in the Endurance .
He said besides producing no emissions , electric trucks could be handy in the field .
Because there ’ s no engine in front , the space could be used for storage .
In addition , power tools , lights and other devices could be powered by electricity from the truck .
“ It ’ s a very impressive vehicle from all the different technical specs , ” Oates said .
“ And it looks like a working-class vehicle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of a sci-fi movie .
”

The irony of an oil and gas company looking at adding electric trucks to its fleet isn’t lost on Jason Oates.
But for Crestone Peak Resources, a big part of the appeal is the economics, said Oates, the company’s director of external affairs.
Another big consideration is the fact that the northern Front Range, where the company operates, exceeds federal standards for ground-level ozone. The state continues to try to reduce emissions from oil and gas production and transportation, major sources of the pollution.
“We have a fairly sizable fleet, and Crestone, in the current economic environment that we’re in, is always looking at ways to cut our costs,” Oates said Tuesday. “And then you look at the other benefits that come with it, as far as supporting the governor’s push for electric vehicles.”
Gov. Jared Polis has set a goal of getting nearly a million electric vehicles on Colorado roads by 2030 in efforts to reduce pollution and tackle the effects of climate change by cutting greenhouse-gas emissions.
So, when the Denver-based company had a chance to get a close-up look at a prototype of what could be the first all-electric commercial pickup, it took it. Last week, Crestone employees met with representatives of Lordstown Motors Corp., who took the prototype of the Endurance on the road to give companies with big vehicle fleets an opportunity to check it out.
“We started on the West Coast and on the way back to the factory in Ohio, we made stops at some fleets that we had contacted that had shown interest,” said Steve Burns, CEO and founder of the motor company.
Burns said it was the first time people got to see and drive the prototype. The company, which is retooling a former General Motors assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, plans to start production of the full-size pickup by September 2021.
“We think we’ll be the first electric pickup by at least a year, maybe two,” Burns said.
Lordstown Motors promotes its electric truck in part by comparing it to the Ford F-150, one of the best-selling vehicles nationwide. Burns said Endurance owners would save money on fuel and maintenance costs. Over a truck’s typical life span of five years at about 20,000 miles a year, he said the savings for the owner of an Endurance would be roughly the equivalent of $20,000 off the sticker price of a comparably equipped Ford truck.
The initial price of an Endurance is listed as $52,500 on the Lordstown Motors website, which includes a calculator comparing its costs to a Ford F-150. Also factored in is a $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
Oates said Crestone employees liked what they saw in the Endurance. He said besides producing no emissions, electric trucks could be handy in the field. Because there’s no engine in front, the space could be used for storage.
In addition, power tools, lights and other devices could be powered by electricity from the truck.
“It’s a very impressive vehicle from all the different technical specs,” Oates said. “And it looks like a working-class vehicle. It doesn’t look like something out of a sci-fi movie.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Colorado does not know how many police officers aren’t abiding by certification and training rules

The Colorado agency overseeing law enforcement certification has no idea how many officers are working in the state without being certified or are lying about compliance with training and testing rules .
The agency , the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board , is working on new enforcement tools made possible by a police reform bill passed this summer , which the state ’ s attorney general hopes will deter officers and agencies from breaking the laws mandating certification and training requirements .
It was difficult to enforce those requirements prior to the new law , Colorado Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of recent cases where officers did not follow regulations has sparked fears that there could be more such violations out there .
“ The problem we have right now is we don ’ t know ” how many officers and agencies are not complying with certification rules , said Weiser , whose office oversees the POST Board .
“ We have anecdotal incidents that have come to our awareness… but it ’ s possible others are doing things that haven ’ t come to our attention.
” The POST Board certifies police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after graduating from an academy .
The board also mandates that all officers receive 24 hours of in-service training a year and decides when to revoke an officer ’ s certification for lying or some criminal convictions .
Problems with certification arise when an officer lies about their background on an application , when officers are working without state certification or when agencies are lying about officers completing required training , Weiser said .
“ We ’ ve had a number of situations come up where we have found people who have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working without certification , ” POST director Erik Bourgerie said during an agency meeting last week .
One such incident began when a Huerfano County sheriff ’ s deputy reached out to POST in January after he noticed he received credit for training he had not received .
The board started an investigation and found the agency had given credit to at least two deputies for training they didn ’ t attend but were required by law to complete , according to documents from POST .
Prior to the passage of a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general ’ s office only had two options to enforce laws around peace officer certification .
The office could refer the case to a district attorney ’ s office for possible prosecution or withhold grant money from an entire agency as punishment , Weiser said .
So that ’ s what the board did in the Huerfano County case : It referred the case to the Denver District Attorney ’ s Office for further investigation and blocked the sheriff ’ s office from receiving any training grants for the last six months of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press charges , Bourgerie said .
Under the new law , Weiser ’ s office has the power to prosecute such cases itself and it can levy fines against individuals or agencies that aren ’ t complying with the law .
The office also can revoke an officer ’ s certification if he or she does not complete required training within 30 days .
The POST Board now must create new rules around the enforcement of the new law .
Another incident where such tools might be needed involved the hiring of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office .
Peter Haynes worked as a police officer for more than 20 years before leaving the profession in 2010 .
The Summit County Sheriff ’ s Office hired Haynes in January to oversee patrol , investigations and rescues as the operations division commander , one of the highest ranking positions at the agency .
But when Haynes was sworn in on Jan. 13 he was not an accredited peace officer under Colorado law because his certification had lapsed , according to correspondence between the sheriff ’ s office and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did he become a certified officer until June 15 , despite the fact that the attorney general ’ s office determined the position Haynes held required POST certification .
Haynes contacted the POST board in December to ask about testing to be re-certified , but declined to attend the next testing period scheduled for Jan. 21 and started work anyway .
The next several options for the test were canceled due to COVID-19 and Haynes became certified as quickly as possible , Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said .
As part of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , which reached out to the sheriff after learning of the situation , Haynes served purely in an administrative capacity during that six-month period while he worked toward certification , FitzSimons said .
He did not have the authority to investigate crimes , make arrests or direct other officers in their investigations , the sheriff said .
Haynes did not wear a badge and a gun when he was not certified , except for one time when he donned both to pose for a photo for the Summit Daily newspaper .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his January swearing in , according to a photo posted on his LinkedIn account .
Haynes was promoted to undersheriff this month after he gained certification .
Haynes ’ case was discussed during a meeting last week of the POST Board , where several of the state ’ s top law enforcement officials said the problem around certification were concerning .
“ I think these are all very serious , given the light where we ’ re at today , ” said Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock , who is also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado .
Weiser hopes the new enforcement tools will deter officers from ignoring the rules and inspire more public trust in law enforcement .
“ We want to help support and develop the most trustworthy and effective law enforcement officers in Colorado , ” he said .

