thedenverpost--2020-03-30--NCAA to give spring sport athletes extra year of eligibility

The NCAA will permit spring sport athletes who had their seasons shortened by the coronavirus outbreak to have an additional @ @ @ @ @ NCAA Division I Council voted Monday to give college athletes who compete in spring sports @ @ @ @ @ and lacrosse a way to get back the season they lost , but did not @ @ @ @ @ sports were not included in the decision .
Council members declined to extend eligibility for @ @ @ @ @ or much of their regular seasons were completed .
How much scholarship money will be @ @ @ @ @ will be determined by the athlete ’ s school .
The amount could range from @ @ @ @ @ athlete received the year before .
Roster limits will be adjusted to fit returning athletes @ @ @ @ @

The NCAA will permit Division I spring-sport athletes — such as baseball, softball and lacrosse players — who had their seasons shortened by the coronavirus pandemic to have an additional year of eligibility.
The NCAA Division I Council voted Monday to give spring-sport athletes regardless of their year in school a way to get back the season they lost, but it did not guarantee financial aid to the current crop of seniors if they return to play next year.
Winter sports, such as basketball and hockey, were not included in the decision because many athletes in those sports had completed all or most of their regular seasons, the council decided.
The council is made up of college sports administrators representing all 32 D-I conferences, plus two members of the student-athlete advisory committee. Voting is weighted to give the Power Five conferences more say. Chairwoman Grace Calhoun, who is Penn’s athletic director, declined to reveal the final vote.
“At the end we really did coalesce around all of the decisions that we made today,” Calhoun said. “They were strongly supported.”
How much scholarship money will be made available to each athlete whose college career would have ended this spring will be determined by the athlete’s school. The amount could range from nothing to as much the athlete received had been receiving.
The added scholarships could cost a school hundreds of thousands of dollars more than it would usually spend on spring-sport athletes. The extra expenses come at a time when athletic departments could be facing cutbacks. The pandemic forced the cancellation of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which cut the association’s distribution to members by $375 million this year.
“We had long discussions around the fact that this does not avoid substantially difficult circumstances, but what we felt was important was to localize that decision-making and to ensure that we were as permissive as possible,” Calhoun said. “At the end of the day, each institution is going to have to figure out what it can do.”
Schools will be able to use the NCAA’s Student Assistance Fund to pay for scholarships for students who take advantage of the additional eligibility in 2020-21.
Roster and scholarship limits for teams will be adjusted next season to fit returning seniors and incoming freshman.
Katie Hoeg, an All-American lacrosse player from North Carolina, said she has a teaching and coaching job lined up after she graduates this spring, but now plans to return for another season as a graduate student.
“I’m choosing my passion,” she said. “I can’t imagine ending my lacrosse career the way this season is going. I was pretty hopeful this would be a possibility. I’m really excited this decision has been made.”
Nebraska-Omaha softball player Hailey Bartz was planning to graduate in December and move on from school. Now she’s not so sure.
“I’ve been speaking with my family about it and trying to figure out pros and cons. Do I want to take advantage of that year? Do I not?” Bartz said. “Some of my teammates have their schooling set up, full-time jobs. You have your life planned out and then this kind of pushes everything back another year. At the same time it’s really hard to pass up because it’s a game of love.”
NCAA Division I rules allow athletes to have four seasons of competition in a five-year period. Schools will be allowed to apply for waivers to restore one of those seasons for any athlete who competed while eligible in the spring season shortened by COVID-19 in 2020. After the 2021 spring season, scholarship and roster limits will apply to athletes granted the waiver.
“This has a four- or five-year effect depending on how you want to count it,” said Marquette athletic director Bill Scholl, whose school fields track, lacrosse, tennis and golf teams in the spring. “So the roster management piece is just something our coaches, we’re going to have to figure out and work our way through.’’
Calhoun said the council did not consider the possibility of the fall sports season, including football, being interrupted. Football generates billions of dollars, especially for Power Five conferences. Losing that would be potentially devastating to schools that play major college football.
“There was an acknowledgment that we don’t know the future and if other seasons are canceled other things happen in the future we’ll have to take that up with the individual merits of the case at time,” Calhoun said.
___
AP sports writers Eric Olson in Omaha, Nebraska, and Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--It’s “very likely” Colorado students will spend rest of school year learning remotely, Polis says

Gov .
Jared Polis may have dashed the hopes of homebound teachers , parents and students across Colorado on Monday , reiterating that in-class education is not likely to resume this academic year due to the state ’ s ongoing social-distancing measures .
“ It is very likely that you won ’ t be able to resume normal classroom activities this school year , ” Polis said during a news conference updating the public on efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
“ The school year hasn ’ t been called off yet statewide ; we ’ re always hopeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
That ’ s the likelihood.
” About two weeks ago , Polis ordered all public and private schools statewide to close their doors until at least April 17 in a bid to stop the spread of the highly contagious respiratory illness COVID-19 .
But even before he issued that order , as schools across Colorado opted on their own to shut down in-person learning , Polis said it was “ increasingly unlikely ” students would return to the classroom before summer break .
Denver Public Schools officials said Monday they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and health experts ” on the question of whether classroom education will resume before the end of the academic year .
In the meantime , schools around Colorado have abruptly pivoted to remote learning to keep students engaged .
The drastic change hasn ’ t always rolled out smoothly .
On Monday , as the Boulder Valley School District launched its first day of remote learning , the widely-used online education management system Schoology crashed for some users , including those within the Boulder district .
On Twitter , Schoology officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increased usage .
Carolyn Nohe , spokeswoman for Boulder Valley , said the platform was back up in about an hour and that learning wasn ’ t impacted Monday .
Denver Public Schools has yet to begin its remote learning journey ; that begins April 7 .

Gov. Jared Polis may have dashed the hopes of homebound teachers, parents and students across Colorado on Monday, reiterating that in-class education is not likely to resume this academic year due to the state’s ongoing social-distancing measures.
“It is very likely that you won’t be able to resume normal classroom activities this school year,” Polis said during a news conference updating the public on efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak. “The school year hasn’t been called off yet statewide; we’re always hopeful. But districts have been preparing for that. That’s the likelihood.”
About two weeks ago, Polis ordered all public and private schools statewide to close their doors until at least April 17 in a bid to stop the spread of the highly contagious respiratory illness COVID-19.
But even before he issued that order, as schools across Colorado opted on their own to shut down in-person learning, Polis said it was “increasingly unlikely” students would return to the classroom before summer break.
Denver Public Schools officials said Monday they are “working closely with state and local officials and health experts” on the question of whether classroom education will resume before the end of the academic year.
In the meantime, schools around Colorado have abruptly pivoted to remote learning to keep students engaged. The drastic change hasn’t always rolled out smoothly.
On Monday, as the Boulder Valley School District launched its first day of remote learning, the widely-used online education management system Schoology crashed for some users, including those within the Boulder district.
On Twitter, Schoology officials said some users experienced temporary performance issues due to increased usage.
Carolyn Nohe, spokeswoman for Boulder Valley , said the platform was back up in about an hour and that learning wasn’t impacted Monday.
Denver Public Schools has yet to begin its remote learning journey; that begins April 7.


