thedenverpost--2020-12-12--Charley Pride, country music’s first Black star, dies at 86

NEW YORK — Charley Pride , country music ’ s first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits as “ Kiss an Angel Good Morning ” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame , has died .
He was 86 .
Pride died Saturday in Dallas of complications from COVID-19 , according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media .
“ I ’ m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends , Charley Pride , has passed away .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed away from COVID-19 .
What a horrible , horrible virus .
Charley , we will always love you , ” Dolly Parton tweeted .
Pride released dozens of albums and sold more than 25 million records during a career that began in the mid-1960s .
Hits besides “ Kiss an Angel Good Morning ” in 1971 included “ Is Anybody Goin ’ to San Antone , ” “ Burgers and Fries , ” “ Mountain of Love , ” and “ Someone Loves You Honey.
” He had three Grammy Awards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 1969 and 1984 , won the Country Music Association ’ s Top Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000 .
The Smithsonian in Washington acquired memorabilia from Pride , including a pair of boots and one of his guitars , for the the National Museum of African American History and Culture .
Ronnie Milsap called him a “ pioneer ” and said that without his encouragement , Milsap might never gone to Nashville .
“ To hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heart , ” he said in a statement .
Until the early 1990s , when Cleve Francis came along , Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label .
In 1993 , he joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in Nashville .
“ They used to ask me how it feels to be the ` first colored country singer , ‘ ” he told The Dallas Morning News in 1992 .
“ Then it was ` first Negro country singer ; ’ then ` first black country singer.′ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African-American country singer.′ That ’ s about the only thing that ’ s changed .
This country is so race-conscious , so ate-up with colors and pigments .
I call it ` skin hangups ’ — it ’ s a disease.
” Pride was raised in Sledge , Mississippi , the son of a sharecropper .
He had seven brothers and three sisters .
In 2008 while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Mississippi Governor ’ s Awards for Excellence in the Arts , Pride said he never focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time said , ‘ Why are you singing THEIR music ?
’ ” Pride said .
“ But we all understand what the y ’ all-and-us-syndrome has been .
See , I never as an individual accepted that , and I truly believe that ’ s why I am where I am today.
” As a young man before launching his singing career , he was a pitcher and outfielder in the Negro American League with the Memphis Red Sox and in the Pioneer League in Montana .
After playing minor league baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in Helena , Montana , where he worked in a zinc smelting plant by day and played country music in nightclubs at night .
After a tryout with the New York Mets , he visited Nashville and broke into country music when Chet Atkins , head of RCA Records , heard two of his demo tapes and signed him .
To ensure that Pride was judged on his music and not his race , his first few singles were sent to radio stations without a publicity photo .
After his identity became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to play his music .
For the most part , though , Pride said he was well received .
Early in his career , he would put white audiences at ease when he joked about his “ permanent tan.
” “ Music is the greatest communicator on the planet Earth , ” he said in 1992 .
“ Once people heard the sincerity in my voice and heard me project and watched my delivery , it just dissipated any apprehension or bad feeling they might have had.
” Throughout his career , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones often associated with country music .
“ Music is a beautiful way of expressing oneself and I truly believe music should not be taken as a protest , ” he told The Associated Press in 1985 .
“ You can go too far in anything — singing , acting , whatever — and become politicized to the point you cease to be an entertainer.
” In 1994 , he wrote his autobiography , “ Pride : The Charley Pride Story , ” in which he disclosed he was mildly manic depressive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tumor from his right vocal cord .
He received the Living Legend award from The Nashville Network/Music City News , recognizing 30 years of achievement , in 1997 .
“ I ’ d like to be remembered as a good person who tried to be a good entertainer and made people happy , was a good American who paid his taxes and made a good living , ” he said in 1985 .
“ I tried to do my best and contribute my part.
” He is survived by his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; three children , Kraig , Dion and Angela ; and several grandchildren .

NEW YORK — Charley Pride, country music’s first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits as “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86.
Pride died Saturday in Dallas of complications from COVID-19, according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media.
“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you,” Dolly Parton tweeted.
Pride released dozens of albums and sold more than 25 million records during a career that began in the mid-1960s. Hits besides “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” in 1971 included “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” “Burgers and Fries,” “Mountain of Love,” and “Someone Loves You Honey.”
He had three Grammy Awards, more than 30 No. 1 hits between 1969 and 1984, won the Country Music Association’s Top Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
The Smithsonian in Washington acquired memorabilia from Pride, including a pair of boots and one of his guitars, for the the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Ronnie Milsap called him a “pioneer” and said that without his encouragement, Milsap might never gone to Nashville. “To hear this news tears out a piece of my heart,” he said in a statement.
Until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label.
In 1993, he joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in Nashville.
“They used to ask me how it feels to be the `first colored country singer,‘” he told The Dallas Morning News in 1992. “Then it was `first Negro country singer;’ then `first black country singer.′ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. This country is so race-conscious, so ate-up with colors and pigments. I call it `skin hangups’ — it’s a disease.”
Pride was raised in Sledge, Mississippi, the son of a sharecropper. He had seven brothers and three sisters.
In 2008 while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Mississippi Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Pride said he never focused on race.
“My older sister one time said, ‘Why are you singing THEIR music?’” Pride said. “But we all understand what the y’all-and-us-syndrome has been. See, I never as an individual accepted that, and I truly believe that’s why I am where I am today.”
As a young man before launching his singing career, he was a pitcher and outfielder in the Negro American League with the Memphis Red Sox and in the Pioneer League in Montana.
After playing minor league baseball a couple of years, he ended up in Helena, Montana, where he worked in a zinc smelting plant by day and played country music in nightclubs at night.
After a tryout with the New York Mets, he visited Nashville and broke into country music when Chet Atkins, head of RCA Records, heard two of his demo tapes and signed him.
To ensure that Pride was judged on his music and not his race, his first few singles were sent to radio stations without a publicity photo. After his identity became known, a few country radio stations refused to play his music.
For the most part, though, Pride said he was well received. Early in his career, he would put white audiences at ease when he joked about his “permanent tan.”
“Music is the greatest communicator on the planet Earth,” he said in 1992. “Once people heard the sincerity in my voice and heard me project and watched my delivery, it just dissipated any apprehension or bad feeling they might have had.”
Throughout his career, he sang positive songs instead of sad ones often associated with country music.
“Music is a beautiful way of expressing oneself and I truly believe music should not be taken as a protest,” he told The Associated Press in 1985. “You can go too far in anything — singing, acting, whatever — and become politicized to the point you cease to be an entertainer.”
In 1994, he wrote his autobiography, “Pride: The Charley Pride Story,” in which he disclosed he was mildly manic depressive.
He had surgery in 1997 to remove a tumor from his right vocal cord.
He received the Living Legend award from The Nashville Network/Music City News, recognizing 30 years of achievement, in 1997.
“I’d like to be remembered as a good person who tried to be a good entertainer and made people happy, was a good American who paid his taxes and made a good living,” he said in 1985. “I tried to do my best and contribute my part.”
He is survived by his wife, Rozene, whom he married in 1956; three children, Kraig, Dion and Angela; and several grandchildren.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--Editorial: Who should get Colorado’s first COVID-19 vaccine doses?

One thing is clear : the older you are , the more likely COVID-19 is to kill you .
We agree with Gov .
Jared Polis , the state ’ s coronavirus vaccine task force and the Centers for Disease Control that with the precious first doses of the vaccine , the top priority should be those who live and work in nursing homes or long-term care facilities .
The virus has been tearing through these facilities .
According to an analysis by The New York Times , 39 % of the deaths across America have come from these facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing will save lives .
Vaccinating those who work in these facilities will help prevent the virus from being brought through the front doors .
Both steps will drastically reduce the burden on our health care facilities , which are strained right now with more than 1,600 Coloradans in the hospital with severe symptoms as of Thursday .
Some of the very first vaccines will also go to those working on a daily basis with COVID-19 patients , including the janitors , technicians , nurses and doctors in COVID units .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals and nursing homes deciding which patients , doctors , and employees get the first doses , and subsequently , the second dose needed about 21 days later for the Pfizer vaccine to reach the almost 95 % efficacy observed in trials .
Polis emphasized in a meeting last week with The Post editorial board that while the priorities are important , it ’ s also critical that not a single vaccine dose goes to waste .
Polis said health officials are being instructed that getting the vaccine into an arm is far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether it ’ s the right arm .
While now it ’ s the heads of hospitals and care facilities making decisions about who gets the vaccine , possibly as early as this spring , it ’ ll be doctors and pharmacists across the state making that determination .
Those health care professionals are going to need clear guidance on how to manage the doses .
Should a 21-year-old asking for a vaccine at a pharmacy be given the shot or should his or her underlying health condition be confirmed first ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans who don ’ t have access to a care provider — especially those who are front-line workers at the post office or grocery store — have the same chance to get the vaccine as someone who has been seeing the same doctor for years .
While we generally agree with the plan that has been outlined for distribution , more detail will be needed this spring when a much broader segment of the population begins to have access to the vaccine .
The question of whether incarcerated or jailed individuals should get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been solved by removing that group from the list and allowing those individuals to be vaccinated after front-line workers and then based on each individual ’ s risk factor , rather than setting the population aside for special treatment .
We agree with this approach .
Healthy 21-year-olds in jail pending trial should not get the vaccine before an at-risk senior citizen whether he or she is in prison or not .
And a healthy 21-year-old living in a college dorm should not get the vaccine before a 65-year-old in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production of the vaccine will outstrip need and these complicated ethical questions of who should get the vaccine first will become easier this summer .
However , that is not likely given the global demand for these vaccines .
Time spent now providing guidance to doctors and pharmacists about distribution and working hard to reach underserved populations will pay off with lives saved .
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 .