The Colorado agency overseeing law enforcement certification has no idea how many officers are working in the state without being certified or are lying about compliance with training and testing rules.
The agency, the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, is working on new enforcement tools made possible by a police reform bill passed this summer, which the state’s attorney general hopes will deter officers and agencies from breaking the laws mandating certification and training requirements.
It was difficult to enforce those requirements prior to the new law, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said, and a series of recent cases where officers did not follow regulations has sparked fears that there could be more such violations out there.
“The problem we have right now is we don’t know” how many officers and agencies are not complying with certification rules, said Weiser, whose office oversees the POST Board. “We have anecdotal incidents that have come to our awareness… but it’s possible others are doing things that haven’t come to our attention.”
The POST Board certifies police officers if they pass written and skills tests after graduating from an academy. The board also mandates that all officers receive 24 hours of in-service training a year and decides when to revoke an officer’s certification for lying or some criminal convictions.
Problems with certification arise when an officer lies about their background on an application, when officers are working without state certification or when agencies are lying about officers completing required training, Weiser said.
“We’ve had a number of situations come up where we have found people who have not been appointed to an agency or were working without certification,” POST director Erik Bourgerie said during an agency meeting last week.
One such incident began when a Huerfano County sheriff’s deputy reached out to POST in January after he noticed he received credit for training he had not received. The board started an investigation and found the agency had given credit to at least two deputies for training they didn’t attend but were required by law to complete, according to documents from POST.
Prior to the passage of a police reform law in July, the attorney general’s office only had two options to enforce laws around peace officer certification. The office could refer the case to a district attorney’s office for possible prosecution or withhold grant money from an entire agency as punishment, Weiser said.
So that’s what the board did in the Huerfano County case: It referred the case to the Denver District Attorney’s Office for further investigation and blocked the sheriff’s office from receiving any training grants for the last six months of 2020. The Denver DA declined to press charges, Bourgerie said.
Under the new law, Weiser’s office has the power to prosecute such cases itself and it can levy fines against individuals or agencies that aren’t complying with the law. The office also can revoke an officer’s certification if he or she does not complete required training within 30 days. The POST Board now must create new rules around the enforcement of the new law.
Another incident where such tools might be needed involved the hiring of an operations commander by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. Peter Haynes worked as a police officer for more than 20 years before leaving the profession in 2010. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office hired Haynes in January to oversee patrol, investigations and rescues as the operations division commander, one of the highest ranking positions at the agency.
But when Haynes was sworn in on Jan. 13 he was not an accredited peace officer under Colorado law because his certification had lapsed, according to correspondence between the sheriff’s office and the attorney general’s office. Nor did he become a certified officer until June 15, despite the fact that the attorney general’s office determined the position Haynes held required POST certification.
Haynes contacted the POST board in December to ask about testing to be re-certified, but declined to attend the next testing period scheduled for Jan. 21 and started work anyway. The next several options for the test were canceled due to COVID-19 and Haynes became certified as quickly as possible, Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said.
As part of an agreement with the attorney general’s office, which reached out to the sheriff after learning of the situation, Haynes served purely in an administrative capacity during that six-month period while he worked toward certification, FitzSimons said. He did not have the authority to investigate crimes, make arrests or direct other officers in their investigations, the sheriff said.
Haynes did not wear a badge and a gun when he was not certified, except for one time when he donned both to pose for a photo for the Summit Daily newspaper. He also wore a badge and a gun during his January swearing in, according to a photo posted on his LinkedIn account. Haynes was promoted to undersheriff this month after he gained certification.
Haynes’ case was discussed during a meeting last week of the POST Board, where several of the state’s top law enforcement officials said the problem around certification were concerning.
“I think these are all very serious, given the light where we’re at today,” said Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock, who is also the past president of the County Sheriffs of Colorado.
Weiser hopes the new enforcement tools will deter officers from ignoring the rules and inspire more public trust in law enforcement.
“We want to help support and develop the most trustworthy and effective law enforcement officers in Colorado,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Newman: Jump-starting Broncos’ passing game centers around more targets for tight end Noah Fant