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--How dire coronavirus projections, grim images dashed Trump’s Easter plan

WASHINGTON — The two doctors spread out their charts on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office .
The projections were grim : Even if the U.S. were to continue to do what it was doing , keeping the economy closed and most Americans in their homes , the coronavirus could leave 100,000 to 200,000 people dead and millions infected .
And the totals would be far worse if the nation reopened .
Those stark predictions grew even more tangible and harrowing when paired with televised images of body bags lined up at a New York City hospital not far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The confluence of dire warnings and tragic images served to move the president off his hopes for an Easter rebirth for the nation ’ s economy .
But while Trump sided with the White House doctors over its economists , at least for now , the decision shed light on a West Wing beset with divisions and a commander-in-chief torn between an instinct to embrace the image of a wartime president fighting an invisible enemy and one protecting the nation ’ s bottom line as he barrels into a bruising reelection fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tone was startling : Easter was no longer going to be the sunrise after blackest night .
Instead , it could be the darkest moment before dawn .
“ We ’ re thinking that around Easter that ’ s going to be your spike .
That ’ s going to be the highest point we think , and then it ’ s going to start coming down from there , ” Trump said Monday on Fox & Friends .
“ The worst that can happen is you do it too early and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That makes it more difficult.
” The bleak forecasts were carried into the Oval Office by Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx , who displayed to Trump projections that , on the low end , could yield 100,000 American deaths from COVID-19 .
One model showed that deaths could have soared past 2 million had there been no mitigation measures .
“ We showed him the data .
He looked at the data .
He got it right away .
it was a pretty clear picture , ” Fauci told CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birx and I went into the Oval Office and leaned over the desk and said , ‘ Here are the data , take a look.
’ He just shook his head and said , ‘ I guess we got to do it.
’ ” But as is often the case with Trump , it also took the power of images to prompt him to act .
Over the weekend , the death count in New York City skyrocketed , the silence of the city ’ s empty streets shattered only by ambulance sirens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Central Park .
And hospitals , including Elmhurst Medical Center in Queens , not far from Trump ’ s childhood home , were so overwhelmed that patients were lying in hallways and corpses stowed in refrigerated trucks .
“ This is essentially in my community , in Queens , Queens , New York , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ ve seen things that I ’ ve never seen before.
” Aides likened Trump ’ s emotional response to his reaction to the 2017 pictures of dead Syrian children that prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first air strike of his presidency .
And the moment also revealed the sharp divides among those advising Trump , both inside and outside of the West Wing .
For weeks , those in the White House who warned that the doctors ’ strict recommendations would cripple the economy — and Trump ’ s reelection chances — had the president ’ s ear and pushed him toward the idea of restarting business in the states where infections were low .
Trump ’ s decision to extend national guidelines to clamp down on activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former Trump adviser who had been pushing the administration publicly and privately to roll back restrictions in places with low infection rates , said the economic impact would grow worse every day that the shutdown continues , with more bankruptcies and more jobs lost .
He had urged Trump to begin to re-open in places like Idaho , Iowa and Nebraska , far from the infection hot spots .
But Trump was swayed by arguments that the fiscal pain would be worse if the economy was reopened and then forced to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chaotic days of his administration , Trump ’ s White House has become increasingly siloed in recent weeks , with different working groups functioning separately and sometimes in competition .
Members of Trump ’ s coronavirus task force , led by Vice President Mike Pence and including Fauci and Birx , did not know that Trump would be floating the idea of a quarantine of the New York area over the weekend — and then quickly moved to walk him back , according to three administration officials not authorized to publicly discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflicting advice from outside the White House as well .
While some Republican governors , like Henry McMaster of South Carolina , have urged the president to reopen the economy , Gov .
Ron DeSantis of Florida considered banning travelers from hot spots like New York from entering his state , which experts believe is poised to see a surge in coronavirus cases .
After speaking with DeSantis , Trump mused to reporters Saturday about a quarantine of New York , as well as parts of New Jersey and Connecticut , blindsiding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority .
Even if the measure was unenforceable , Trump thought it could be a signal to supporters elsewhere that he was walling off a virus hot zone comprised of three Democratic states .
But Fauci and other advisers persuaded him that it would accomplish little except ignite worry .
Like forecasts for a monster hurricane , the pandemic projection models can disagree with one another .
But the coronavirus models all agree that this outbreak and its consequences are extremely serious .
Birx singled out one by the Institute for Health Metrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Seattle , suggesting it ’ s close to how government experts see things .
That model forecasts predicts more than 82,000 total U.S. deaths through early August , with the highest number of daily deaths — an estimated 2,271 — occurring April 15 .
That would be three days after Easter .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Jonathan Lemire, Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller

WASHINGTON — The two doctors spread out their charts on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
The projections were grim: Even if the U.S. were to continue to do what it was doing, keeping the economy closed and most Americans in their homes, the coronavirus could leave 100,000 to 200,000 people dead and millions infected. And the totals would be far worse if the nation reopened.
Those stark predictions grew even more tangible and harrowing when paired with televised images of body bags lined up at a New York City hospital not far from where Trump grew up in Queens.
The confluence of dire warnings and tragic images served to move the president off his hopes for an Easter rebirth for the nation’s economy.
But while Trump sided with the White House doctors over its economists, at least for now, the decision shed light on a West Wing beset with divisions and a commander-in-chief torn between an instinct to embrace the image of a wartime president fighting an invisible enemy and one protecting the nation’s bottom line as he barrels into a bruising reelection fight.
The abrupt change in Trump’s tone was startling: Easter was no longer going to be the sunrise after blackest night. Instead, it could be the darkest moment before dawn.
“We’re thinking that around Easter that’s going to be your spike. That’s going to be the highest point we think, and then it’s going to start coming down from there,” Trump said Monday on Fox & Friends. “The worst that can happen is you do it too early and all of a sudden it comes back. That makes it more difficult.”
The bleak forecasts were carried into the Oval Office by Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, who displayed to Trump projections that, on the low end, could yield 100,000 American deaths from COVID-19. One model showed that deaths could have soared past 2 million had there been no mitigation measures.
“We showed him the data. He looked at the data. He got it right away. it was a pretty clear picture,” Fauci told CNN on Monday. “Dr. Debbie Birx and I went into the Oval Office and leaned over the desk and said, ‘Here are the data, take a look.’ He just shook his head and said, ‘I guess we got to do it.’”
But as is often the case with Trump, it also took the power of images to prompt him to act.
Over the weekend, the death count in New York City skyrocketed, the silence of the city’s empty streets shattered only by ambulance sirens. Makeshift medical tents were hastily erected in Central Park. And hospitals, including Elmhurst Medical Center in Queens, not far from Trump’s childhood home, were so overwhelmed that patients were lying in hallways and corpses stowed in refrigerated trucks.
“This is essentially in my community, in Queens, Queens, New York,” Trump said. “I’ve seen things that I’ve never seen before.”
Aides likened Trump’s emotional response to his reaction to the 2017 pictures of dead Syrian children that prompted him to give the order for the first air strike of his presidency. And the moment also revealed the sharp divides among those advising Trump, both inside and outside of the West Wing.
For weeks, those in the White House who warned that the doctors’ strict recommendations would cripple the economy — and Trump’s reelection chances — had the president’s ear and pushed him toward the idea of restarting business in the states where infections were low.
Trump’s decision to extend national guidelines to clamp down on activity left them disappointed.
Stephen Moore, a former Trump adviser who had been pushing the administration publicly and privately to roll back restrictions in places with low infection rates, said the economic impact would grow worse every day that the shutdown continues, with more bankruptcies and more jobs lost. He had urged Trump to begin to re-open in places like Idaho, Iowa and Nebraska, far from the infection hot spots.
But Trump was swayed by arguments that the fiscal pain would be worse if the economy was reopened and then forced to be shut again.
As in the early, chaotic days of his administration, Trump’s White House has become increasingly siloed in recent weeks, with different working groups functioning separately and sometimes in competition. Members of Trump’s coronavirus task force, led by Vice President Mike Pence and including Fauci and Birx, did not know that Trump would be floating the idea of a quarantine of the New York area over the weekend — and then quickly moved to walk him back, according to three administration officials not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations.
The president is getting conflicting advice from outside the White House as well.
While some Republican governors, like Henry McMaster of South Carolina, have urged the president to reopen the economy, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida considered banning travelers from hot spots like New York from entering his state, which experts believe is poised to see a surge in coronavirus cases.
After speaking with DeSantis, Trump mused to reporters Saturday about a quarantine of New York, as well as parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, blindsiding the local governors and raising questions about federal authority.
Even if the measure was unenforceable, Trump thought it could be a signal to supporters elsewhere that he was walling off a virus hot zone comprised of three Democratic states. But Fauci and other advisers persuaded him that it would accomplish little except ignite worry.
Like forecasts for a monster hurricane, the pandemic projection models can disagree with one another. But the coronavirus models all agree that this outbreak and its consequences are extremely serious.
Birx singled out one by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, suggesting it’s close to how government experts see things. That model forecasts predicts more than 82,000 total U.S. deaths through early August, with the highest number of daily deaths — an estimated 2,271 — occurring April 15.
That would be three days after Easter.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--University of Colorado may let medical students graduate early to join coronavirus fight