One thing is clear: the older you are, the more likely COVID-19 is to kill you.
We agree with Gov. Jared Polis, the state’s coronavirus vaccine task force and the Centers for Disease Control that with the precious first doses of the vaccine, the top priority should be those who live and work in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. The virus has been tearing through these facilities. According to an analysis by The New York Times, 39% of the deaths across America have come from these facilities.
Vaccinating older Coloradans living in congregate housing will save lives. Vaccinating those who work in these facilities will help prevent the virus from being brought through the front doors. Both steps will drastically reduce the burden on our health care facilities, which are strained right now with more than 1,600 Coloradans in the hospital with severe symptoms as of Thursday. Some of the very first vaccines will also go to those working on a daily basis with COVID-19 patients, including the janitors, technicians, nurses and doctors in COVID units.
It’ll be the public health leaders at hospitals and nursing homes deciding which patients, doctors, and employees get the first doses, and subsequently, the second dose needed about 21 days later for the Pfizer vaccine to reach the almost 95% efficacy observed in trials.
Polis emphasized in a meeting last week with The Post editorial board that while the priorities are important, it’s also critical that not a single vaccine dose goes to waste. Polis said health officials are being instructed that getting the vaccine into an arm is far better than letting it expire while worrying about whether it’s the right arm.
While now it’s the heads of hospitals and care facilities making decisions about who gets the vaccine, possibly as early as this spring, it’ll be doctors and pharmacists across the state making that determination. Those health care professionals are going to need clear guidance on how to manage the doses. Should a 21-year-old asking for a vaccine at a pharmacy be given the shot or should his or her underlying health condition be confirmed first? How are we going to ensure that Americans who don’t have access to a care provider — especially those who are front-line workers at the post office or grocery store — have the same chance to get the vaccine as someone who has been seeing the same doctor for years.
While we generally agree with the plan that has been outlined for distribution, more detail will be needed this spring when a much broader segment of the population begins to have access to the vaccine.
The question of whether incarcerated or jailed individuals should get the vaccine before the general population appears to have been solved by removing that group from the list and allowing those individuals to be vaccinated after front-line workers and then based on each individual’s risk factor, rather than setting the population aside for special treatment. We agree with this approach. Healthy 21-year-olds in jail pending trial should not get the vaccine before an at-risk senior citizen whether he or she is in prison or not. And a healthy 21-year-old living in a college dorm should not get the vaccine before a 65-year-old in prison.
If we are fortunate, the production of the vaccine will outstrip need and these complicated ethical questions of who should get the vaccine first will become easier this summer. However, that is not likely given the global demand for these vaccines. Time spent now providing guidance to doctors and pharmacists about distribution and working hard to reach underserved populations will pay off with lives saved.
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--2020-12-13--Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy’s rookie year: Some flashes, but not enough catches

Lined up in a bunch formation to the right of quarterback Drew Lock on the Broncos ’ third offensive play last week at Kansas City , Jerry Jeudy received a pick from fellow rookie receiver KJ Hamler to get away from cornerback Charvarius Ward .
Six yards into his “ over ” route , Jeudy , looking back at Lock , put his right hand in the air , the Universal Receiver Signal for , “ I ’ m open .
Throw it to me.
” Lock opted to look left to tight end Noah Fant instead of middle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37-yard catch-and-run by Fant .
And so it went for Jeudy , who has only eight catches in the last four games and enters the season ’ s final stretch with only one game of more than 73 yards ( 125 in the loss at Atlanta ) .
Against the Chiefs , Jeudy ’ s first target came on a corner route with eight minutes left in the third quarter .
His only catch ( five-yard out route ) was on the Broncos ’ final drive .
Before the Broncos ’ charter flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then deleted — a line about getting his “ cardio ” in , an understandable sign of frustration .
Entering Sunday ’ s game at Carolina , Jeudy has 38 catches for 594 yards and two touchdowns , totals that don ’ t lead the Broncos or the NFL ’ s other rookie receivers .
A focal point of the final four games should be allowing Jeudy to exit the season with a good vibe about himself , about the offense and about the future .
“ I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , I just think he ’ d like to have more catches and I don ’ t know of any receiver that doesn ’ t feel that way , ” coach Vic Fangio said .
“ I don ’ t know what he said or didn ’ t say on Twitter , but I ’ m OK with Jerry .
Jerry ’ s in a good spot.
” A prerogative for offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is to get Jeudy in better spots to help Lock .
The Broncos ’ Plan A entering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the No .
1 receiver and his two years of game tape would attract the opponent ’ s best cornerback and over-the-top safety help .
In turn , that would allow Jeudy to equal parts work against a potentially less-talented player and do so in a 1-on-1 situation .
That plan was torpedoed in Week 2 at Pittsburgh when Sutton tore his ACL .
“ I don ’ t know if that ’ s happened exclusively , but it ’ s happened some , ” Fangio said .
That was clear against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first series , Jeudy lined up wide left and ran a go route down the sideline , trailed by a corner and eyed by a safety .
Later in the first half , out of a bunch right formation , Jeudy appeared to be bracketed by a cornerback and linebacker .
The loss of Sutton impacted Lock the most and Jeudy was a close second — a reason why Jeudy trails other rookie receivers statistically .
He can ’ t play off a veteran .
Jeudy is seventh among rookie receivers in catches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seventh in touchdowns .
The top four in catches all have the benefit of a veteran teammate .
CeeDee Lamb ( Dallas ) has 59 catches for 696 yards playing with Amari Cooper .
Tee Higgins ( Cincinnati ) has 53 catches for 729 yards playing with Tyler Boyd .
And Chase Claypool ( Pittsburgh ) has 47 catches for 649 yards playing with JuJu Smith-Schuster .
Even in Broncos ’ history , the two previous first-round receivers didn ’ t have the defensive spotlight on them .
In 2002 , Ashley Lelie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two touchdowns playing behind receivers Rod Smith ( 89 catches ) and Ed McCaffrey ( 69 ) and also tight end Shannon Sharpe ( 61 ) .
In 2010 , Demaryius Thomas had 22 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns playing behind Brandon Lloyd ( 77 catches ) Because of his high-profile college career at Alabama and draft status ( No .
15 overall ) , expectations were high for Jeudy — his numbers were expected to be similar to the Vikings ’ Jefferson .
But the going is often slow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to learning the entire route tree and facing press coverage .
Sure , Jeudy has produced flashes that should make the Broncos optimistic .
He had at least four catches in each of the first three games .
He had a 48-yard touchdown against the New York Jets .
And he has a team-high 17 “ explosive ” catches ( gain of at least 16 ) .
But Jeudy wants more .
And the Broncos want more .
“ You want a receiver that wants the ball , ” Lock said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his hands and wants to make plays .
That ’ s what we like about Jerry .
He wants the ball in any situation — the beginning of the game or crunch-time toward the end.
” So how does Shurmur get Jeudy going , assuming his recent ankle injury isn ’ t limiting him ?
“ This year ’ s rookies really got cheated in terms of their development , ” Shurmur said .
“ With regard to Jerry , he ’ s out there competing .
There were probably a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball ( last week ) .
” Against the Chiefs , the Broncos wanted to get Fant going and he had six first-half catches .
The modus operandi against Carolina should be about involving Jeudy .
Against the Chiefs , Jeudy played 49 snaps .
Not including the three negated by penalty , he lined up wide left ( 27 snaps ) , wide right ( 11 ) , bunch right ( 11 ) , bunch left ( two ) and tight right , tight left and slot left ( one apiece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in motion one time , which would have allowed him a free release at the snap and allowed Lock to get one final bit of information about the Chiefs ’ coverage on the play .
And putting him in a bunch formation could allow Jeudy to get free room to operate .
“ It makes sense to throw him the ball and we ’ re going to continue to do that , ” Shurmur said .
“ I think sometimes it comes in bunches.
” Said Lock : “ It ’ s how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s learning that right now .
As a receiver in this league , there are times when it ’ s tough to get the ball ( only ) every once in a while .
It ’ s about fighting through those games.
” A look at the top rookie receivers in the NFL this year in three statistical categories :