With Drew Lock sidelined with a shoulder injury and top wideout Courtland Sutton out for the season with a torn ACL , the onus to jump-start the Broncos ’ passing attack falls on tight end Noah Fant .
Through his first 18 career games , Denver ’ s first-round draft pick from 2019 has proven his big-play capability .
He went through rookie growing pains last year ( i.e .
three drops against Kansas City at home ) and quickly learned from them .
And now , two games into 2020 , Fant ’ s play is backing up his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same elite category as All-Pro tight ends Travis Kelce and George Kittle .
But for Fant to take on that offensive onus offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and the Broncos backup quarterbacks ( Jeff Driskel this week , perhaps Blake Bortles in coming weeks ) must keep Fant more consistently involved .
Case-in-point : Fant ’ s production has been explosive in two of the four halves the Broncos have played so far , and non-existent in the other two .
In Week 1 against Tennessee , the former Iowa star went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tying a career-high , for 81 yards and a touchdown in the first half .
The second half ?
As the Broncos ’ offense sputtered with four punts in six possessions , Fant was silent with zero catches on one target that came with 17 seconds left .
“ We tried to take advantage of some other matchups , which was a good idea , ” Fant said after the loss .
“ I ’ m sure we ’ ll get it figured out and keep pressing forward from there.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real talk is this : In that game , without Sutton out due to a shoulder injury , the Broncos needed to be more aggressive with play-calls geared toward their young , explosive tight end .
It was the same story in Week 2 when Fant had no targets in the first half but then made his mark in the second half with four catches on five targets for 57 yards and a touchdown plus a two-point conversion , all off the hand of Driskel .
Driskel , it seems , understands who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noah is an unbelievable athlete who ’ s a big target out there , he ’ s dynamic with the ball in his hands , and he can make the contested catches , ” Driskel said .
“ He ’ s done it all for us thus far this year , and we ’ re kind of expecting him to build on that and keep making plays for this offense.
” Coach Vic Fangio said the Broncos are “ very comfortable throwing it to him a lot if that ’ s the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fant ’ s way until the defense proves it can stop him or until the defense ’ s attention towards the tight end opens up room for the team ’ s speedy rookie wideouts .
Fant ranks fifth among NFL tight ends in receiving yards with 138 total , but his 15.3 yards per catch average is higher than the other four tight ends on that list .
Per Pro Football Focus , he ’ s also the only player with a perfect 158.3 passer rating on 10 or more targets this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open up plays for us , ” rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy pointed out .
“ They ’ re going to start focusing on Noah , so that means more 1-on-1 chances for me , KJ ( Hamler ) and the other receivers to get open.
” So far , Fant is on track for 88 targets this year , and that ’ s not near enough for an offense in need of an every-down receiving threat to emerge .
Shurmur ’ s game plan should have underlined , right at the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

With Drew Lock sidelined with a shoulder injury and top wideout Courtland Sutton out for the season with a torn ACL, the onus to jump-start the Broncos’ passing attack falls on tight end Noah Fant.
Through his first 18 career games, Denver’s first-round draft pick from 2019 has proven his big-play capability. He went through rookie growing pains last year (i.e. three drops against Kansas City at home) and quickly learned from them. And now, two games into 2020, Fant’s play is backing up his preseason declaration that he wants to be in the same elite category as All-Pro tight ends Travis Kelce and George Kittle.
But for Fant to take on that offensive onus, coordinator Pat Shurmur and Broncos backup quarterbacks (Jeff Driskel this week, perhaps Blake Bortles in coming weeks) must keep Fant more consistently involved.
Case-in-point: Fant’s production has been explosive in two of the four halves the Broncos have played so far, and non-existent in the other two.
In Week 1 against Tennessee, the former Iowa star went off for five catches on five targets, tying a career-high, for 81 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The second half? As the Broncos’ offense sputtered with four punts in six possessions, Fant was silent with zero catches on one target that came with 17 seconds left.
“We tried to take advantage of some other matchups, which was a good idea,” Fant said after the loss. “I’m sure we’ll get it figured out and keep pressing forward from there.”
While Fant gave the company line, the real talk is this: In that game, with Sutton out due to a shoulder injury, the Broncos needed to be more aggressive with play-calls geared toward their young, explosive tight end. It was the same story in Week 2 when Fant had no targets in the first half but then made his mark in the second half with four catches on five targets for 57 yards and a touchdown plus a two-point conversion, all off the hand of Driskel.
Driskel, it seems, understands who his top target should be.
“Noah is an unbelievable athlete who’s a big target out there, he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, and he can make the contested catches,” Driskel said. “He’s done it all for us thus far this year, and we’re kind of expecting him to build on that and keep making plays for this offense.”
Coach Vic Fangio said the Broncos are “very comfortable throwing it to him a lot if that’s the best way for us to win.” Throw Fant’s way until the defense proves it can stop him or until the defense’s attention towards the tight end opens up room for the team’s speedy rookie wideouts.
Fant ranks fifth among NFL tight ends in receiving yards with 138, but his 15.3 yards per catch average is higher than the other four tight ends on that list. Per Pro Football Focus, he’s also the only player with a perfect 158.3 passer rating on 10 or more targets this season.
“Noah’s able to open up plays for us,” rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy pointed out. “They’re going to start focusing on Noah, so that means more 1-on-1 chances for me, KJ (Hamler) and the other receivers to get open.”
So far, Fant is on track for 88 targets this year, and that’s not near enough for an offense in need of an every-down receiving threat to emerge.
Shurmur’s game plan should have underlined, right at the top of his sheet: Feed Noah Fant.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--RTD board plans to keep new CEO’s salary and contract from public until night of vote