Leaders at the University of Colorado ’ s School of Medicine are considering allowing medical students near the end of @ @ @ @ @ and volunteer to help in the fight against COVID-19 .
For now , the school @ @ @ @ @ Medical Campus is reviewing the possibility , officials confirmed Monday , as talks of early @ @ @ @ @ the country amid nationwide concern about the stress on the U.S. health care system and @ @ @ @ @ the global coronavirus pandemic .
Last week , New York University became the first medical @ @ @ @ @ their final year the option to graduate early and join the fight against the highly @ @ @ @ @ to The Washington Post .
Dr. Marc Moss , head of pulmonology at UCHealth Hospital @ @ @ @ @ , spoke at a news conference with Gov .
Jared Polis on Monday , saying @ @ @ @ @ s hospital is seeing almost double the average number of patients “ and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ of this crisis .
”

Leaders at the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine are considering allowing medical students near the end of their schooling to graduate early and volunteer to help in the fight against COVID-19.
For now, the school on CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus is reviewing the possibility, officials confirmed Monday, as talks of early medical school graduation happen across the country amid nationwide concern about the stress on the U.S. health care system and its workers as they battle the global coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, New York University became the first medical school to allow students in their final year the option to graduate early and join the fight against the highly contagious respiratory disease, according to The Washington Post.
Dr. Marc Moss, head of pulmonology at UCHealth Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus, spoke at a news conference with Gov. Jared Polis on Monday, saying the ICU at CU’s hospital is seeing almost double the average number of patients “and we’re only at the beginning of this crisis.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--Broncos Draft Board: Speedy TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney feels like he’s “the biggest sleeper”

Editor ’ s note : One of a series of profiles of draft prospects who could interest the Broncos .
At 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds , TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney understands there are question marks surrounding his size .
But the fifth-year senior , who is projected to be a second- or third-round pick in April ’ s draft , doesn ’ t believe that ’ s an issue , pointing to his quickness and physicality as reasons he ’ s a bona fide NFL prospect .
Statistics : Entered draft process after redshirt senior season .
… Tied for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended in 2019 , including a conference-best 14 pass breakups .
… Played in all 12 games as a senior , starting 10 , and started all 13 games as a junior .
… Totaled 146 tackles , five interceptions and 43 passes defended during TCU career .
Fit for Broncos : The Broncos might want an outside cornerback to compete with Da ’ Vante Bausby , Davontae Harris and others for a starting role opposite the team ’ s other outside cornerback , A.J .
Bouye .
“ I play bigger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know that , ” Gladney said at the NFL combine .
“ They think they ’ re going to come out there and bully me , but that doesn ’ t go down .
… I feel like I ’ m the biggest sleeper .
They talk about my size a lot , but everyone knows I ’ m a speed demon and physical.
” Gladney redshirted his freshman year at TCU while recovering from a knee injury .
Once healthy , Gladney quickly asserted himself as a staple of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 52 career games .
He totaled 146 tackles , five interceptions and 43 passes defended during that time .
As a senior , Gladney earned first-team all-Big-12 honors and led the conference with 14 pass breakups .
Per Pro Football Focus , he also had more forced incompletions on third down ( 19 ) than any other cornerback in the 2020 draft class .
His ability to break up passes can be attributed to hops ( 37.5-inch vertical ) as well as wingspan ( 6-3 ) .
“ I feel like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to get hands on ( a wideout ) , ” Gladney said .
“ At the catch point , I can reach through the receiver , so that length helps a lot.
” Could Gladney find a professional home in Denver , which has one second-round pick ( No .
46 overall ) and three in the third round ?
This offseason , the Broncos already traded for one Pro Bowl cornerback , acquiring A.J .
Bouye from Jacksonville .
They are relying on another , Bryce Callahan , to return as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last season with a foot injury .
But with Bouye at one outside cornerback spot and Callahan playing the slot , Denver has a question mark remaining at the other outside corner position .
Returning In-house options include De ’ Vante Bausby , Davontae Harris , Isaac Yiadom and Duke Dawson .
Wherever he lands , Gladney , who said he thinks he ’ s the best cornerback in the draft , vows to show up on tape in the run game , too .
“ I ’ m very physical , ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) the whole game , ” Gladney said .
“ I don ’ t play like most corners .
I like to stick my nose in everything .
I ’ m just not a cover corner .
I like to hit , too .
”

Editor’s note: One of a series of profiles of draft prospects who could interest the Broncos.
At 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney understands there are question marks surrounding his size.
But the fifth-year senior, who is projected to be a second- or third-round pick in April’s draft, doesn’t believe that’s an issue, pointing to his quickness and physicality as reasons he’s a bona fide NFL prospect.
Gladney File Age: 23 Position: Cornerback School: TCU Hometown: New Boston, Texas Height/weight: 5-10/191 Statistics: Entered draft process after redshirt senior season. … Tied for second in the Big-12 with 15 passes defended in 2019, including a conference-best 14 pass breakups. … Played in all 12 games as a senior, starting 10, and started all 13 games as a junior. … Totaled 146 tackles, five interceptions and 43 passes defended during TCU career. Fit for Broncos: The Broncos might want an outside cornerback to compete with Da’Vante Bausby, Davontae Harris and others for a starting role opposite the team’s other outside cornerback, A.J. Bouye.
“I play bigger than my size, and most receivers don’t know that,” Gladney said at the NFL combine. “They think they’re going to come out there and bully me, but that doesn’t go down. … I feel like I’m the biggest sleeper. They talk about my size a lot, but everyone knows I’m a speed demon and physical.”
Gladney redshirted his freshman year at TCU while recovering from a knee injury. Once healthy, Gladney quickly asserted himself as a staple of the Horned Frogs’ secondary, starting 42 of 52 career games. He totaled 146 tackles, five interceptions and 43 passes defended during that time.
As a senior, Gladney earned first-team all-Big-12 honors and led the conference with 14 pass breakups. Per Pro Football Focus, he also had more forced incompletions on third down (19) than any other cornerback in the 2020 draft class. His ability to break up passes can be attributed to hops (37.5-inch vertical) as well as wingspan (6-3).
“I feel like I don’t have to be as close to get hands on (a wideout),” Gladney said. “At the catch point, I can reach through the receiver, so that length helps a lot.”
Could Gladney find a professional home in Denver, which has one second-round pick (No. 46 overall) and three in the third round?
This offseason, the Broncos already traded for one Pro Bowl cornerback, acquiring A.J. Bouye from Jacksonville. They are relying on another, Bryce Callahan, to return as a secondary centerpiece after missing all of last season with a foot injury.
But with Bouye at one outside cornerback spot and Callahan playing the slot, Denver has a question mark remaining at the other outside corner position. Returning In-house options include De’Vante Bausby, Davontae Harris, Isaac Yiadom and Duke Dawson.
Wherever he lands, Gladney, who said he thinks he’s the best cornerback in the draft, vows to show up on tape in the run game, too.
“I’m very physical, (and) I go 110 (percent) the whole game,” Gladney said. “I don’t play like most corners. I like to stick my nose in everything. I’m just not a cover corner. I like to hit, too.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--Trump administration rules gun shops “essential” amid coronavirus