Lined up in a bunch formation to the right of quarterback Drew Lock on the Broncos’ third offensive play last week at Kansas City, Jerry Jeudy received a pick from fellow rookie receiver KJ Hamler to get away from cornerback Charvarius Ward.
Six yards into his “over” route, Jeudy, looking back at Lock, put his right hand in the air, the Universal Receiver Signal for, “I’m open. Throw it to me.”
Lock opted to look left to tight end Noah Fant instead of middle to Jeudy and it worked out — a 37-yard catch-and-run by Fant.
And so it went for Jeudy, who has only eight catches in the last four games and enters the season’s final stretch with only one game of more than 73 yards (125 in the loss at Atlanta).
Against the Chiefs, Jeudy’s first target came on a corner route with eight minutes left in the third quarter. His only catch (five-yard out route) was on the Broncos’ final drive.
Before the Broncos’ charter flight left Kansas City, Jeudy tweeted — and then deleted — a line about getting his “cardio” in, an understandable sign of frustration.
Entering Sunday’s game at Carolina, Jeudy has 38 catches for 594 yards and two touchdowns, totals that don’t lead the Broncos or the NFL’s other rookie receivers.
A focal point of the final four games should be allowing Jeudy to exit the season with a good vibe about himself, about the offense and about the future.
“I don’t think he’s hit the wall at all, I just think he’d like to have more catches and I don’t know of any receiver that doesn’t feel that way,” coach Vic Fangio said. “I don’t know what he said or didn’t say on Twitter, but I’m OK with Jerry. Jerry’s in a good spot.”
A prerogative for offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is to get Jeudy in better spots to help Lock.
Impact of Sutton’s loss
The Broncos’ Plan A entering the regular season: Courtland Sutton would be the No. 1 receiver and his two years of game tape would attract the opponent’s best cornerback and over-the-top safety help. In turn, that would allow Jeudy to equal parts work against a potentially less-talented player and do so in a 1-on-1 situation.
That plan was torpedoed in Week 2 at Pittsburgh when Sutton tore his ACL.
Suddenly, Jeudy got the occasional extra attention.
“I don’t know if that’s happened exclusively, but it’s happened some,” Fangio said.
That was clear against the Chiefs. On the Broncos’ first series, Jeudy lined up wide left and ran a go route down the sideline, trailed by a corner and eyed by a safety. Later in the first half, out of a bunch right formation, Jeudy appeared to be bracketed by a cornerback and linebacker.
The loss of Sutton impacted Lock the most and Jeudy was a close second — a reason why Jeudy trails other rookie receivers statistically. He can’t play off a veteran.
Jeudy is seventh among rookie receivers in catches, fifth in yards and tied for seventh in touchdowns. The top four in catches all have the benefit of a veteran teammate.
Justin Jefferson (Minnesota) leads with 61 catches for 1,039 yards playing opposite Adam Thielen.
CeeDee Lamb (Dallas) has 59 catches for 696 yards playing with Amari Cooper.
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati) has 53 catches for 729 yards playing with Tyler Boyd.
And Chase Claypool (Pittsburgh) has 47 catches for 649 yards playing with JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Even in Broncos’ history, the two previous first-round receivers didn’t have the defensive spotlight on them.
In 2002, Ashley Lelie had 35 catches for 525 yards and two touchdowns playing behind receivers Rod Smith (89 catches) and Ed McCaffrey (69) and also tight end Shannon Sharpe (61).
In 2010, Demaryius Thomas had 22 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns playing behind Brandon Lloyd (77 catches)
Translation: Rookie receivers often take time.
Because of his high-profile college career at Alabama and draft status (No. 15 overall), expectations were high for Jeudy — his numbers were expected to be similar to the Vikings’ Jefferson. But the going is often slow for young receivers who enter the NFL unaccustomed to learning the entire route tree and facing press coverage.
Sure, Jeudy has produced flashes that should make the Broncos optimistic. He had at least four catches in each of the first three games. He had a 48-yard touchdown against the New York Jets. And he has a team-high 17 “explosive” catches (gain of at least 16).
But Jeudy wants more. And the Broncos want more.
“You want a receiver that wants the ball,” Lock said. “You want a guy that wants it in his hands and wants to make plays. That’s what we like about Jerry. He wants the ball in any situation — the beginning of the game or crunch-time toward the end.”
Catches come in bunches
So how does Shurmur get Jeudy going, assuming his recent ankle injury isn’t limiting him?
“This year’s rookies really got cheated in terms of their development,” Shurmur said. “With regard to Jerry, he’s out there competing. There were probably a couple other times when he could have gotten the ball (last week).”
Against the Chiefs, the Broncos wanted to get Fant going and he had six first-half catches. The modus operandi against Carolina should be about involving Jeudy.
Against the Chiefs, Jeudy played 49 snaps. Not including the three negated by penalty, he lined up wide left (27 snaps), wide right (11), bunch right (11), bunch left (two) and tight right, tight left and slot left (one apiece).
Jeudy wasn’t used in motion one time, which would have allowed him a free release at the snap and allowed Lock to get one final bit of information about the Chiefs’ coverage on the play. And putting him in a bunch formation could allow Jeudy to get free room to operate.
“It makes sense to throw him the ball and we’re going to continue to do that,” Shurmur said. “I think sometimes it comes in bunches.”
Said Lock: “It’s how the game flows and I know he’s learning that right now. As a receiver in this league, there are times when it’s tough to get the ball (only) every once in a while. It’s about fighting through those games.”
Rookie receiver comparison
A look at the top rookie receivers in the NFL this year in three statistical categories:
Catches Justin Jefferson, Minnesota 61 CeeDee Lamb, Dallas 59 Tee Higgins, Cincinnati 53 Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh 47 Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 40 Darnell Mooney, Chicago 40 Jerry Jeudy, Broncos 38
Receiving yards Jefferson 1,039 Higgins 729 Lamb 696 Claypool 649 Jeudy 594


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--NHL journal: Avalanche will land in middle of NHL realignment

With financial issues stable between owners and players , the NHL ’ s most pressing matter is now temporary realignment — guaranteed to happen if the 2021 season unfolds .
The league wants an all-Canadian division to eliminate the need to cross borders , and the creation of three American divisions to limit travel within the U.S .
The Avalanche won ’ t have anything to lose , and just a little to gain , because it is the league ’ s only team continuously based in the Mountain Time Zone ( Arizona does not recognize Daylight Savings Time ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Central Division with six teams based in the Central Time Zone , are expected to be placed in the western-most American division , likely dubbed the Pacific , and geographically sit in the middle of that loop .
Pacific-time teams Las Vegas , Anaheim , Los Angeles and San Jose would be in that division , plus probably St. Louis and either Minnesota or Dallas in Central time , and Arizona .
So not much would change for Colorado — especially if its road games against Pacific teams start earlier than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings to begin the season , if not all of it , there is less emphasis on avoiding rush-hour traffic — because there won ’ t be any .
So an Avs game at Los Angeles , for example , could be a 7 p.m. MST start , and Colorado ’ s road games against the likes of Minnesota , Dallas or St. Louis would be the normal 6 p.m .
Discussions about moving up game times at Pacific-zone teams came about because Minnesota , Dallas and St. Louis each complained that too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too late for many of their fans .
Prospects .
The future of an NHL team is often defined by how many draftees are playing at the World Junior Championship .
The prestigious under-20 tournament is where future NHLers solidify their names to the most astute hockey folks .
And this year , the WJC at Rogers Place in Edmonton — the same bubble utilized by the NHL throughout the recent Stanley Cup playoffs — takes center stage , with the NHL idle when the tournament unfolds Dec. 25 to Jan. 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avalanche looks great at the WJC — with a combined four draftees competing for the United States or Canada , including an NHL-high three for the latter .
Defenseman Bo Byram and forward Alex Newhook , selected by the Avs with the No .
4 and No .
16 picks of the 2019 draft , were strong bets to make Canada ’ s prestigious 25-man roster , and they did when it was finalized Friday .
Defenseman Justin Barron , who was Colorado ’ s only 2020 first-round pick ( 25th overall ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise to those who didn ’ t follow the training camp regularly .
Newhook , a Boston College sophomore , is among just three NCAA players on the team .
The other 22 play major-junior or professionally .
Defenseman Drew Helleson will represent the Avalanche for Team USA .
Helleson , a 2019 second-round pick ( 47th overall ) , is a classmate with Newhook at BC .
Luddy .
David Ludwig , an NHL player-agent for Denver-based KO Sports Inc. , has been hired by Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations/salary cap compliance .
“ Luddy ” begins his new position Jan. 1 .
Ludwig is a California native who received his bachelor ’ s degree at the University of Colorado-Boulder and his law degree at the University of Denver .
He played club hockey at CU and DU .

With financial issues stable between owners and players, the NHL’s most pressing matter is now temporary realignment — guaranteed to happen if the 2021 season unfolds.
The league wants an all-Canadian division to eliminate the need to cross borders, and the creation of three American divisions to limit travel within the U.S.
The Avalanche won’t have anything to lose, and just a little to gain, because it is the league’s only team continuously based in the Mountain Time Zone (Arizona does not recognize Daylight Savings Time).
The Avs, who normally play in the Central Division with six teams based in the Central Time Zone, are expected to be placed in the western-most American division, likely dubbed the Pacific, and geographically sit in the middle of that loop.
Pacific-time teams Las Vegas, Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose would be in that division, plus probably St. Louis and either Minnesota or Dallas in Central time, and Arizona.
So not much would change for Colorado — especially if its road games against Pacific teams start earlier than before. With no fans allowed in buildings to begin the season, if not all of it, there is less emphasis on avoiding rush-hour traffic — because there won’t be any.
So an Avs game at Los Angeles, for example, could be a 7 p.m. MST start, and Colorado’s road games against the likes of Minnesota, Dallas or St. Louis would be the normal 6 p.m. Discussions about moving up game times at Pacific-zone teams came about because Minnesota, Dallas and St. Louis each complained that too many of their road games would begin too late for many of their fans.
Avs followers won’t have that problem.
Prospects. The future of an NHL team is often defined by how many draftees are playing at the World Junior Championship. The prestigious under-20 tournament is where future NHLers solidify their names to the most astute hockey folks.
And this year, the WJC at Rogers Place in Edmonton — the same bubble utilized by the NHL throughout the recent Stanley Cup playoffs — takes center stage, with the NHL idle when the tournament unfolds Dec. 25 to Jan. 5.
From a North American perspective, the Avalanche looks great at the WJC — with a combined four draftees competing for the United States or Canada, including an NHL-high three for the latter.
Defenseman Bo Byram and forward Alex Newhook, selected by the Avs with the No. 4 and No. 16 picks of the 2019 draft, were strong bets to make Canada’s prestigious 25-man roster, and they did when it was finalized Friday. Defenseman Justin Barron, who was Colorado’s only 2020 first-round pick (25th overall), also made the team in a surprise to those who didn’t follow the training camp regularly.
Newhook, a Boston College sophomore, is among just three NCAA players on the team. The other 22 play major-junior or professionally.
Defenseman Drew Helleson will represent the Avalanche for Team USA. Helleson, a 2019 second-round pick (47th overall), is a classmate with Newhook at BC.
Luddy. David Ludwig, an NHL player-agent for Denver-based KO Sports Inc., has been hired by Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong as the club’s director of hockey operations/salary cap compliance. “Luddy” begins his new position Jan. 1.
Ludwig is a California native who received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado-Boulder and his law degree at the University of Denver. He played club hockey at CU and DU.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--On Philanthropy: Don’t stand by this holiday season