The salary and other contract terms for the Regional Transportation District ’ s incoming CEO and general manager have been hammered out by a negotiating committee , setting the stage for potential approval by the agency ’ s board next week .
But the elected board members have opted to keep the public in the dark about the terms of Debra Johnson ’ s contract until shortly before the expected vote Tuesday night .
The contract itself won ’ t be made public until after the vote .
The decision , revealed during recent meetings of the GM Executive Search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s close-to-the-vest approach to handling past general managers ’ contracts .
But it deviates from RTD ’ s common practice of including some other not-yet-approved legal documents in the public packets for meeting agendas several days in advance .
Johnson ’ s contract is coming up at a sensitive time , as RTD is poised to welcome a top official — one likely to make upwards of $ 300,000 a year , based on past CEOs ’ salaries — at the same time it ’ s making plans to lay off as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency also is considering furloughs and pay cuts for management to help balance a pandemic-induced budget shortfall .
Most of the GM committee ’ s members , including board chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede , said they viewed Johnson ’ s contract differently because the terms are subject to change until the vote , though those were all but set as of Tuesday .
On Thursday afternoon , the committee plans to advance the contract for higher consideration .
Director Natalie Menten , long an advocate on the board for reducing the salaries paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is among few members who have taken exception .
“ It ’ s bad public policy to withhold major contract terms from the public until after we vote , ” Menten said Wednesday .
“ Purposely concealing information from citizens is bluntly saying they aren ’ t welcome or worthy of being included in the discussion .
I disagree with that dismissive attitude towards the public.
” Also questioning the decision is Jeff Roberts , executive director of the Freedom of Information Coalition .
He argued that the contract would become a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to elected officials for consideration in a public meeting lose their confidentiality protection under the Colorado Open Records Act .
“ There ’ s definitely a public interest in how the new general manager is to be compensated , ” Roberts said .
“ At some point in time , that has to be part of the public discussion.
” The board selected Johnson , the deputy CEO of Long Beach Transit in California , as RTD ’ s next leader on Aug. 25 , with Menten casting the sole “ no ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee ’ s remote meetings have included lengthy executive sessions , out of public earshot , to discuss strategy and get legal advice .
But the public portions of recent meetings have included debate about how to handle the contract ’ s release , with Menten pushing to make it available prior to the final vote .
She told colleagues Tuesday that she considered it “ really sad ” that most wouldn ’ t agree to that .
“ Thank you for your comment , ” committee chair Peggy Catlin responded , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the majority of this committee felt that , until there ’ s a formal action taken by the board , that it is still under negotiation.
” During Friday ’ s meeting , Director Vince Buzek , defended that view and said it was likely board members would discuss some of the contract ’ s terms during next week ’ s meeting , before the vote .
“ That ’ s when those details may come out , and I don ’ t see that as a deviation from our process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this in terms of ‘ we ’ re hiding information and withholding information ’ — I think that ’ s disingenuous , and it just taints the entire process .
It ’ s not what we ’ re doing .
We ’ re in a negotiation phase , and our goal as elected officials is to protect the interests of the Regional Transportation District.
” Once a contract is signed , Johnson is expected to start at RTD in early November .

The salary and other contract terms for the Regional Transportation District’s incoming CEO and general manager have been hammered out by a negotiating committee, setting the stage for potential approval by the agency’s board next week.
But the elected board members have opted to keep the public in the dark about the terms of Debra Johnson’s contract until shortly before the expected vote Tuesday night. The contract itself won’t be made public until after the vote. (Update: The Denver Post reported details of the proposed contract in a Sept. 26 story.)
The decision, revealed during recent meetings of the GM Executive Search Committee, hews to the board’s close-to-the-vest approach to handling past general managers’ contracts. But it deviates from RTD’s common practice of including some other not-yet-approved legal documents in the public packets for meeting agendas several days in advance.
Johnson’s contract is coming up at a sensitive time, as RTD is poised to welcome a top official — one likely to make upwards of $300,000 a year, based on past CEOs’ salaries — at the same time it’s making plans to lay off as many as 550 union and salaried employees. The agency also is considering furloughs and pay cuts for management to help balance a pandemic-induced budget shortfall.
Most of the GM committee’s members, including board chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede, said they viewed Johnson’s contract differently because the terms are subject to change until the vote, though those were all but set as of Tuesday.
On Thursday afternoon, the committee plans to advance the contract for higher consideration.
Director Natalie Menten, long an advocate on the board for reducing the salaries paid to RTD’s top officials, is among few members who have taken exception.
“It’s bad public policy to withhold major contract terms from the public until after we vote,” Menten said Wednesday. “Purposely concealing information from citizens is bluntly saying they aren’t welcome or worthy of being included in the discussion. I disagree with that dismissive attitude towards the public.”
Also questioning the decision is Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. He argued that the contract would become a public document before the vote because materials given to elected officials for consideration in a public meeting lose their confidentiality protection under the Colorado Open Records Act.
“There’s definitely a public interest in how the new general manager is to be compensated,” Roberts said. “At some point in time, that has to be part of the public discussion.”
The board selected Johnson, the deputy CEO of Long Beach Transit in California, as RTD’s next leader on Aug. 25, with Menten casting the sole “no” vote.
Since then, the GM committee’s remote meetings have included lengthy executive sessions, out of public earshot, to discuss strategy and get legal advice. But the public portions of recent meetings have included debate about how to handle the contract’s release, with Menten pushing to make it available prior to the final vote.
She told colleagues Tuesday that she considered it “really sad” that most wouldn’t agree to that.
“Thank you for your comment,” committee chair Peggy Catlin responded, adding: “I think you are correct that the majority of this committee felt that, until there’s a formal action taken by the board, that it is still under negotiation.”
During Friday’s meeting, Director Vince Buzek, defended that view and said it was likely board members would discuss some of the contract’s terms during next week’s meeting, before the vote.
“That’s when those details may come out, and I don’t see that as a deviation from our process,” he said. “To couch this in terms of ‘we’re hiding information and withholding information’ — I think that’s disingenuous, and it just taints the entire process. It’s not what we’re doing. We’re in a negotiation phase, and our goal as elected officials is to protect the interests of the Regional Transportation District.”
Once a contract is signed, Johnson is expected to start at RTD in early November.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Guest commentary: CDC’s eviction moratorium is unconstitutional, harmful to Colorado