The Trump administration has ruled that gun shops are considered “ essential ” businesses that should remain open as other businesses are closed to try to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Gun control groups are balking , calling it a policy that puts profits over public health after intense lobbying by the firearms industry .
In the past several weeks , various states and municipalities have offered different interpretations of whether gun stores should be allowed to remain open as Americans stay at home to avoid spreading the virus .
In Los Angeles , for example , County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his territory to close , leading to legal challenges from gun rights advocates .
After days of lobbying by the National Rifle Association , the National Shooting Sports Foundation and other gun groups , the Department of Homeland Security this past weekend issued an advisory declaring that firearms dealers should be considered essential services — just like grocery stores , pharmacies and hospitals — and allowed to remain open .
The agency said its ruling was not a mandate but merely guidance for cities , towns and states as they weigh how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , gun control groups called it a move to put profits over public health .
The Brady group on Monday filed a Freedom of Information request with DHS seeking emails and documents that explain how the agency reached its decision to issue the advisory and to determine if it consulted with any public health experts .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
“ The gun lobby is not willing to stand for a few days or a few weeks of less profit in order to protect public health , and it ’ s outrageous and definitely not required by the Second Amendment , ” said Jonathan Lowy , chief counsel for Brady .
He added later : “ It ’ s a public health issue , not a Second Amendment issue .
The fact is that guns , the nature of guns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of close interaction .
They can ’ t be sold from vending machines , can ’ t be sold with curbside pickup.
” The gun lobby has been pushing back vigorously against places where some authorities have deemed federally licensed gun dealers are not essential and should close as part of stay-at-home directives .
The gun lobby has said it ’ s critical these shops remain open so Americans , who are buying firearms in record numbers , have the ability to exercise their constitutional rights .
In recent weeks , firearm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key barometer of gun sales — already were at record numbers in January and February , likely fueled by a presidential election year .
Since the coronavirus outbreak , gun shops have reported long lines and runs on firearms and ammunition .
Background checks were up 300 % on March 16 , compared with the same date a year ago , according to federal data shared with the NSSF , which represents gunmakers .
Since Feb. 23 , each day has seen roughly double the volume over 2019 , according to Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Texas , the attorney general there issued a legal opinion saying that emergency orders shuttering gun shops are unconstitutional .
That stands in contrast to some municipalities , such as New Orleans , where the mayor has issued an emergency proclamation that declares the authority to restrict sales of firearms and ammunition .
NSSF and other gun lobbying groups hailed the ruling as a victory for gun owners , especially first-time buyers of a firearm who are concerned that upheaval and turmoil over the virus could affect personal safety .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands , even millions , of Americans choosing to exercise their right to keep and bear arms to ensure their safety and the safety of loved ones during these uncertain times , ” said Lawrence Keane , senior vice president and general counsel for NSSF .
“ Americans must not be denied the ability to exercise that right to lawfully purchase and acquire firearms during times of emergency.
” Brady ’ s Lowy said it shouldn ’ t be considered a violation of Second Amendment rights since it ’ s temporary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He likened it to constitutional rights to peaceably assemble , a right that is being curtailed at the moment as Americans practice social distancing .
“ If you have a gun in the home , you are exercising your Second Amendment rights .
No court has held that you have a Second Amendment right to a stockpile of guns , ” he said .
The vast majority of states are allowing gun shops to remain open .
However , some states that have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus have ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
In the absence of a mandate from federal authorities , gun groups have been filing lawsuits challenging state and local authorities who are ordering gun shops and ranges to close .
The NRA thanked President Donald Trump for the DHS ruling .
The NRA has been an unflinching backer of Trump , pumping about $ 30 million toward his 2016 campaign .

The Trump administration has ruled that gun shops are considered “essential” businesses that should remain open as other businesses are closed to try to stop the spread of coronavirus. Gun control groups are balking, calling it a policy that puts profits over public health after intense lobbying by the firearms industry.
In the past several weeks, various states and municipalities have offered different interpretations of whether gun stores should be allowed to remain open as Americans stay at home to avoid spreading the virus. In Los Angeles, for example, County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has twice ordered gun shops in his territory to close, leading to legal challenges from gun rights advocates.
After days of lobbying by the National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and other gun groups, the Department of Homeland Security this past weekend issued an advisory declaring that firearms dealers should be considered essential services — just like grocery stores, pharmacies and hospitals — and allowed to remain open. The agency said its ruling was not a mandate but merely guidance for cities, towns and states as they weigh how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Still, gun control groups called it a move to put profits over public health. The Brady group on Monday filed a Freedom of Information request with DHS seeking emails and documents that explain how the agency reached its decision to issue the advisory and to determine if it consulted with any public health experts.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
“The gun lobby is not willing to stand for a few days or a few weeks of less profit in order to protect public health, and it’s outrageous and definitely not required by the Second Amendment,” said Jonathan Lowy, chief counsel for Brady. He added later: “It’s a public health issue, not a Second Amendment issue. The fact is that guns, the nature of guns, require that they be sold with a lot of close interaction. They can’t be sold from vending machines, can’t be sold with curbside pickup.”
The gun lobby has been pushing back vigorously against places where some authorities have deemed federally licensed gun dealers are not essential and should close as part of stay-at-home directives. The gun lobby has said it’s critical these shops remain open so Americans, who are buying firearms in record numbers, have the ability to exercise their constitutional rights.
In recent weeks, firearm sales have skyrocketed. Background checks — the key barometer of gun sales — already were at record numbers in January and February, likely fueled by a presidential election year. Since the coronavirus outbreak, gun shops have reported long lines and runs on firearms and ammunition.
Background checks were up 300% on March 16, compared with the same date a year ago, according to federal data shared with the NSSF, which represents gunmakers. Since Feb. 23, each day has seen roughly double the volume over 2019, according to Mark Oliva, spokesman for the group.
In Texas, the attorney general there issued a legal opinion saying that emergency orders shuttering gun shops are unconstitutional. That stands in contrast to some municipalities, such as New Orleans, where the mayor has issued an emergency proclamation that declares the authority to restrict sales of firearms and ammunition.
NSSF and other gun lobbying groups hailed the ruling as a victory for gun owners, especially first-time buyers of a firearm who are concerned that upheaval and turmoil over the virus could affect personal safety.
“We have seen over the past week hundreds of thousands, even millions, of Americans choosing to exercise their right to keep and bear arms to ensure their safety and the safety of loved ones during these uncertain times,” said Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel for NSSF. “Americans must not be denied the ability to exercise that right to lawfully purchase and acquire firearms during times of emergency.”
Brady’s Lowy said it shouldn’t be considered a violation of Second Amendment rights since it’s temporary and in the midst of a pandemic. He likened it to constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, a right that is being curtailed at the moment as Americans practice social distancing.
“If you have a gun in the home, you are exercising your Second Amendment rights. No court has held that you have a Second Amendment right to a stockpile of guns,” he said.
The vast majority of states are allowing gun shops to remain open. However, some states that have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus have ruled that gun shops are not essential and should close. In the absence of a mandate from federal authorities, gun groups have been filing lawsuits challenging state and local authorities who are ordering gun shops and ranges to close.
The NRA thanked President Donald Trump for the DHS ruling. The NRA has been an unflinching backer of Trump, pumping about $30 million toward his 2016 campaign.