We ’ re living ( and dying ) in a “ quadfecta ” of 1 ) A raging , unprecedented pandemic , 2 ) Economic inequality and hardship at the highest levels in memory , 3 ) Racial injustice permeating almost every aspect of American life and 4 ) Climate change eating away at our planet , and the lives it sustains .
Although we ’ re all experiencing the same storm , we ’ re not necessarily in the same boat .
Many of us live in abundance , while a growing number of our fellow community members live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , housing , equity , health and even companionship .
Some of our boats are safe , well stocked and seaworthy .
Others are being tossed about by the storm and leaking .
And now , the Holiday Season is upon us—traditionally a time of joy , goodwill and giving .
We have two choices when it comes to philanthropy , particularly now : Do nothing , or do what we can .
The term “ philanthropy ” is a combination of two ancient Greek words : “ philos ” meaning “ love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nourishing , developing and enhancing ; and “ anthropos ” meaning “ human being ” in the sense of our common humanity and interdependence .
Philanthropy is inherently optimistic , reflecting the deeply held belief that we can have a positive impact on the lives of others as well as on stubborn societal issues .
‘ Tis the season to take action Because of the pandemic , there won ’ t be the typical holiday parties , celebrations , gatherings , events or meals .
So , instead of being bystanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • Start with the money you would ’ ve spent on those holiday happenings and set it aside for giving .
• Ask your family members , friends and colleagues to spend the money they planned to spend on gifts for you to donate to a charity of your choice .
• Ask your spouse , partner , children or other relatives if there ’ s a charity or cause that they would like to support and share the experience of researching the options and donating with them .
• Instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and friends , give a charity gift card that you load with a cash amount that enables the recipient to donate to a charity of their choice .
• And , finally , examine your own ability to dig deep to support nonprofits – particularly smaller , local organizations on the front lines of the greatest needs of the day .
Nearly everyone has a story of times when they wish they had done more to help someone in need .
Here ’ s one of mine .
I was 21 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when I came upon a mob of people in a small fishing village .
In the middle of the crowd was a mentally disabled young man who was being taunted by the group .
They pushed him and threw stones at him .
Someone ran up and put a large paper bag over his head .
The crowd roared with laughter .
Someone else spun him around until he fell , dizzy and disoriented and the laughing and taunting went on .
The bag stayed on his head .
No one intervened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to his defense .
Yet , I knew that if I did , as the only westerner within miles , I would have been the next person in the center of the mob .
So , I turned around and walked away .
I did nothing .
It took me decades before I felt comfortable sharing this experience with others .
We are all bystanders when , living our busy lives and facing our own challenges , we witness societal problems and fail to act .
We are all bystanders when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living beings and our planet and accept their predicament as “ just the way things are.
” Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us , “ We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today .
We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now .
In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being ‘ too late.
’ … This is no time for apathy or complacency .
This is a time for vigorous and positive action.
” With the holidays upon us , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll take positive action and be a philanthropist to the extent you are able .
Happy and healthy holidays to you !
Bruce DeBoskey , J.D.
, is a philanthropic strategist working across the United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families , businesses , foundations and family offices design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans .
He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy .
Visit deboskeygroup.com .

We’re living (and dying) in a “quadfecta” of 1) A raging, unprecedented pandemic, 2) Economic inequality and hardship at the highest levels in memory, 3) Racial injustice permeating almost every aspect of American life and 4) Climate change eating away at our planet, and the lives it sustains.
Although we’re all experiencing the same storm, we’re not necessarily in the same boat. Many of us live in abundance, while a growing number of our fellow community members live with a scarcity of funds, employment, housing, equity, health and even companionship. Some of our boats are safe, well stocked and seaworthy. Others are being tossed about by the storm and leaking.
And now, the Holiday Season is upon us—traditionally a time of joy, goodwill and giving.
We have two choices when it comes to philanthropy, particularly now: Do nothing, or do what we can.
The term “philanthropy” is a combination of two ancient Greek words: “philos” meaning “love” in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing and enhancing; and “anthropos” meaning “human being” in the sense of our common humanity and interdependence. Philanthropy is inherently optimistic, reflecting the deeply held belief that we can have a positive impact on the lives of others as well as on stubborn societal issues.
‘Tis the season to take action
Because of the pandemic, there won’t be the typical holiday parties, celebrations, gatherings, events or meals. So, instead of being bystanders, here are some things we can do:
Start with the money you would’ve spent on those holiday happenings and set it aside for giving.
Ask your family members, friends and colleagues to spend the money they planned to spend on gifts for you to donate to a charity of your choice.
Ask your spouse, partner, children or other relatives if there’s a charity or cause that they would like to support and share the experience of researching the options and donating with them.
Instead of buying more “stuff” for your family and friends, give a charity gift card that you load with a cash amount that enables the recipient to donate to a charity of their choice.
And, finally, examine your own ability to dig deep to support nonprofits – particularly smaller, local organizations on the front lines of the greatest needs of the day.
Nearly everyone has a story of times when they wish they had done more to help someone in need. Here’s one of mine.
I was 21 years old, traveling alone in southern Turkey, when I came upon a mob of people in a small fishing village. In the middle of the crowd was a mentally disabled young man who was being taunted by the group. They pushed him and threw stones at him. Someone ran up and put a large paper bag over his head. The crowd roared with laughter. Someone else spun him around until he fell, dizzy and disoriented and the laughing and taunting went on. The bag stayed on his head. No one intervened.
I wanted more than anything to come to his defense. Yet, I knew that if I did, as the only westerner within miles, I would have been the next person in the center of the mob. So, I turned around and walked away. I did nothing. It took me decades before I felt comfortable sharing this experience with others.
We are all bystanders when, living our busy lives and facing our own challenges, we witness societal problems and fail to act. We are all bystanders when we lose sight of our connections with other living beings and our planet and accept their predicament as “just the way things are.”
Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being ‘too late.’ … This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
With the holidays upon us, and so many in need, I hope you’ll take positive action and be a philanthropist to the extent you are able. Happy and healthy holidays to you!
Bruce DeBoskey, J.D., is a philanthropic strategist working across the United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families, businesses, foundations and family offices design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans. He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy. Visit deboskeygroup.com.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--Nuggets Journal: Why Denver’s backcourt is bursting with possibilities

Nuggets coach Michael Malone must have a thing for musical chairs .
Or Bubba Gump Shrimp .
Given the surplus of guards that dot the roster less than two weeks before opening night , it ’ s clear Malone plans to contend in a far less traditional way .
“ It ’ s kind of like Bubba Gump Shrimp , ” Malone joked during the first week of training camp .
“ We have lots of different types of shrimp .
We have lot of types of guards .
We can be ultra-creative.
” As this fan-less , condensed 72-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Saturday night ’ s preseason opener and officially tipping Dec. 23 – the Nuggets are carrying at least seven players who can initiate offense .
And outside of incumbent Jamal Murray and super-sub Monte Morris , there ’ s hardly a defined pecking order .
A quick snapshot : Seventh-year vet Gary Harris is fighting for his starting job .
Will Barton is rehabbing a nagging knee injury .
Argentinian wizard Facundo Campazzo expects to play after leaving Real Madrid in the prime of his career .
PJ Dozier , the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riding the momentum of his “ Bubble ” performance .
Rookie R.J. Hampton is eager to inject his rare brand of athleticism into a backcourt that lacked bounce last season .
And that doesn ’ t even account for two-way guard Markus Howard , who led the NCAA in scoring last season .
“ We ’ re on one team , but at the end of the day , we all want that spot , ” Dozier said .
Outside of Howard ( unless his eye-popping 3-point percentage translates immediately to the NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing .
That ’ s why this backcourt dance is going to test Malone , not only in his patience for playing smaller guards like Morris and Campazzo together , but in his creativity .
The idea of a three-guard lineup has been floated , if not suggested , by multiple people , including Malone himself .
No , this won ’ t be the devastating combination Oklahoma City used last season , employing Chris Paul , Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder into one of the most lethal lineups in the NBA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( It should be noted , New Orleans played nearly 400 minutes last season with the Jrue Holiday-Lonzo Ball-J.J. Redick triumvirate together , though it wasn ’ t nearly as dangerous ) .
So what are we talking here ?
The Nuggets have tinkered with lineups featuring Morris , Campazzo and Dozier all sharing the court at the same time .
That ’ s three ball-handlers who know the plays , spread the floor and can initiate offense for others .
“ Numerous guys who can handle the ball and beat guys off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s the new , modern-day NBA.
” The key , Dozier said , is knowing the responsibilities of the different positions .
“ We all try to be interchangeable in those positions , ” he added .
Offensively , that should work and has the potential to scramble opposing second units .
What ’ s more intriguing , once you start considering the variables , are lineups featuring Barton and Hampton .
If you include Dozier , that ’ s three players that can capably play the one , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing a rookie ) .
The possibilities of how Malone could scheme are almost endless .
And yet as anyone who ’ s watched Denver ’ s fiery head coach closely over the last few years can attest , if a player doesn ’ t bring it on defense , he ’ s as useful as a tattered facemask .
Therefore , defense is probably the limiting factor in who Malone trusts with his precious backcourt minutes .
Put Dozier in pole position .
Malone raved about his work against Utah ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubled-down on his praise when he deemed him the early MVP of training camp .
“ PJ Dozier ’ s been phenomenal , ” Malone said .
“ People forget how big he is and how versatile he is.
” Beyond that , the backcourt puzzle is anyone ’ s guess .
Consider it open season at Bubba Gump .