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has enacted an eviction moratorium that ’ s entirely outside of its expertise and proper area of administrative governance , was completely unnecessary , harmful to the state of Colorado , and frankly , unconstitutional .
Colorado ’ s housing providers and residents have been working to keep residents in their homes since the start COVID-19 closures .
Rent payment rates have remained high and eviction levels are at an all-time low .
The moratorium on evictions for some residents through the end of 2020 , may create the very problem the misguided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to start dictating housing policy .
Like renters , housing providers are also experiencing financial hardships and struggling to keep the housing market healthy .
Over 70 % of Colorado ’ s rental housing properties are seven units or less .
Small business owners are a key part of Colorado ’ s housing supply .
Mortgage bills , property taxes , employee paychecks , maintenance expenses still must be paid .
There is no mortgage relief or other subsidy available under this eviction moratorium , and housing providers and management companies depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses .
For any market to work , legal obligations and contracts must be enforceable .
Housing providers and customers have a legal obligation to one another with the understanding that housing will be provided in exchange for rent being paid .
When there is no mechanism to enforce the obligation to pay , there is no incentive to rent the unit in the first place .
To keep the housing market functioning , we must protect a reasonably predictable , reasonably priced and reasonably timed method of recovering the property loaned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements and removes any solutions for payment between the housing provider and resident .
The CDC is attempting to decree that certain people be given free rent .
However , the agency isn ’ t funding that decree .
It ’ s not a welfare program where the cost is spread among society as a whole .
Rather , it is simply demanding that one person pay the other person ’ s rent .
This is exactly what the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment was designed to prevent .
It was put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcing some people alone to bear public burdens ( in this case , the inability to pay rent due to COVID-19 closures ) which , in all fairness and justice , should be borne by the public as a whole.
” The economic upheaval brought on by a global pandemic is not housing providers ’ burden to bear alone and forcing them to foot the bill when banks , employees and other goods and services still expect payment , is not only unjust .
It will reduce the housing supply for Coloradans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for renting property , there ’ s no incentive to rent the property .
This makes affordable housing less attainable , by reducing the supply and availability of rental properties , and backfires on the renters it ’ s meant to help .
Telling the country ’ s housing providers that they can ’ t file a legal action to get a court to hear their grievances is a textbook case First Amendment violation .
What may save Colorado ’ s housing market from the CDC ’ s moratorium are limits on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents who can income qualify , demonstrate an inability to pay the full rent , have paid the full partial portion of the rent possible , and have exhausted all available rental assistance programs .
It remains to be seen how courts will interpret these standards and how they will deal with disputes over false claims of protections .
If the CDC wants renters to avoid financial evictions , it should be finding other solutions , such as direct rental assistance .
Simply stealing from one group is not good advice .
Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president of government affairs at the Colorado Apartment Association .
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has enacted an eviction moratorium that’s entirely outside of its expertise and proper area of administrative governance, was completely unnecessary, harmful to the state of Colorado, and frankly, unconstitutional. Colorado’s housing providers and residents have been working to keep residents in their homes since the start COVID-19 closures. Rent payment rates have remained high and eviction levels are at an all-time low.
The moratorium on evictions for some residents through the end of 2020, may create the very problem the misguided government officials were worried about when they decided to start dictating housing policy.
Like renters, housing providers are also experiencing financial hardships and struggling to keep the housing market healthy. Over 70% of Colorado’s rental housing properties are seven units or less. Small business owners are a key part of Colorado’s housing supply. Mortgage bills, property taxes, employee paychecks, maintenance expenses still must be paid. There is no mortgage relief or other subsidy available under this eviction moratorium, and housing providers and management companies depend on monthly rental payments to pay these expenses.
For any market to work, legal obligations and contracts must be enforceable. Housing providers and customers have a legal obligation to one another with the understanding that housing will be provided in exchange for rent being paid. When there is no mechanism to enforce the obligation to pay, there is no incentive to rent the unit in the first place. To keep the housing market functioning, we must protect a reasonably predictable, reasonably priced and reasonably timed method of recovering the property loaned. An eviction ban destroys these contractual lease agreements and removes any solutions for payment between the housing provider and resident.
The CDC is attempting to decree that certain people be given free rent. However, the agency isn’t funding that decree. It’s not a welfare program where the cost is spread among society as a whole. Rather, it is simply demanding that one person pay the other person’s rent. This is exactly what the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment was designed to prevent. It was put into place “to bar government from forcing some people alone to bear public burdens (in this
case, the inability to pay rent due to COVID-19 closures) which, in all fairness and justice, should be borne by the public as a whole.”
The economic upheaval brought on by a global pandemic is not housing providers’ burden to bear alone and forcing them to foot the bill when banks, employees and other goods and services still expect payment, is not only unjust. It will reduce the housing supply for Coloradans. If you can’t get compensated for renting property, there’s no incentive to rent the property. This makes affordable housing less attainable, by reducing the supply and availability of rental properties, and backfires on the renters it’s meant to help.
Telling the country’s housing providers that they can’t file a legal action to get a court to hear their grievances is a textbook case First Amendment violation.
What may save Colorado’s housing market from the CDC’s moratorium are limits on its applicability. The moratorium only applies to residents who can income qualify, demonstrate an inability to pay the full rent, have paid the full partial portion of the rent possible, and have exhausted all available rental assistance programs. It remains to be seen how courts will interpret these standards and how they will deal with disputes over false claims of protections.
If the CDC wants renters to avoid financial evictions, it should be finding other solutions, such as direct rental assistance. Simply stealing from one group is not good advice.
Drew Hamrick is the general counsel and senior vice president of government affairs at the Colorado
Apartment Association.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Ask Amy: Couple wants only “classy” PDAs