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--Facing budget crisis, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance takes its classes online

As dozens of dance studios sit idle across the metro area , one prominent company is moving deliberately into the virtual world .
“ Federal funding that trickles down to Colorado from the ( National Endowment for the Arts ) is typically around $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 , ” said Malik Robinson , executive director of Denver ’ s Cleo Parker Robinson Dance ( CRPD ) .
“ Some folks are facing some pretty large gaps and that will certainly help , but it ’ s just not going to address it in ( a ) significant way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50-year-old Five Points-neighborhood institution — known for its focus on African-American stories — on Monday launched its Cyber Dance 2020 program .
The tongue-in-cheek marketing , featuring a vintage image of founder Cleo Parker Robinson decked out in 1980s , “ Flashdance ” -style workout attire , belies a serious concern .
“ Like all of Colorado , these weeks of closures and shelter-in-place have devastated our budget and our programs , ” founder Cleo Parker Robinson wrote on the company ’ s website .
“ However , our staff is working diligently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual world to physically distance ourselves from one another while staying socially connected.
” Some classes , such as a 45-minute live-streamed barre instruction with rehearsal director Chloe-Grant Abel , are free to watch via Robinson ’ s Instagram page at instagram.com/cleodance .
Recordings of them and other archived performances will remain available on cleoparkerdance.org .
Virtual classes require a free registration and a “ pick-your-price ” donation that goes toward supporting the artists and the company .
Classes can be viewed at cleoparkerdance.org/academy .
One-on-one instruction is also available upon request .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 dollars and include offerings from 4 minutes to 30 minutes , ” CRPD director of development Hillary Harding wrote in an email .
“ New offerings will be added over the coming weeks .
Scholarships for these classes are available .
Contact amelia @ cleoparkerdance.org for that information.
” Once you pay for access to one link , you will have unlimited access to it as long as the class is posted , the company said on its website .
People wishing to generally donate can visit cleoparkerdance.org/support .
The move is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respected company , which typically runs 55 classes per week and serves 1,400 students between its studios at 119 Park Avenue West and its programs at Metropolitan State University .
It has regularly received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and traveled to 40 countries on five continents over its lifespan to perform .
CPRD faces an immediate funding gap due to its academy classes being shut down for the rest of the season , as well as loss of revenue from the shows that would have rounded out its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rents out its 240-seat theater to more than 20 outside organizations .
The theater ’ s closure from March until May means a loss of 30 percent of that annual revenue , Malik Robinson said .
As the company realized it had to abandon the rest of its 49th season , CRPD put into effect a hiring freeze that affected three new hires in the 2020 budget .
It also put a moratorium on most spending and cut hours for all contract staff .
CPRD continues to pay its professional ensemble dancers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mimicking efforts from Wonderbound , Colorado Ballet and other companies .
At the moment , the company foresees a loss of about $ 900,000 across its 2020 programs , with year-over-year drops in both contributed and earned income projected for May .
That takes into account fundraising , such as a planned , March 31 showcase event that would have rolled out CPRD ’ s 50th anniversary events for the 2020-21 artistic season .
“ The sudden loss of touring income , performances and theater revenue from our partners , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academy , has been difficult for us to deal with , ” Malik Robinson said .
“ Over the past few years we ’ ve really been growing the organization and anticipated another great year of growth , which is reflected in March and April numbers.
” The nonprofit company ’ s total budget for 2019 was a relatively modest $ 1.6 million , but it had been growing steadily since 2014 , when it was $ 836,275 , according to a company fact sheet .
That continued growth now seems doubtful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for CRPD as it approaches what was supposed to be its triumphant 50th season , set to run from September 2020 through May 2021 .
Malik Robinson , who is board chairman for the Washington , D.C.-based Dance USA , said that company is also considering moving the Dance USA national conference — planned for June 17-20 in Denver — completely online .
Cleo Parker Robinson , Malik ’ s mother , has received a Kennedy Center Medal of Honor and sat on President Bill Clinton ’ s National Council on the Arts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dance world for her decades-long mission to preserve and refresh the work of African-American choreographers while mixing elements of traditional dance , African diaspora and contemporary ballet .
CPRD ’ s Ensemble , for example , is one of the only companies authorized to present certain works from legendary choreographers such as Katherine Dunham and Donald McKayle .
The elder Robinson , who has collaborated with everyone from Harry Belafonte to Maya Angelou , has also hosted the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference in Denver in the past .
Upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ability ” are still being organized , said spokeswoman Patricia Smith .
CRPD is also offering links to schools to fill in the gaps left by the coronavirus shutdown .
The company last year served 20,000 metro-area elementary , middle-school and high-school students at 80 schools with its educational outreach programs .
Interested educators can email shelby @ cleoparkerdance.org for links to new content , the company said .
The moves to replicate CRPD ’ s academy classes are not unique to Robinson ’ s company .
CRPD was already in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a podcast ( the first episode will premiere soon , the company promises ) and other digital efforts , mimicking offerings from Wonderbound , Ballet Ariel , Colorado Ballet and others to keep audiences connected during the indefinite coronavirus shutdown .
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , In The Know , to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox .

As dozens of dance studios sit idle across the metro area, one prominent company is moving deliberately into the virtual world.
“Federal funding that trickles down to Colorado from the (National Endowment for the Arts) is typically around $15,000 to $20,000,” said Malik Robinson, executive director of Denver’s Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CRPD). “Some folks are facing some pretty large gaps and that will certainly help, but it’s just not going to address it in (a) significant way.”
To cope, Robinson’s nearly 50-year-old Five Points-neighborhood institution — known for its focus on African-American choreographers — on Monday launched its Cyberdance 2020 program.
The tongue-in-cheek marketing, featuring a vintage image of now-71-year-old founder Cleo Parker Robinson decked out in 1980s, “Flashdance”-style workout attire, is underlined with retro-futuristic design.
“Like all of Colorado, these weeks of closures and shelter-in-place have devastated our budget and our programs,” the founder wrote on the company’s website. “However, our staff is working diligently to pivot quickly and effectively in the virtual world to physically distance ourselves from one another while staying socially connected.”
Some classes, such as a 45-minute live-streamed barre instruction with rehearsal director Chloe-Grant Abel, are free to watch via Robinson’s Instagram page at instagram.com/cleodance. Recordings of them and other archived performances will remain available on cleoparkerdance.org.
Virtual classes require a free registration and a “pick-your-price” donation that goes toward supporting the artists and the company. Classes can be viewed at cleoparkerdance.org/academy. One-on-one instruction is also available upon request.
“Class prices are $5-$20 dollars and include offerings from 4 minutes to 30 minutes,” CRPD director of development Hillary Harding wrote in an email. “New offerings will be added over the coming weeks. Scholarships for these classes are available. Contact amelia@cleoparkerdance.org for that information.”
Once you pay for access to one link, you will have unlimited access to that link as long as the class is posted, the company said on its website. People wishing to generally donate can visit cleoparkerdance.org/support.
The move is both survival tactic and artistic outreach for the respected company, which typically runs 35 classes per week and serves 1,000 students between its studios at 119 Park Avenue West and its programs at Metropolitan State University. It has regularly received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and traveled to 20 countries on five continents over its lifespan to perform.
CPRD faces an immediate funding gap due to its academy classes being shut down for the rest of the season, as well as loss of revenue from the shows that would have rounded out its 2019-2020 artistic season. The company also rents out its 240-seat theater to more than 20 outside organizations. The theater’s closure from March until May means a loss of 30 percent of that annual revenue, Malik Robinson said.
As the company realized it had to abandon the rest of its 49th season, CRPD put into effect a hiring freeze that affected three new hires in the 2020 budget. It also put a moratorium on most spending and cut hours for all contract staff. CPRD continues to pay its professional ensemble dancers and full-time staff, the company said, mimicking efforts from Wonderbound, Colorado Ballet and other companies.
At the moment, the company foresees a loss of about $900,000 across its 2020 programs, with year-over-year drops in both contributed and earned income projected for May. That takes into account fundraising, such as a planned, March 31 showcase event that would have rolled out CPRD’s 50th anniversary events for the 2020-21 artistic season.
“The sudden loss of touring income, performances and theater revenue from our partners, as well as the loss of tuition and our summer academy, has been difficult for us to deal with,” Malik Robinson said. “Over the past few years we’ve really been growing the organization and anticipated another great year of growth, which is reflected in March and April numbers.”
While the nonprofit company’s total budget for 2019 was a relatively modest $1.6 million, it had been growing steadily since 2014, when it was $836,275, according to a company fact sheet. That continued growth now seems doubtful.
It’s a particularly distressing situation for CRPD as it approaches what was supposed to be its triumphant 50th season, set to run from September 2020 through May 2021. Malik Robinson, who is board chairman for the Washington, D.C.-based Dance USA, said the company is also helping move the Dance USA national conference — planned for June 17-20 in Denver – completely online.
Cleo Parker Robinson, Malik’s mother, has received a Kennedy Center Medal of Honor and sat on President Bill Clinton’s National Council on the Arts in 1999. She is well-known in the dance world for her decades-long mission to preserve and refresh the work of African-American choreographers while mixing elements of traditional dance, African diaspora and contemporary ballet.
CPRD’s Ensemble, for example, is one of the only companies authorized to present certain works from legendary choreographers such as Katherine Dunham and Donald McKayle.
The elder Robinson, who has collaborated with everyone from Harry Belafonte to Maya Angelou, has also hosted the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference in Denver in the past.
Upcoming programs “for all ages and levels of ability” are still being organized, said spokeswoman Patricia Smith. CRPD is also offering links to schools to fill in the gaps left by the coronavirus shutdown. The company last year served 20,000 metro-area elementary, middle-school and high-school students at 80 schools with its educational outreach programs. Interested educators can email shelby@cleoparkerdance.org for links to new content, the company said.
The moves to replicate CRPD’s academy classes are not unique to Robinson’s company. CRPD was already in the process of taking steps to go online with a podcast (the first episode will premiere soon, the company promises) and other digital efforts, mimicking offerings from Wonderbound, Ballet Ariel, Colorado Ballet and others to keep audiences connected during the indefinite coronavirus shutdown.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-30--Mountains still attracting lots of people despite pleas from governor to stay close to home