Nuggets coach Michael Malone must have a thing for musical chairs. Or Bubba Gump Shrimp.
Given the surplus of guards that dot the roster less than two weeks before opening night, it’s clear Malone plans to contend in a far less traditional way.
“It’s kind of like Bubba Gump Shrimp,” Malone joked during the first week of training camp. “We have lots of different types of shrimp. We have lot of types of guards. We can be ultra-creative.”
As this fan-less, condensed 72-game season rages toward its start – beginning with Saturday night’s preseason opener and officially tipping Dec. 23 – the Nuggets are carrying at least seven players who can initiate offense. And outside of incumbent Jamal Murray and super-sub Monte Morris, there’s hardly a defined pecking order.
A quick snapshot: Seventh-year vet Gary Harris is fighting for his starting job. Will Barton is rehabbing a nagging knee injury. Argentinian wizard Facundo Campazzo expects to play after leaving Real Madrid in the prime of his career. PJ Dozier, the early training camp MVP per Malone, is riding the momentum of his “Bubble” performance. Rookie R.J. Hampton is eager to inject his rare brand of athleticism into a backcourt that lacked bounce last season. And that doesn’t even account for two-way guard Markus Howard, who led the NCAA in scoring last season.
“We’re on one team, but at the end of the day, we all want that spot,” Dozier said.
Outside of Howard (unless his eye-popping 3-point percentage translates immediately to the NBA), all have some justification in playing. That’s why this backcourt dance is going to test Malone, not only in his patience for playing smaller guards like Morris and Campazzo together, but in his creativity.
The idea of a three-guard lineup has been floated, if not suggested, by multiple people, including Malone himself. No, this won’t be the devastating combination Oklahoma City used last season, employing Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder into one of the most lethal lineups in the NBA, but it might still be effective. (It should be noted, New Orleans played nearly 400 minutes last season with the Jrue Holiday-Lonzo Ball-J.J. Redick triumvirate together, though it wasn’t nearly as dangerous).
So what are we talking here?
The Nuggets have tinkered with lineups featuring Morris, Campazzo and Dozier all sharing the court at the same time. That’s three ball-handlers who know the plays, spread the floor and can initiate offense for others.
“Numerous guys who can handle the ball and beat guys off the bounce,” Morris said. “That’s the new, modern-day NBA.”
The key, Dozier said, is knowing the responsibilities of the different positions.
“We all try to be interchangeable in those positions,” he added.
Offensively, that should work and has the potential to scramble opposing second units. What’s more intriguing, once you start considering the variables, are lineups featuring Barton and Hampton. If you include Dozier, that’s three players that can capably play the one, two or three (assuming Malone can stomach playing a rookie). The possibilities of how Malone could scheme are almost endless.
And yet as anyone who’s watched Denver’s fiery head coach closely over the last few years can attest, if a player doesn’t bring it on defense, he’s as useful as a tattered facemask. Therefore, defense is probably the limiting factor in who Malone trusts with his precious backcourt minutes.
Put Dozier in pole position. Malone raved about his work against Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson, then doubled-down on his praise when he deemed him the early MVP of training camp.
“PJ Dozier’s been phenomenal,” Malone said. “People forget how big he is and how versatile he is.”
Beyond that, the backcourt puzzle is anyone’s guess. Consider it open season at Bubba Gump.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--Inflation does about-face in metro Denver as rent and transportation costs fall

Falling rents and lower transportation costs are pushing the region ’ s inflation rate toward its slowest pace since the Great Recession , but consumers still aren ’ t getting much relief when it comes to the cost of meat and dairy , according to the latest Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index .
The cost of a basket of local consumer goods declined 0.7 % between September and November , pushing down the region ’ s annual rate of inflation to 0.3 % , which is a quarter of the U.S. annual inflation rate of 1.2 % , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation was running a hot 3.8 % in metro Denver in January and despite activity coming to a screeching halt because of the pandemic , held at an elevated 3.1 % pace in July , three times the national rate .
That is no longer the case .
Falling costs for transportation , especially gasoline , and lower rents appear to have reversed that .
Private transportation costs were down 4.9 % of the year , aided by a 3 % decline in new car prices .
Used car prices , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 12 months as cash-strapped consumers seek lower-cost options .
Gasoline prices , which can be highly volatile , are down 8.6 % the past two months and 24.1 % over the past 12 months .
Vehicle insurance costs are flat , even though people are driving less , but after years of big gains in insurance premiums , even flat helps .
Housing represents the largest cost item in most household budgets and it is the biggest category in the CPI .
The cost of shelter is down 2.9 % since September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 months , and electricity costs are down 0.5 % over the year .
The cost to furnish a place , however , is up 6.5 % .
Colorado consumers still aren ’ t getting a break on food prices , which are up 3.9 % .
The cost of eating at home , something people are doing more of this year , is up 2.6 % the past year , despite a 3.9 % decline in cereals and baked products , a 3.5 % decline in nonalcoholic beverages , and a minimal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Basically , it is costing Denver consumers a lot more to eat something that comes from an animal .
The cost of meat , poultry , fish and eggs have skyrocketed 10.2 % the past year , while dairy products are up 5.7 % .
And it is costing 5.4 % more to eat out this year than last .
Because they have limited capacity , restaurants appear not to be following the path taken by another hard-hit sector , hotels , which have lowered rates to drum up business .
Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tuition costs are up 1.2 % , even though many students are complaining that a virtual class shouldn ’ t cost as much as one conducted in-person .
Clothing costs are down 1.5 % on the year , while alcohol beverages are up 1.6 % .

Falling rents and lower transportation costs are pushing the region’s inflation rate toward its slowest pace since the Great Recession, but consumers still aren’t getting much relief when it comes to the cost of meat and dairy, according to the latest Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index.
The cost of a basket of local consumer goods declined 0.7% between September and November, pushing down the region’s annual rate of inflation to 0.3%, which is a quarter of the U.S. annual inflation rate of 1.2%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Annual inflation was running a hot 3.8% in metro Denver in January and despite activity coming to a screeching halt because of the pandemic, held at an elevated 3.1% pace in July, three times the national rate.
That is no longer the case. Falling costs for transportation, especially gasoline, and lower rents appear to have reversed that.
Private transportation costs were down 4.9% of the year, aided by a 3% decline in new car prices. Used car prices, however, have shot up 10.5% in the past 12 months as cash-strapped consumers seek lower-cost options.
Gasoline prices, which can be highly volatile, are down 8.6% the past two months and 24.1% over the past 12 months. Vehicle insurance costs are flat, even though people are driving less, but after years of big gains in insurance premiums, even flat helps.
Housing represents the largest cost item in most household budgets and it is the biggest category in the CPI. The cost of shelter is down 2.9% since September and down 0.9% over the past 12 months, and electricity costs are down 0.5% over the year. The cost to furnish a place, however, is up 6.5%.
Colorado consumers still aren’t getting a break on food prices, which are up 3.9%. The cost of eating at home, something people are doing more of this year, is up 2.6% the past year, despite a 3.9% decline in cereals and baked products, a 3.5% decline in nonalcoholic beverages, and a minimal 0.5% rise in fruits and vegetables.
Basically, it is costing Denver consumers a lot more to eat something that comes from an animal. The cost of meat, poultry, fish and eggs have skyrocketed 10.2% the past year, while dairy products are up 5.7%.
And it is costing 5.4% more to eat out this year than last. Because they have limited capacity, restaurants appear not to be following the path taken by another hard-hit sector, hotels, which have lowered rates to drum up business.
Medical care costs are up 1.4%, and tuition costs are up 1.2%, even though many students are complaining that a virtual class shouldn’t cost as much as one conducted in-person.
Clothing costs are down 1.5% on the year, while alcohol beverages are up 1.6%.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--Post Premium: Top stories for the week of Dec. 7-13, 2020