Dear Amy : My wife and I have been happily married for over 20 years .
We have a question about how to handle an issue with some friends of ours .
“ Jake ” is 56 and “ Lucy ” is 52 .
My wife and I are 50 and 53 .
Both Jake and Lucy are getting divorced after having been married to their exes for over 25 years each .
( Jake had a very poor sex life during his marriage . )
Jake and Lucy have been dating for a couple of months now .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife and I think this is great , but we are both uncomfortable with their behavior .
Lucy shares far too many intimate details with my wife about her sex life .
My wife says it makes her feel uneasy .
Jake does the same thing with me , but to a much lesser degree .
Another problem is that they are all over each other like slutty teenagers in public .
It gets even worse when the four of us are hanging out in our backyard .
We totally support public displays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we draw the line at borderline sex acts in our kitchen right in front of us — when the four of us are conversing over a bottle of wine .
PDAs should always be classy , and not gross and slutty .
Do you have any advice on how to politely ask Jake and Lucy to cut out the pornography and set some limits on what are appropriate actions when they are together in our presence ?
Dear Blinded : I ’ m not sure what kind of PDA you consider “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I ’ m going to guess that even though it ’ s hard to define , you know it when you see it .
It is common to overshare when you ’ re in the beginning stages of a compelling emotional/sexual relationship , whether you are a teenager or a middle-age divorcee .
And the problem with couples behaving this way publicly is that it completely excludes others , turning witnesses into an audience .
If pornographic displays have erupted in your backyard , your kitchen , or elsewhere on your property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of : “ Hey , don ’ t make me get out the hose , ” or “ Whoa , get a room , you two !
” Privately , you and your wife should honestly tell your ( respective ) friends , “ We are so happy for you .
It is obvious that you are really into each other , but some of the conversation about your sexual relationship and some of the more graphic public displays of affection are making me uncomfortable.
” Dear Amy : I have drawn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I recently drew a picture of my beautiful daughter .
She seemed to be delighted when she saw it .
I did not hear much from her about it , so I asked her how her husband liked it .
She told me that he said he thought the drawing looked like me .
Not a very flattering comment , but honest .
I decided I would like the drawing back since it pleased me , and they did not seem to want to hang it .
She said she wanted to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their guesthouse , which is separate from their residence .
I am OK with the fact they do not like the drawing .
Not everyone likes the same type of art , but I would like to have my drawing back , since it means more to me than to them .
Is it a problem if I ask for my drawing back ?
Dear Artist : You should not ask for the drawing back .
You should not cast aspersions on your daughter , who received the drawing and has hung it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it .
When your son-in-law remarked that the drawing looked like you , it doesn ’ t seem to have occurred to you that you and your daughter resemble one another , and that this might be a thoughtful ( and flattering ) comment .
You should not ask for this gift back .
Furthermore , you are way too sensitive to share your art with others .
I hope you will enjoy your hobby privately .
Dear Amy : “ I Like Being Alone ” was planning some hikes at nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to invite her co-worker , due to her dog ’ s bad habits .
She might have an easy out … most national parks do not allow dogs !
Dear Like to Hike : Many readers pointed this out .
My own research shows that different parks have different rules : Check NPS.gov for specifics .

Dear Amy: My wife and I have been happily married for over 20 years. We have a question about how to handle an issue with some friends of ours. “Jake” is 56 and “Lucy” is 52. My wife and I are 50 and 53.
Both Jake and Lucy are getting divorced after having been married to their exes for over 25 years each. (Jake had a very poor sex life during his marriage.)
Jake and Lucy have been dating for a couple of months now. They are very into each other. My wife and I think this is great, but we are both uncomfortable with their behavior.
Lucy shares far too many intimate details with my wife about her sex life. My wife says it makes her feel uneasy. Jake does the same thing with me, but to a much lesser degree.
Another problem is that they are all over each other like slutty teenagers in public. It gets even worse when the four of us are hanging out in our backyard.
We totally support public displays of affection when done with class, but we draw the line at borderline sex acts in our kitchen right in front of us — when the four of us are conversing over a bottle of wine. PDAs should always be classy, and not gross and slutty.
Do you have any advice on how to politely ask Jake and Lucy to cut out the pornography and set some limits on what are appropriate actions when they are together in our presence?
— Blinded by the Sight
Dear Blinded: I’m not sure what kind of PDA you consider “classy” versus “slutty,” but I’m going to guess that even though it’s hard to define, you know it when you see it.
It is common to overshare when you’re in the beginning stages of a compelling emotional/sexual relationship, whether you are a teenager or a middle-age divorcee. And the problem with couples behaving this way publicly is that it completely excludes others, turning witnesses into an audience.
If pornographic displays have erupted in your backyard, your kitchen, or elsewhere on your property, you can good-naturedly say a version of: “Hey, don’t make me get out the hose,” or “Whoa, get a room, you two!”
Privately, you and your wife should honestly tell your (respective) friends, “We are so happy for you. It is obvious that you are really into each other, but some of the conversation about your sexual relationship and some of the more graphic public displays of affection are making me uncomfortable.”
Dear Amy: I have drawn and painted for most of my life. I recently drew a picture of my beautiful daughter.
She seemed to be delighted when she saw it. I did not hear much from her about it, so I asked her how her husband liked it. She told me that he said he thought the drawing looked like me. Not a very flattering comment, but honest.
I decided I would like the drawing back since it pleased me, and they did not seem to want to hang it. She said she wanted to keep it. Then they put it in their guesthouse, which is separate from their residence.
I am OK with the fact they do not like the drawing. Not everyone likes the same type of art, but I would like to have my drawing back, since it means more to me than to them. Is it a problem if I ask for my drawing back?
— Artist
Dear Artist: You should not ask for the drawing back. You should not cast aspersions on your daughter, who received the drawing and has hung it in their guesthouse, where others will see it.
When your son-in-law remarked that the drawing looked like you, it doesn’t seem to have occurred to you that you and your daughter resemble one another, and that this might be a thoughtful (and flattering) comment.
You should not ask for this gift back. Furthermore, you are way too sensitive to share your art with others. I hope you will enjoy your hobby privately.
Dear Amy: “I Like Being Alone” was planning some hikes at nearby national parks and didn’t want to invite her co-worker, due to her dog’s bad habits.
She might have an easy out … most national parks do not allow dogs!
— Like to Hike
Dear Like to Hike: Many readers pointed this out. My own research shows that different parks have different rules: Check NPS.gov for specifics.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-09-24--Rockies’ struggles continue with loss against Giants