Backcountry ski and snowboard destinations in the mountains near Denver continued to attract eager recreationalists over the weekend despite statements by Gov .
Jared Polis urging people to stay close to home .
A CDOT camera overlooking the Berthoud Pass parking lot on Saturday showed it to be full .
Both sides of Loveland Pass were filled with skiers and snowboarders on Saturday , according to Charles Pitman , public information officer with the Summit County Rescue Group .
The lots on Vail Pass where skiers , riders and snowmobilers typically park to play in the Vail Pass Recreation Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus outbreak , but cars have still been parking near the on-ramp .
Pitman , who is also a mission coordinator for the Summit County Rescue Group , spent more than two hours on Loveland Pass with a Summit County Sheriff ’ s Office deputy on Saturday and said he saw a lot of activity on both sides of the pass .
“ There was a constant stream of vehicles providing ferry service for skiers and boarders , ” Pitman said .
“ There were two state patrol officers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from illegal parking , which appeared to be challenging.
” On Sunday , Pitman visited four popular trailheads in Summit County , all of which attracted many users .
“ One deputy checked plates in the Quandary ( Peak ) parking lot and noted that 50 % were from out-of-county , ” Pitman said .
That was in direct defiance of the governor ’ s message on Friday .
“ If you need to recreate outdoors , do it in communities close to your home , ” Polis said in a Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re not working , this doesn ’ t mean it ’ s vacation .
It ’ s not the time to drive two or three hours from Denver to mountain communities , many of which are reeling from the crisis .
Let me add , that is really dumb , because those communities have a higher rate of infection than where you live.
” Another concern expressed by Colorado search and rescue organizations has been that the closure of ski areas is leading inexperienced people into the backcountry — and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect avalanche dynamics .
While on Loveland Pass , Pitman surveyed skiers and riders to find out if they had avalanche beacons with them .
Over the course of two hours , he only found one who did .
RELATED : Human-triggered avalanches rise as more people go into backcountry to exercise This was only three days after backcountry users triggered an avalanche above the west portal of the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels that was 300 feet wide and left avalanche debris 20 feet deep .
“ Backcountry users seemed to be unconcerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I found the lack of concern rather disturbing , but not unusual .
I received the usual comments of ‘ We are taking it easy today , ’ and ‘ I know the area and board here often , ’ ” and , ‘ Lots of people have already gone down here.
’ “ In recent weeks , high visitation numbers in the backcountry have been a disturbing trend for county officials , first responders and rescue organizations .
Charley Mace , an avid backcountry skier and Himalayan mountain guide , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who reported massive numbers at one backcountry destination he preferred not to name .
“ One of them said it was four times as many people as he ’ s ever seen , the other guy said it was five times as many people , ” Mace said .
“ I live here in Golden , I ’ ve got a bike path out my window , and every time I look out there , somebody is jogging or biking .
People are absolutely getting out of the house , and people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the same thing to get to a trailhead.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

Backcountry ski and snowboard destinations in the mountains near Denver continued to attract eager recreationalists over the weekend despite statements by Gov. Jared Polis urging people to stay close to home.
A CDOT camera overlooking the Berthoud Pass parking lot on Saturday showed it to be full. Both sides of Loveland Pass were filled with skiers and snowboarders on Saturday, according to Charles Pittman, public information officer with the Summit County Rescue Group.
The lots on Vail Pass where skiers, riders and snowmobilers typically park to play in the Vail Pass Recreation Area were closed by the U.S. Forest Service because of the coronavirus outbreak, but cars have still been parking near the on-ramp.
Pittman, who is also a mission coordinator for the Summit County Rescue Group, spent more than two hours on Loveland Pass with a Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputy on Saturday and said he saw a lot of activity on both sides of the pass.
“There was a constant stream of vehicles providing ferry service for skiers and boarders,” Pittman said. “There were two state patrol officers also cruising up and down and constantly keeping people from illegal parking, which appeared to be challenging.”
On Sunday, Pittman visited four popular trailheads in Summit County, all of which attracted many users.
“One deputy checked plates in the Quandary (Peak) parking lot and noted that 50% were from out-of-county,” Pittman said.
That was in direct defiance of the governor’s message on Friday.
“If you need to recreate outdoors, do it in communities close to your home,” Polis said in a Friday afternoon press conference. “Just because you’re not working, this doesn’t mean it’s vacation. It’s not the time to drive two or three hours from Denver to mountain communities, many of which are reeling from the crisis. Let me add, that is really dumb, because those communities have a higher rate of infection than where you live.”
Another concern expressed by Colorado search and rescue organizations has been that the closure of ski areas is leading inexperienced people into the backcountry — and that those inexperienced people do not understand or respect avalanche dynamics. While on Loveland Pass, Pittman surveyed skiers and riders to find out if they had avalanche beacons with them. Over the course of two hours, he only found one who did.
RELATED: Human-triggered avalanches rise as more people go into backcountry to exercise
This was only three days after backcountry users triggered an avalanche above the west portal of the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels that was 300 feet wide and left avalanche debris 20 feet deep.
“Backcountry users seemed to be unconcerned about the avalanche danger,” Pittman said. “I found the lack of concern rather disturbing, but not unusual. I received the usual comments of ‘We are taking it easy today,’ and ‘I know the area and board here often,’ ” and, ‘Lots of people have already gone down here.’ “
In recent weeks, high visitation numbers in the backcountry have been a disturbing trend for county officials, first responders and rescue organizations. Charley Mace, an avid backcountry skier and Himalayan mountain guide, said he heard from friends a week ago who reported massive numbers at one backcountry destination he preferred not to name.
“One of them said it was four times as many people as he’s ever seen, the other guy said it was five times as many people,” Mace said. “I live here in Golden, I’ve got a bike path out my window, and every time I look out there, somebody is jogging or biking. People are absolutely getting out of the house, and people are not afraid to drive an hour to do the same thing to get to a trailhead.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-31--Ask Amy: Brother is estranged over father’s gift