In 2016 , Eric Holtze and his sister Sarah Treadway took over the family business .
Their father , Steve Holtze , purchased the American National Building on 17th Street in 1993 , converting it into the Magnolia Hotel Denver .
That hotel served as a model for five other boutique urban hotels .
At the start of the year , the Magnolia hotels were running 75 % full and operating ahead of budget .
By April , occupancy was down to 10 % .
Staffing was cut deeply and managers were asked to take on day-to-day chores .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds , Holtze was folding laundry and the general manager was running the front desk .
“ Everyone was doing what we could to take care of the few guests we had , ” Treadway said .
“ We feel blessed because our team of people is so loyal and so dedicated .
People were willing to jump in and work in every department.
” Loans under the Paycheck Protection Program provided relief this summer .
By October , occupancy had crawled back above 40 % , raising hopes the worst was behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gripped the country , forcing tighter restrictions on the wedding receptions , business gatherings and other events that the Magnolia relies on .
Metro Denver hotels on average were only filling one out of three rooms on Dec. 5 , which is down from an occupancy rate of 62.1 % a year ago , according to STR , which tracks hotel statistics .
The average rate hotels made per room rented was $ 76.89 a night versus $ 116.17 a year ago , which represents a decline of 34 % .
In today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Aldo Svaldi look at how months of empty rooms and discounted rates are catching up with hotel owners in Denver and across the country .
Some Denver area hotels dim the lights and wait for the creditors to come knocking as workers relying on unemployment , savings , hope with industry facing long road back from COVID Five don ’ t-miss stories from last week First COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in Colorado within days , but picture beyond initial shipments is cloudy With the first Coloradans due to be inoculated against COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prepare for one of the largest mass-vaccination campaigns in history — a national effort unfolding so rapidly Colorado officials still don ’ t know how many doses they ’ ll receive beyond the next two weeks .
Read More… Six free , socially distanced , in-person Christmas wonderlands to check out in Denver this month The pandemic may have put a damper in some classic holiday activities , but if you know where to look , there is a ton of Christmas cheer to be had — all outdoors , socially distanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level Red COVID-19 regulations .
Read More… The Denver Police Department ’ s response to massive racial justice protests in late May and early June was beset with poor communication , multiple examples of excessive force , and inadequate record-keeping that made it difficult for police leaders to evaluate decision-making , an investigation by the city ’ s independent monitor found .
Read More… Kiszla : Football eats its heroes .
Linebacker Nate Landman suffers nasty injury as Colorado knocked from ranks of undefeated .
On a snowy December morning not fit for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no answer for Utah , which scored 28 unanswered points to trounce Colorado , 38-21 .
But what hurts worse is how this dream season ended for Landman , a senior linebacker who has gladly bled in the fight to restore CU football glory .
Read More… Tattered Cover sold to local investment group , making it the U.S. ’ largest black-owned bookstore After 49 years of private ownership , the Tattered Cover , Colorado ’ s largest and most prominent book store chain , has been sold to local investors after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More… See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .

In 2016, Eric Holtze and his sister Sarah Treadway took over the family business. Their father, Steve Holtze, purchased the American National Building on 17th Street in 1993, converting it into the Magnolia Hotel Denver. That hotel served as a model for five other boutique urban hotels.
At the start of the year, the Magnolia hotels were running 75% full and operating ahead of budget. By April, occupancy was down to 10%. Staffing was cut deeply and managers were asked to take on day-to-day chores. For a brief period, Treadway was making beds, Holtze was folding laundry and the general manager was running the front desk.
“Everyone was doing what we could to take care of the few guests we had,” Treadway said. “We feel blessed because our team of people is so loyal and so dedicated. People were willing to jump in and work in every department.”
Loans under the Paycheck Protection Program provided relief this summer. By October, occupancy had crawled back above 40%, raising hopes the worst was behind. And then another surge of cases gripped the country, forcing tighter restrictions on the wedding receptions, business gatherings and other events that the Magnolia relies on.
Metro Denver hotels on average were only filling one out of three rooms on Dec. 5, which is down from an occupancy rate of 62.1% a year ago, according to STR, which tracks hotel statistics. The average rate hotels made per room rented was $76.89 a night versus $116.17 a year ago, which represents a decline of 34%.
In today’s Post, reporters Joe Rubino and Aldo Svaldi look at how months of empty rooms and discounted rates are catching up with hotel owners in Denver and across the country.
Five don’t-miss stories from last week
With the first Coloradans due to be inoculated against COVID-19 next week, state leaders are scrambling to prepare for one of the largest mass-vaccination campaigns in history — a national effort unfolding so rapidly Colorado officials still don’t know how many doses they’ll receive beyond the next two weeks. Read More…
The pandemic may have put a damper in some classic holiday activities, but if you know where to look, there is a ton of Christmas cheer to be had — all outdoors, socially distanced and abiding by Denver’s current Level Red COVID-19 regulations. Read More…
The Denver Police Department’s response to massive racial justice protests in late May and early June was beset with poor communication, multiple examples of excessive force, and inadequate record-keeping that made it difficult for police leaders to evaluate decision-making, an investigation by the city’s independent monitor found. Read More…
On a snowy December morning not fit for man nor Buffs, the home team had no answer for Utah, which scored 28 unanswered points to trounce Colorado, 38-21. But what hurts worse is how this dream season ended for Landman, a senior linebacker who has gladly bled in the fight to restore CU football glory. Read More…
After 49 years of private ownership, the Tattered Cover, Colorado’s largest and most prominent book store chain, has been sold to local investors after its rockiest year in memory. Read More…
Photo(s) of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--Judges who misbehave in Colorado are largely shielded from public scrutiny

The former Weld County District Court judge who was censured by the Colorado Supreme Court last week is just the fourth judge in the state to receive public discipline in the last decade — highlighting the largely secret process used to correct judges who violate ethical or professional rules .
Colorado shields judges accused of misconduct in the vast majority of cases , and its discipline process offers judges more privacy than in 35 other states , according to the National Center for State Courts .
Because of the state ’ s constitution , the public is barred from knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the most egregious cases , or in cases in which the misconduct becomes public apart from the confidential proceedings .
Colorado judges were disciplined privately 51 times between 2010 and 2019 for offenses ranging from failing to issue timely rulings to having a sexual relationship with a member of the court staff , according to annual reports from the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline .
Critics say the secrecy undermines public confidence in the state ’ s judges and allows judges to escape public scrutiny for their missteps , while proponents argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and encourages genuine and honest participation in the discipline process .
“ We need to be able to trust that judges are maintaining the highest level of professionalism in their job duties , ” said Chris Forsyth , executive director of The Judicial Integrity Project , a Colorado group focused on reforming judicial discipline .
“ The lack of transparency undermines that.
” But William Campbell , executive director of the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline , said he felt confidentiality is “ defensible and necessary.
” “ If it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more willing to complain to us and have us look at it , and judges are more likely to be thoughtful in their response , rather than thinking they ’ ve got to have a good quote for the newspaper , ” he said .
Discipline for the nearly 400 judges and justices who sit on county and district courts , Denver ’ s juvenile and probate courts , the Colorado Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court is all handled through the commission , which consists of a volunteer board led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The commission takes in close to 200 complaints a year , and Campbell dismisses about 90 % of them as soon as they are received for procedural reasons , like the issue not falling under the commission ’ s jurisdiction or the complaint being a matter of law that should be handled in an appeals court , rather than by the disciplinary commission .
The remaining 10 % of complaints are reviewed by the volunteer board , which decides whether to discipline the judge , and whether to do it privately or publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informal proceedings ” that often result in a private admonition , reprimand or censure .
The details of discipline usually become public only if the commission moves a case into “ formal proceedings , ” and even then only are made public at the very end of the process , when the commission makes a recommendation to the state Supreme Court on what discipline is warranted .
The secret discipline process stands in stark contrast with the court system as a whole , which was built on public proceedings , said Paul Chessin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more transparency in the attorney discipline process .
“ There is a long tradition that judicial proceedings are public , because that instills the public ’ s confidence and trust that the system is working , ” he said .
“ Proceedings in secret do the opposite .
Then , there is a perception that the actions taken are arbitrary or capricious or perhaps could be playing favorites.
” Colorado is one of just 12 states where the process is confidential until a recommendation for public discipline is filed , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most states , the allegations against judges become public when formal charges are filed or once a judge has had a chance to respond to formal charges .
“ Colorado is in the more anti-transparency , privacy-protection rank , ” said Russell Wheeler , a visiting fellow with the Brookings Institution and former president of the Federal Judicial Center .
He said the discipline process must walk a line between protecting the reputation of judges and the court system from baseless accusations and bringing legitimate misconduct to light .
Most judicial disciplinary bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of false or frivolous complaints , he said .
“ Judges have to accept the fact that when they accept the judicial office , they ’ re going to be expected to have the public know about their lives in a way that non-judges don ’ t , but you don ’ t want to make the transparency so transparent that it scares away people who would otherwise be willing to serve , ” he said .
Although most complaints are dismissed in Colorado for procedural reasons , there ’ s no way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forsyth said .
He ’ d like to see the process be open to inspection from the initial request for investigation .
He pointed to Ryan Kamada , the ex-judge in Weld County who on Monday was publicly censured for tipping his friend off to a drug investigation and making inappropriate comments about people in his courtroom .
“ Now we are hearing litigants who said they complained about this guy , ” he said .
“ Were there complaints filed with the Judicial Discipline Commission before all this happened ?
… We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the three other judges who have been publicly disciplined since 2010 are Laurie Booras , who called another judge “ the little Mexican , ” Robert Rand , who made misogynistic and inappropriate comments , and Lance Timbreza , who was charged with driving under the influence .
While Campbell defended the confidential system , he said the office has increased its transparency since he took charge 11 years ago .
The commission created a website to reach a wider audience , and began giving a summary of discipline cases without identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ We try to take something that is required to be done in private , and as much as we can , disclose what is going on , ” he said .