The 2020 Rockies are like those Hallmark Christmas romance movies .
Except that in the case of the Rockies , there is rarely a sweet , happy ending .
They followed a familiar script in a 7-2 loss to San Francisco Wednesday night at Oracle Park .
Losers of eight of their last 11 games , the Rockies lacked timely hits — 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position — and the bullpen once again faltered in the big moment .
In this case , right-hander Yency Almonte left a 1-0 slider over the plate and Mauricio Dubón ripped it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give the Giants a 5-2 lead in the fifth .
It was just Dubón ’ s third home run of the season .
“ I think ( Almonte ) and Daniel ( Bard ) have been bright spots out of the bullpen fairly consistently all year , and Yency ’ s slider is an above-average pitch on a scouting scale , ” manager Bud Black said .
“ The pitch to Dubón was a slider the just didn ’ t get to the outside part of the plate .
It didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The kid dropped the ( bat ) head on it , got it up in the air .
He squared it up.
” With five games remaining in the 60-game season , the Rockies are 24-31 , can not post a winning record and are looking at 2021 .
The Giants , who improved to 28-27 , hold the seventh of the National League ’ s eight playoff spots .
Black , of course , has seen Wednesday ’ s plot play out too many times this season .
“ They got the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , ” he said .
“ We had a couple opportunities with guys on base and couldn ’ t cash in … Situational hitting tonight in a couple of instances was not good .
“ It was sort of a microcosm of what ’ s happened in the shortened season , where our hitting with runners in scoring position has been down .
On the pitching side , there ’ s been too many games where a big hit has come back to bite us late in the game.
” The Rockies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season is .249 , making it the second-worst in franchise history behind only the 2011 club ’ s average of .245 .
Almonte came in for starter Ryan Castellani , who pitched OK but struggled in the fifth , giving up a leadoff double to Alex Dickerson , a sacrifice fly to Brandon Crawford and two walks .
The Giants piled on in the eighth against right-hander Tommy Doyle who was making his major league debut .
Doyle , drafted in 2017 out of the University of Virginia , gave up two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triple by Joey Bart and a double by Dickerson .
Over his 4 2/3 innings , Castellani was charged with four runs on five hits with one strikeout .
He walked five , and handing out free passes has been a problem for the rookie right-hander .
He ’ s walked 26 this season vs. 25 strikeouts .
His biggest flaw has been lack of fastball command , plus , he admitted that he ’ s a bit worn down .
“ This is the most I ’ ve consistently pitched in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling it , ” said Castellani , now 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA .
“ I just need it to get stronger .
Just prepare for a real , full , long season .
And just clean up some things mechanically to put my body in a better position to execute more consistently .
“ I know the stuff is there .
I have full confidence in myself .
I just need to improve a little bit.
” Black knows what he wants to see from Castellani next season .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his challenge moving forward as a major league pitcher , ” Black said .
“ That ’ s to command the fastball and get the ball-strike ratio much better.
” Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the third on Trevor Story ’ s RBI single up the middle off of Logan Webb , to score Raimel Tapia .
Tapia reached on an infield single and advanced to second on Kevin Pillar ’ s grounder to third .
The Giants tied the game 1-1 in the fourth on Evan Longoria ’ s leadoff homer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockies came right back to take a 2-1 lead in the fifth , and Tapia , as has become the norm , was in the middle of the rally .
Garrett Hampson led off with a single and scored from first when Tapia ’ s line drive sailed over the head of Dickerson in left field for an RBI double .
Dickerson misplayed the ball , but Tapia hit it hard the opposite way .
The Rockies and Giants conclude their four-game series Thursday afternoon .