Dear Readers : Because of syndication scheduling , I write and submit my columns two weeks in advance of publication .
Due to this time lag , the Q and A ’ s will not reflect the latest information about the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing .
Dear Amy : For years before my dad died , he repeatedly told his four adult kids that he would leave his ( small , rundown ) family home to Brother # 1 .
Sister and I agreed with him , as this brother had need of it ( low-income , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us didn ’ t .
Brother # 2 was livid and hasn ’ t spoken to us for three years .
( By the way , he is wealthy — owns a boat , enjoys multiple vacations each year , has a $ 20,000 racing bike — and had no need for the home . )
Fast-forward to now .
Brother # 1 ( now in the house ) has a seriously ill newborn baby .
I flew home from Europe , sister traveled across the country to be there .
We did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
to allow my brother and his wife to spend time in the hospital .
( The baby is still in the hospital , but is getting better . )
Brother # 2 — who lives 15 minutes away — did nothing .
He sent a short text message when my brother and sister told him about this health crisis , but no phone call , no offer to help — nothing !
I respect Brother # 2 ’ s wishes , and I try not to judge him .
Maybe there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know nothing about .
Yet I am astonished that even a gravely ill newborn baby didn ’ t elicit a different response .
Now I am starting to judge him .
I think that he ’ s just a jerk and not worth a moment ’ s further thought .
I don ’ t like having something akin to hate on my heart .
Am I missing a way forward here ?
Dear Brother : One way forward would be for you to reach out in a more proactive way , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarity , while remaining realistic about a murky outcome .
You could send an open-ended communication : “ Hey , I ’ m in town with Graham and his family .
Their little newborn is still in the hospital .
Can we talk while I ’ m here ?
” Your brother will either not respond at all , or he will wait until just before you leave the country and then give you a brief , noncommittal response .
Then you can ask , “ Are you OK ?
Is there something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about ?
” He may respond to these nonjudgmental queries in a way that gives you more to go on .
When people withdraw and don ’ t explain why , it is tempting — and easiest — to jump to the harshest conclusion .
You can certainly write off your brother as a selfish jerk , but you might as well wait until you have at least tried to connect .
Dear Amy : A former co-worker has moved into my area and wants to have a friendly relationship with my husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and my husband and I were uncomfortable with the conversation .
Politically , this person is very conservative and vocal .
We are not .
We have had no contact for many months until yesterday when I received an email saying they would like to get together “ sooner rather than later.
” How can I tactfully decline and not hurt their feelings ?
Dear Wondering : Many months after seeing you one time , this person has reached out and expressed the desire to get together at some point .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even asking a question , but basically putting out a vague feeler .
If you don ’ t want to forge a relationship , you can start the distancing process by not replying to this email quickly .
Wait a few days and then respond with a noncommittal , “ I ’ m so happy spring has finally sprung !
I hope you ’ re doing well and adjusting to life here.
” If they issue a specific invitation , you could respond by saying , “ I ’ m sorry , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work out .
I wish you all the best , but we don ’ t seem to have much in common to build an active friendship upon.
” Dear Amy : I was so cheered reading your previous “ Best Of ” column devoted to the stuffed animals from childhood that many of us have carried with us through life .
Coincidentally , this column was published on the day that news of the coronavirus pandemic broke .
It comforted me during a tough time .
Dear Comforted : I wish I still @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Dear Readers: Because of syndication scheduling, I write and submit my columns two weeks in advance of publication. Due to this time lag, the Q and A’s will not reflect the latest information about the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing.
Dear Amy: For years before my dad died, he repeatedly told his four adult kids that he would leave his (small, rundown) family home to Brother #1.
Sister and I agreed with him, as this brother had need of it (low-income, with children) and the rest of us didn’t.
Brother #2 was livid and hasn’t spoken to us for three years. (By the way, he is wealthy — owns a boat, enjoys multiple vacations each year, has a $20,000 racing bike — and had no need for the home.)
Fast-forward to now. Brother #1 (now in the house) has a seriously ill newborn baby. I flew home from Europe, sister traveled across the country to be there.
We did school runs, grocery shopping, etc. to allow my brother and his wife to spend time in the hospital. (The baby is still in the hospital, but is getting better.) Brother #2 — who lives 15 minutes away — did nothing. He sent a short text message when my brother and sister told him about this health crisis, but no phone call, no offer to help — nothing!
I respect Brother #2’s wishes, and I try not to judge him. Maybe there were issues between my dad and him that I know nothing about. Yet I am astonished that even a gravely ill newborn baby didn’t elicit a different response.
Now I am starting to judge him. I think that he’s just a jerk and not worth a moment’s further thought.
I don’t like having something akin to hate on my heart. Am I missing a way forward here?
— Confused Brother
Dear Brother: One way forward would be for you to reach out in a more proactive way, where you would be hopeful of receiving some clarity, while remaining realistic about a murky outcome.
You could send an open-ended communication: “Hey, I’m in town with Graham and his family. Their little newborn is still in the hospital. Can we talk while I’m here?”
Your brother will either not respond at all, or he will wait until just before you leave the country and then give you a brief, noncommittal response. Then you can ask, “Are you OK? Is there something going on that you could tell me about?”
He may respond to these nonjudgmental queries in a way that gives you more to go on. When people withdraw and don’t explain why, it is tempting — and easiest — to jump to the harshest conclusion. You can certainly write off your brother as a selfish jerk, but you might as well wait until you have at least tried to connect.
Dear Amy: A former co-worker has moved into my area and wants to have a friendly relationship with my husband and me.
We had lunch one time and my husband and I were uncomfortable with the conversation.
Politically, this person is very conservative and vocal. We are not.
We have had no contact for many months until yesterday when I received an email saying they would like to get together “sooner rather than later.”
How can I tactfully decline and not hurt their feelings?
— Wondering
Dear Wondering: Many months after seeing you one time, this person has reached out and expressed the desire to get together at some point. They are not issuing a specific invitation or even asking a question, but basically putting out a vague feeler.
If you don’t want to forge a relationship, you can start the distancing process by not replying to this email quickly. Wait a few days and then respond with a noncommittal, “I’m so happy spring has finally sprung! I hope you’re doing well and adjusting to life here.”
If they issue a specific invitation, you could respond by saying, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think that would work out. I wish you all the best, but we don’t seem to have much in common to build an active friendship upon.”
Dear Amy: I was so cheered reading your previous “Best Of” column devoted to the stuffed animals from childhood that many of us have carried with us through life. Coincidentally, this column was published on the day that news of the coronavirus pandemic broke. It comforted me during a tough time.
— Comforted
Dear Comforted: I wish I still had my childhood “Teddy.”
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-03-31--Hobby Lobby remains open in defiance of Colorado’s stay-at-home order, highlighting uncertainty arou

Hobby Lobby remains open in defiance of Colorado’s stay-at-home order, highlighting uncertainty around mandate