The former Weld County District Court judge who was censured by the Colorado Supreme Court last week is just the fourth judge in the state to receive public discipline in the last decade — highlighting the largely secret process used to correct judges who violate ethical or professional rules.
Colorado shields judges accused of misconduct in the vast majority of cases, and its discipline process offers judges more privacy than in 35 other states, according to the National Center for State Courts.
Because of the state’s constitution, the public is barred from knowing which judges committed what offenses except for in the most egregious cases, or in cases in which the misconduct becomes public apart from the confidential proceedings.
Colorado judges were disciplined privately 51 times between 2010 and 2019 for offenses ranging from failing to issue timely rulings to having a sexual relationship with a member of the court staff, according to annual reports from the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline.
Critics say the secrecy undermines public confidence in the state’s judges and allows judges to escape public scrutiny for their missteps, while proponents argue the confidentiality protects judges from false accusations and encourages genuine and honest participation in the discipline process.
“We need to be able to trust that judges are maintaining the highest level of professionalism in their job duties,” said Chris Forsyth, executive director of The Judicial Integrity Project, a Colorado group focused on reforming judicial discipline. “The lack of transparency undermines that.”
But William Campbell, executive director of the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, said he felt confidentiality is “defensible and necessary.”
“If it’s not done in a spotlight, people are more willing to complain to us and have us look at it, and judges are more likely to be thoughtful in their response, rather than thinking they’ve got to have a good quote for the newspaper,” he said.
Discipline for the nearly 400 judges and justices who sit on county and district courts, Denver’s juvenile and probate courts, the Colorado Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court is all handled through the commission, which consists of a volunteer board led by Campbell, who is paid.
The commission takes in close to 200 complaints a year, and Campbell dismisses about 90% of them as soon as they are received for procedural reasons, like the issue not falling under the commission’s jurisdiction or the complaint being a matter of law that should be handled in an appeals court, rather than by the disciplinary commission.
The remaining 10% of complaints are reviewed by the volunteer board, which decides whether to discipline the judge, and whether to do it privately or publicly. Most judges are disciplined through “informal proceedings” that often result in a private admonition, reprimand or censure.
The details of discipline usually become public only if the commission moves a case into “formal proceedings,” and even then only are made public at the very end of the process, when the commission makes a recommendation to the state Supreme Court on what discipline is warranted.
The secret discipline process stands in stark contrast with the court system as a whole, which was built on public proceedings, said Paul Chessin, an attorney who has argued for more transparency in the attorney discipline process.
“There is a long tradition that judicial proceedings are public, because that instills the public’s confidence and trust that the system is working,” he said. “Proceedings in secret do the opposite. Then, there is a perception that the actions taken are arbitrary or capricious or perhaps could be playing favorites.”
Colorado is one of just 12 states where the process is confidential until a recommendation for public discipline is filed, according to the National Center for State Courts. In most states, the allegations against judges become public when formal charges are filed or once a judge has had a chance to respond to formal charges.
“Colorado is in the more anti-transparency, privacy-protection rank,” said Russell Wheeler, a visiting fellow with the Brookings Institution and former president of the Federal Judicial Center.
He said the discipline process must walk a line between protecting the reputation of judges and the court system from baseless accusations and bringing legitimate misconduct to light. Most judicial disciplinary bodies in the U.S. receive a high number of false or frivolous complaints, he said.
“Judges have to accept the fact that when they accept the judicial office, they’re going to be expected to have the public know about their lives in a way that non-judges don’t, but you don’t want to make the transparency so transparent that it scares away people who would otherwise be willing to serve,” he said.
Although most complaints are dismissed in Colorado for procedural reasons, there’s no way for the public to check that, Forsyth said. He’d like to see the process be open to inspection from the initial request for investigation. He pointed to Ryan Kamada, the ex-judge in Weld County who on Monday was publicly censured for tipping his friend off to a drug investigation and making inappropriate comments about people in his courtroom.
“Now we are hearing litigants who said they complained about this guy,” he said. “Were there complaints filed with the Judicial Discipline Commission before all this happened? … We don’t know.”
Besides Kamada, the three other judges who have been publicly disciplined since 2010 are Laurie Booras, who called another judge “the little Mexican,” Robert Rand, who made misogynistic and inappropriate comments, and Lance Timbreza, who was charged with driving under the influence.
While Campbell defended the confidential system, he said the office has increased its transparency since he took charge 11 years ago. The commission created a website to reach a wider audience, and began giving a summary of discipline cases without identifying the judges involved in its annual reports, he said.
“We try to take something that is required to be done in private, and as much as we can, disclose what is going on,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-12-13--Small businesses are fighting Colorado’s COVID-19 restrictions, with mixed results

On a Saturday night in late November , Larimer County Commissioner Steve Johnson penned an email to various colleagues and local leaders about his experience dining outdoors in downtown Loveland , huddled , he wrote , with others around a propane heater in 38-degree weather .
“ We should be ashamed of ourselves .
I am .
I ’ m ashamed to show my face as a government representative in these businesses , ” Johnson wrote .
He added , at the end of the note , “ What we are doing is wrong , bad policy and making matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and changed.
” Johnson , a Republican , is among many primarily conservative officials who , along with business owners of various political stripes , is outspoken in opposition to the disproportionate harm the state ’ s county-level COVID-19 restrictions have on independently operated restaurants and bars that , in Larimer County and about half the counties in the state , have been forced to halt all indoor service .
In the absence of massive stimulus aid — something the state simply can not afford to provide — thousands of these operators in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close in January , or soon after that .
Not willing to wait to find out , about 100 Loveland businesses banded together after it was announced late last month that Larimer County would be bumped up to Level Red on the state ’ s COVID-19 restriction dial , and vowed not to comply .
They issued a press release that concluded , “ Therefore be it resolved : We , the undersigned business owners will remain open for business under the yellow guidelines ” — Level Yellow is two notches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the public health and the economic livelihood of the community.
” Their local effort has highlighted how difficult it is to reconcile two priorities — reducing virus transmission and limiting economic ruin — that , as the state sees it , are largely irreconcilable .
Inspired by a pilot program in Mesa County , others , including Larimer County , are now asking the state to OK loosened restrictions for businesses that meet certain safety criteria .
Non-compliance with regulations in Larimer County and beyond also has raised questions about fairness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 restrictions .
Many who ’ ve resisted the state ’ s rules haven ’ t paid any price for that , leaving some business owners doubtful about how seriously the state takes its own rules and putting those businesses that all along have played by the rules at a competitive disadvantage .
“ The goal is voluntary compliance , ” said Meghan Tanis , spokeswoman for the Department of Revenue , which is one of several agencies tasked with enforcing COVID-19 rules .
“ We don ’ t want to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tanis added , “ Some licensees are essentially telling us they have no plan to comply.
” The Loveland group is in compliance now , after its initial resistance .
Because it ’ s hoping to convince the state to relax restrictions , it ’ s playing nice for the time being .
But this group is not alone in resisting restrictions at one point or another .
Morgen Harrington , co-owner of the Grimm Brothers Brewhouse in Loveland and a leader of the small-business coalition , said she is contacted all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in variances from state-ordered COVID-19 restrictions .
Mesa County is the state ’ s guinea pig for a variance program , and many others want in .
“ I ’ m not built for this whole type of movement , ” Harrington said .
“ We ’ re just grassroots , and we don ’ t know what we ’ re doing in terms of politics .
We don ’ t want this to be an issue driven by political sides.
” Her local coalition , she stressed , should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-right ideology of some prominent protesters of state restrictions , including Weld County ’ s commissioners and GOP state lawmakers who ’ ve called for “ civil disobedience.
” Their fight , Harrington added , is an existential one .
“ We were having to shut down again , with greater restrictions than big-box companies were allowed to operate with , ” she said .
“ Just shutting down small businesses is not going to curb this pandemic enough , or stop the spread of the virus , but it will permanently shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Dr. Anthony Fauci , have been clear that indoor drinking and dining poses a particularly high risk for virus transmission .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in September that people who ’ d dined at a restaurant were twice as likely to have contracted the coronavirus .
The issue , scientists explain , is that prolonged indoor interaction — even among groups spaced six feet apart — creates ideal conditions for the spread of this airborne virus .
Speaking to reporters on Friday , Gov .
Jared Polis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can ’ t be in bars .
“ The normal way we socialize would lead to tragic levels of loss of life .
Double , triple , quadruple ( an existing death toll ) that is enough to mourn , ” he said .
Fauci , addressing the Colorado press corps last week , stated , “ Close the bars , open the schools.
” Julie Shaffer , owner of A.K.A .
Kitchen in Loveland and a member of the coalition , was reminded Friday of how inconvenient the scientific consensus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees .
It was snowing outside , and as of mid-morning , she said , the restaurant ’ s total profit for the day was about $ 70 .
Meanwhile , she said , four employees were on hand .
Their wages , she said , “ are coming out of my pocket right now .
We ’ re losing money every single day.
” Before the coalition formed , Shaffer refused to be among the businesses in open defiance of regulations .
She said she genuinely wanted to be in compliance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t want to be that restaurant that people view as not caring ” about public health , she said .
Shaffer watched as other businesses broke the rules and did not face enforcement — something Polis has threatened at various points .
Harrington said that of 98 businesses on her group ’ s list , she knows of only three — hers included — that have even been contacted by investigators recently .
None lost their licenses .
She thinks it ’ s no mistake that she , a vocal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the state .
“ It felt more like , ‘ We are going to shush those of you who are going to make a stink publicly , ' ” she said .
There ’ s little evidence to suggest that rule breakers should necessarily expect to pay a price for defying COVID regulations .
The Department of Revenue , which handles liquor licensing , reported Thursday it had suspended just five licenses during the pandemic — many times that number said they would defy the rules in Loveland alone — and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there have been very few liquor license suspensions handed down by local governments during the pandemic .
Liquor license suspension is just one form of enforcement that can be brought against a non-compliant business , but the state reports relatively little punishment handed down , and it seems to defer mostly to the judgment of local agencies .
A spokeswoman with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , for example , told The Denver Post that the department had issued one suspension during the pandemic , and sent six cease-and-desist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspensions by local governments , though those do happen on occasion .
This week saw local suspension action at the Lyons Den Restaurant and Taphouse and at Denver ’ s iconic Sam ’ s No .
3 diner , which faced enforcement from city health officials who said the diner wasn ’ t ensuring proper airflow .
Denver reported 249 documented violations of COVID-19 restrictions since May , with 21 leading to suspensions of businesses that have mostly been allowed to reopen .
That the vast majority of those 249 did not at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking the rules usually won ’ t lead to strong punishment .
Among the 228 violations that didn ’ t lead to suspension are a gym where all patrons were observed breaking the mask rule and a strip club where dancers and patrons were found making physical contact .
Many of the violators correct the behavior quickly , but others do not , and that ’ s one cause for concerns about fairness .
“ That ’ s a pretty hot topic , ” said Tanis , with the Department of Revenue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gotten from business owners .
“ If one bar is closing down , they want to ensure the rest of the industry is playing on this field.
” Said Johnson , the Larimer County commissioner , “ We have heard from those businesses that are following the rules .
They do say it ’ s not fair .
And that ’ s correct .
… It is not fair to have some people operating illegally and some people operating legally .
The whole premise of our free enterprise system is a level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of local officials , plus dozens of local businesses , backing a proposed new program for Larimer County called Level Up , which would loosen restrictions on some of the businesses hit hardest by Level Red curbs .
Under this proposal , restaurants that are currently banned from hosting customers indoors would be able to apply to have 25 % capacity indoors .
Other changes would include a slight capacity bump — from 10 % to 25 % — for gyms .
County delegates met with state officials this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far no green light .
“ I don ’ t need an atta boy from the governor ’ s office , ” Harrington said .
“ I need action and assurance that we are on a pathway to reopen our business in a timely and meaningful way.
” She ’ s well aware that such a pathway may not present itself any time soon .
Health officials are highly skeptical of proposals like Level Up .
And one of these days , Harrington may not have a business to fight for .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure is a near-certainty .
“ Worst-case scenario , Jan. 1 , ” she said .
“ Best case scenario , maybe a month past that .
”