The 2020 Rockies are like those Hallmark Christmas romance movies.
Predictable.
Except that in the case of the Rockies, there is rarely a sweet, happy ending.
They followed a familiar script in a 7-2 loss to San Francisco Wednesday night at Oracle Park. Losers of eight of their last 11 games, the Rockies lacked timely hits — 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position — and the bullpen once again faltered in the big moment.
In this case, right-hander Yency Almonte left a 1-0 slider over the plate and Mauricio Dubón ripped it to left for a two-out, three-run homer to give the Giants a 5-2 lead in the fifth. It was just Dubón’s third home run of the season.
“I think (Almonte) and Daniel (Bard) have been bright spots out of the bullpen fairly
consistently all year, and Yency’s slider is an above-average pitch on a scouting scale,” manager Bud Black said. “The pitch to Dubón was a slider the just didn’t get to the outside part of the plate. It didn’t get away from the barrel. The kid dropped the (bat) head on it, got it up in the air. He squared it up.”
With five games remaining in the 60-game season, the Rockies are 24-31, cannot post a winning record and are looking at 2021. The Giants, who improved to 28-27, hold the seventh of the National League’s eight playoff spots.
Black, of course, has seen Wednesday’s plot play out too many times this season.
“They got the big, three-run homer in a close game,” he said. “We had a couple opportunities with guys on base and couldn’t cash in … Situational hitting tonight in a couple of instances was not good.
“It was sort of a microcosm of what’s happened in the shortened season, where our hitting with runners in scoring position has been down. On the pitching side, there’s been too many games where a big hit has come back to bite us late in the game.”
The Rockies’ average with runners in scoring position this season is .249, making it the second-worst in franchise history behind only the 2011 club’s average of .245.
Almonte came in for starter Ryan Castellani, who pitched OK but struggled in the fifth, giving up a leadoff double to Alex Dickerson, a sacrifice fly to Brandon Crawford and two walks.
The Giants piled on in the eighth against right-hander Tommy Doyle who was making his major league debut. Doyle, drafted in 2017 out of the University of Virginia, gave up two runs on four hits, including a triple by Joey Bart and a double by Dickerson.
Over his 4 2/3 innings, Castellani was charged with four runs on five hits with one strikeout. He walked five, and handing out free passes has been a problem for the rookie right-hander. He’s walked 26 this season vs. 25 strikeouts.
His biggest flaw has been lack of fastball command, plus, he admitted that he’s a bit worn down.
“This is the most I’ve consistently pitched in a while and I know my body is feeling it,” said Castellani, now 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA. “I just need it to get stronger. Just prepare for a real, full, long season. And just clean up some things mechanically to put my body in a better position to execute more consistently.
“I know the stuff is there. I have full confidence in myself. I just need to improve a little bit.”
Black knows what he wants to see from Castellani next season.
“We’ve had conversations with Ryan, about his challenge moving forward as a major league pitcher,” Black said. “That’s to command the fastball and get the ball-strike ratio much better.”
Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the third on Trevor Story’s RBI single up the middle off of Logan Webb, to score Raimel Tapia. Tapia reached on an infield single and advanced to second on Kevin Pillar’s grounder to third.
The Giants tied the game 1-1 in the fourth on Evan Longoria’s leadoff homer to center off Castellani.
But the Rockies came right back to take a 2-1 lead in the fifth, and Tapia, as has become the norm, was in the middle of the rally. Garrett Hampson led off with a single and scored from first when Tapia’s line drive sailed over the head of Dickerson in left field for an RBI double. Dickerson misplayed the ball, but Tapia hit it hard the opposite way.
The Rockies and Giants conclude their four-game series Thursday afternoon.


thedenverpost--2020-09-25--Man detained after driving through Denver protest crowd says he meant no harm

The man who was detained after driving his car through a crowd of protesters rallying for Breonna Taylor says he had no intention of hurting anybody and was only defending himself after his vehicle was surrounded by demonstrators outside the Colorado State Capitol building Wednesday night .
“ I was driving to go pick up a client and I saw a commotion , I saw police lights at 14th and Lincoln and so when I was there , at the Capitol , I wasn ’ t really looking left , I was looking right to see the accident and by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting surrounded by people , ” said Jonathan Benson , who claimed demonstrators yelled , kicked and even used a hammer on his windshield as they tried to get him to leave the area .
A small crowd of protesters surrounded Benson ’ s vehicle and blocked his way .
Benson told Denver7 he didn ’ t know at that moment if one of the protesters was trying to get into his vehicle , adding the whole situation was “ just chaos.
” “ I had the intent to defend myself , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I had no intention of hurting anybody and I ’ m glad it was a bike that I ran over because I thought I ran somebody over , so I was glad that nobody got hurt.
” The driver has not been cited or criminally charged , but the investigation is ongoing , Denver police said Thursday .
For more on this report , visit The Denver Channel .

The man who was detained after driving his car through a crowd of protesters rallying for Breonna Taylor says he had no intention of hurting anybody and was only defending himself after his vehicle was surrounded by demonstrators outside the Colorado State Capitol building Wednesday night.
“I was driving to go pick up a client and I saw a commotion, I saw police lights at 14th and Lincoln and so when I was there, at the Capitol, I wasn’t really looking left, I was looking right to see the accident and by the time I turned, I started getting surrounded by people,” said Jonathan Benson, who claimed demonstrators yelled, kicked and even used a hammer on his windshield as they tried to get him to leave the area.
Car hit a protester pic.twitter.com/dtETwNoHPT — Shelly Bradbury (@ShellyBradbury) September 24, 2020
A small crowd of protesters surrounded Benson’s vehicle and blocked his way. Benson told Denver7 he didn’t know at that moment if one of the protesters was trying to get into his vehicle, adding the whole situation was “just chaos.”
“I had the intent to defend myself, that’s it,” Benson said. “I had no intention of hurting anybody and I’m glad it was a bike that I ran over because I thought I ran somebody over, so I was glad that nobody got hurt.”
The driver has not been cited or criminally charged, but the investigation is ongoing, Denver police said Thursday.
For more on this report, visit The Denver Channel.