On a Saturday night in late November, Larimer County Commissioner Steve Johnson penned an email to various colleagues and local leaders about his experience dining outdoors in downtown Loveland, huddled, he wrote, with others around a propane heater in 38-degree weather.
“We should be ashamed of ourselves. I am. I’m ashamed to show my face as a government representative in these businesses,” Johnson wrote. He added, at the end of the note, “What we are doing is wrong, bad policy and making matters worse. It needs to be reexamined and changed.”
Johnson, a Republican, is among many primarily conservative officials who, along with business owners of various political stripes, is outspoken in opposition to the disproportionate harm the state’s county-level COVID-19 restrictions have on independently operated restaurants and bars that, in Larimer County and about half the counties in the state, have been forced to halt all indoor service.
In the absence of massive stimulus aid — something the state simply cannot afford to provide — thousands of these operators in Colorado are worried they’ll have to close in January, or soon after that.
Not willing to wait to find out, about 100 Loveland businesses banded together after it was announced late last month that Larimer County would be bumped up to Level Red on the state’s COVID-19 restriction dial, and vowed not to comply.
They issued a press release that concluded, “Therefore be it resolved: We, the undersigned business owners will remain open for business under the yellow guidelines” — Level Yellow is two notches of severity below Level Red — “to protect the public health and the economic livelihood of the community.”
Their local effort has highlighted how difficult it is to reconcile two priorities — reducing virus transmission and limiting economic ruin — that, as the state sees it, are largely irreconcilable. Inspired by a pilot program in Mesa County, others, including Larimer County, are now asking the state to OK loosened restrictions for businesses that meet certain safety criteria.
Non-compliance with regulations in Larimer County and beyond also has raised questions about fairness, and the seemingly inconsistent nature of enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions. Many who’ve resisted the state’s rules haven’t paid any price for that, leaving some business owners doubtful about how seriously the state takes its own rules and putting those businesses that all along have played by the rules at a competitive disadvantage.
“The goal is voluntary compliance,” said Meghan Tanis, spokeswoman for the Department of Revenue, which is one of several agencies tasked with enforcing COVID-19 rules. “We don’t want to go and shut down your place.”
But, Tanis added, “Some licensees are essentially telling us they have no plan to comply.”
An existential fight
The Loveland group is in compliance now, after its initial resistance. Because it’s hoping to convince the state to relax restrictions, it’s playing nice for the time being. But this group is not alone in resisting restrictions at one point or another.
Morgen Harrington, co-owner of the Grimm Brothers Brewhouse in Loveland and a leader of the small-business coalition, said she is contacted all the time by people outside Larimer County interested in variances from state-ordered COVID-19 restrictions. Mesa County is the state’s guinea pig for a variance program, and many others want in.
“I’m not built for this whole type of movement,” Harrington said. “We’re just grassroots, and we don’t know what we’re doing in terms of politics. We don’t want this to be an issue driven by political sides.”
Her local coalition, she stressed, should not be confused for sharing the generally anti-mask, far-right ideology of some prominent protesters of state restrictions, including Weld County’s commissioners and GOP state lawmakers who’ve called for “civil disobedience.”
Their fight, Harrington added, is an existential one.
“We were having to shut down again, with greater restrictions than big-box companies were allowed to operate with,” she said. “Just shutting down small businesses is not going to curb this pandemic enough, or stop the spread of the virus, but it will permanently shut down small businesses.”
Public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, have been clear that indoor drinking and dining poses a particularly high risk for virus transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in September that people who’d dined at a restaurant were twice as likely to have contracted the coronavirus. The issue, scientists explain, is that prolonged indoor interaction — even among groups spaced six feet apart — creates ideal conditions for the spread of this airborne virus.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Gov. Jared Polis said he hears questions regularly about why people can’t be in bars.
“The normal way we socialize would lead to tragic levels of loss of life. Double, triple, quadruple (an existing death toll) that is enough to mourn,” he said.
Fauci, addressing the Colorado press corps last week, stated, “Close the bars, open the schools.”
“Losing money every single day”
Julie Shaffer, owner of A.K.A. Kitchen in Loveland and a member of the coalition, was reminded Friday of how inconvenient the scientific consensus on indoor dining is for her business and employees. It was snowing outside, and as of mid-morning, she said, the restaurant’s total profit for the day was about $70. Meanwhile, she said, four employees were on hand.
Their wages, she said, “are coming out of my pocket right now. We’re losing money every single day.”
Before the coalition formed, Shaffer refused to be among the businesses in open defiance of regulations. She said she genuinely wanted to be in compliance, and also feared the optics.
“I don’t want to be that restaurant that people view as not caring” about public health, she said.
Shaffer watched as other businesses broke the rules and did not face enforcement — something Polis has threatened at various points.
Harrington said that of 98 businesses on her group’s list, she knows of only three — hers included — that have even been contacted by investigators recently. None lost their licenses. She thinks it’s no mistake that she, a vocal leader of the coalition, was warned by the state.
“It felt more like, ‘We are going to shush those of you who are going to make a stink publicly,'” she said.
There’s little evidence to suggest that rule breakers should necessarily expect to pay a price for defying COVID regulations. The Department of Revenue, which handles liquor licensing, reported Thursday it had suspended just five licenses during the pandemic — many times that number said they would defy the rules in Loveland alone — and the department believes that outside of those five, there have been very few liquor license suspensions handed down by local governments during the pandemic.
Liquor license suspension is just one form of enforcement that can be brought against a non-compliant business, but the state reports relatively little punishment handed down, and it seems to defer mostly to the judgment of local agencies. A spokeswoman with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, for example, told The Denver Post that the department had issued one suspension during the pandemic, and sent six cease-and-desist orders.
The state does not track suspensions by local governments, though those do happen on occasion. This week saw local suspension action at the Lyons Den Restaurant and Taphouse and at Denver’s iconic Sam’s No. 3 diner, which faced enforcement from city health officials who said the diner wasn’t ensuring proper airflow.
Denver reported 249 documented violations of COVID-19 restrictions since May, with 21 leading to suspensions of businesses that have mostly been allowed to reopen. That the vast majority of those 249 did not at any point lose a license underscores that breaking the rules usually won’t lead to strong punishment. Among the 228 violations that didn’t lead to suspension are a gym where all patrons were observed breaking the mask rule and a strip club where dancers and patrons were found making physical contact.
Many of the violators correct the behavior quickly, but others do not, and that’s one cause for concerns about fairness.
“That’s a pretty hot topic,” said Tanis, with the Department of Revenue, noting a slew of complaints her office has gotten from business owners. “If one bar is closing down, they want to ensure the rest of the industry is playing on this field.”
Said Johnson, the Larimer County commissioner, “We have heard from those businesses that are following the rules. They do say it’s not fair. And that’s correct. … It is not fair to have some people operating illegally and some people operating legally. The whole premise of our free enterprise system is a level playing field.”
Potential workaround
Johnson is one in a group of local officials, plus dozens of local businesses, backing a proposed new program for Larimer County called Level Up, which would loosen restrictions on some of the businesses hit hardest by Level Red curbs.
Under this proposal, restaurants that are currently banned from hosting customers indoors would be able to apply to have 25% capacity indoors. Other changes would include a slight capacity bump — from 10% to 25% — for gyms. County delegates met with state officials this week.
They reported positive feedback, but so far no green light.
“I don’t need an atta boy from the governor’s office,” Harrington said. “I need action and assurance that we are on a pathway to reopen our business in a timely and meaningful way.”
She’s well aware that such a pathway may not present itself any time soon. Health officials are highly skeptical of proposals like Level Up. And one of these days, Harrington may not have a business to fight for. Under current restrictions, she said, a closure is a near-certainty.
“Worst-case scenario, Jan. 1,” she said. “Best case scenario, maybe a month past that.”