Hobby Lobby locations across the Denver area were open to shoppers Monday despite the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov .
Jared Polis last week mandating all non-critical businesses shutter until April 11 .
The chain ’ s decision to stay open in the face of coronavirus social-distancing orders hasn ’ t gone unnoticed on social media .
Employees from locations nationwide have been outspoken on Twitter , claiming the company exploits loopholes in orders similar to Colorado ’ s to stay open .
People have shared photos of signs posted at Hobby Lobby stores that say they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making personal protective equipment and homeschooling supplies .
In Colorado , though , the answer is clear : Hobby Lobby and other crafty outfitters like it are not essential under Polis ’ public health order .
“ They are not exempt , ” Conor Cahill , the governor ’ s press secretary , confirmed Monday when asked about Hobby Lobby .
Managers at Hobby Lobby locations in Wheat Ridge , Lakewood and Englewood declined comment when The Denver Post asked why they were open .
Attempts to reach the chain ’ s corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s customer service line was “ not accepting phone calls at this time , ” according to a recorded message .
Uncertainty around what constitutes a critical versus non-critical establishment under the governor ’ s order has prompted a wave of complaints from locals .
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser ’ s office has received about 700 reports about businesses violating the stay-at-home order since Friday , he said .
Weiser would not disclose whether his office had taken reports about Hobby Lobby or if he plans to pursue action against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not going to get into individual cases.
” In Denver , the city and county enforcement team contacted 2,577 businesses and citizens about non-compliance as of Sunday , issuing 543 warnings and giving out four citations , according to the joint information center .
“ People are aware that we are here as a backstop and people feel an obligation to help us do the work of enforcing the public health order , ” Weiser said .
“ That ’ s how we are going to get through this.
” The governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail , manufacturing , finance and infrastructure operations deemed critical and allowed to operate during the coronavirus pandemic .
Here ’ s what to do if you suspect a business is violating the state ’ s order to close .
First , contact your local law enforcement and public health agency .
County-level leaders are the first line of defense when it comes to enforcing coronavirus-related regulations , Weiser said .
Most will try to work with the business to understand any discrepancies in compliance with the state ’ s executive order before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Violation of a public health order is a misdemeanor , punishable by a fine up to $ 1,000 or one year in jail .
Criminal penalties , however , are reserved for the most extreme cases that show “ a flat disregard for the law , ” Weiser said .
If you don ’ t hear from local authorities , send a note directly to the attorney general .
Local officials have had to react quickly to the rapidly changing situation around the coronavirus , and many enforcement teams are just getting off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report suspected violators , they may not be able to address every complaint .
Weiser ’ s office , too , is currently analyzing all of the reports it received .
People who don ’ t hear from their local officials in a timely manner are encouraged to email reports to covid19 @ coag.gov .

Hobby Lobby locations across the Denver area were open to shoppers Monday despite the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Jared Polis last week mandating all non-critical businesses shutter until April 11.
The chain’s decision to stay open in the face of coronavirus social-distancing orders hasn’t gone unnoticed on social media.
Employees from locations nationwide have been outspoken on Twitter, claiming the company exploits loopholes in orders similar to Colorado’s to stay open. People have shared photos of signs posted at Hobby Lobby stores that say they’re essential businesses because they sell materials for making personal protective equipment and homeschooling supplies.
In Colorado, though, the answer is clear: Hobby Lobby and other crafty outfitters like it are not essential under Polis’ public health order.
“They are not exempt,” Conor Cahill, the governor’s press secretary, confirmed Monday when asked about Hobby Lobby.
Managers at Hobby Lobby locations in Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Englewood declined comment when The Denver Post asked why they were open. Attempts to reach the chain’s corporate representatives were unsuccessful. And Hobby Lobby’s customer service line was “not accepting phone calls at this time,” according to a recorded message.
Uncertainty around what constitutes a critical versus non-critical establishment under the governor’s order has prompted a wave of complaints from locals. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office has received about 700 reports about businesses violating the stay-at-home order since Friday, he said.
Weiser would not disclose whether his office had taken reports about Hobby Lobby or if he plans to pursue action against the company, stating, “I’m not going to get into individual cases.”
In Denver, the city and county enforcement team contacted 2,577 businesses and citizens about non-compliance as of Sunday, issuing 543 warnings and giving out four citations, according to the joint information center.
“People are aware that we are here as a backstop and people feel an obligation to help us do the work of enforcing the public health order,” Weiser said. “That’s how we are going to get through this.”
The governor released a lengthy list of health, retail, manufacturing, finance and infrastructure operations deemed critical and allowed to operate during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s what to do if you suspect a business is violating the state’s order to close.
First, contact your local law enforcement and public health agency.
County-level leaders are the first line of defense when it comes to enforcing coronavirus-related regulations, Weiser said. Most will try to work with the business to understand any discrepancies in compliance with the state’s executive order before escalating to civil or criminal penalties.
Violation of a public health order is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or one year in jail. Criminal penalties, however, are reserved for the most extreme cases that show “a flat disregard for the law,” Weiser said.
If you don’t hear from local authorities, send a note directly to the attorney general.
Local officials have had to react quickly to the rapidly changing situation around the coronavirus, and many enforcement teams are just getting off the ground. While they encourage residents to report suspected violators, they may not be able to address every complaint.
Weiser’s office, too, is currently analyzing all of the reports it received. People who don’t hear from their local officials in a timely manner are encouraged to email reports to covid19@coag.gov.


thedenverpost--2020-03-31--Denver attorney Mike Farley, a low-income housing advocate, dies of coronavirus

Mike Farley didn ’ t complain on the way to the emergency room the morning of March 19 .
He joked .
And he called his younger brother , Phil , waking him .
“ He had this really great sense of humor , dark humor .
He was always quick with a pun .
Some were terrible ; some were great , ” Phil Farley said .
“ When I talked to him for the last time , he said , ‘ Well , it looks like you ’ re gon na have to clean up after me.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied quick enough to say , ‘ Oh , does that mean I get your liquor cabinet ?
’ ” Phil Farley added .
Swedish Medical Center admitted Farley that day with a fever and a persistent cough .
His wife of 59 years , Nancy , said he panicked .
Not because of the illness but because he hadn ’ t finished the book he had been reading .
“ He had me bring him several books so he would not be without a book in his hand , ” Nancy Farley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mike Farley died , one of Colorado ’ s 51 reported deaths from COVID-19 , the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus .
He was 87 .
Farley ’ s family rallied .
Their close bond kept them strong through his illness and it keeps them strong in his absence .
But they mourn for their lost brother , husband and father while urging others in Colorado and across the country to take the virus seriously .
Even at a recent , virtual wake for Farley , the jokes continued .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said , ‘ I think this is the first wake I ’ ve been to where you don ’ t have to have your pants on , ’ ” said Mike Farley ’ s daughter , Maggie Farley .
But for all the laughter , his work was serious business .
He spent decades as an estate attorney in Denver and as an advocate for racial equality , his family said .
He was also a strong proponent of providing housing for low-income families , serving as a founding board member for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a principled man , even in the face of adversity .
Maggie Farley , who lives in Maryland with her husband and children , said some opposed her father ’ s campaign for affordable housing so strongly that they threatened his life .
But still he carried on because it was the right thing to do .
“ He was an Irishman first of all .
That means he had a stubborn streak .
And he told jokes but they were mostly bad jokes , ” Nancy Farley said .
Mike Farley was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reader and a family man with a love of life , she added .
“ He loved to travel and wanted to see the world , ” Nancy Farley said .
“ He was very outgoing , social … and he just liked to be in conversation with people.
” Phil Farley recalled the time he borrowed his older brother ’ s 1955 black Ford and returned it with a damaged transmission .
“ It had overdrive , which allows it to coast really easily and you don ’ t have any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You could go as fast as you want , ” Phil Farley said .
“ He didn ’ t loan me his car again , but he certainly forgave me.
” The family shares fond memories of Farley , laughing often and uplifting one another .
Quarantines among different family members aren ’ t enough to keep them from chatting with one another online .
While communicating with her hospitalized father was difficult , if not impossible , Maggie Farley said one nurse took it upon herself to connect the family as Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ She called us all with her own phone and she let us listen to the last rites and we all got to say our goodbyes , ” Maggie Farley said .
“ That was amazing .
We ’ re just so grateful to her.
” It ’ s vital that Americans take the coronavirus threat seriously and work to cut its transmission however they can , Nancy Farley said .
“ It ’ s important for us , no matter what our political views are , to rise above all that divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so vulnerable , ” she said .

Mike Farley didn’t complain on the way to the emergency room the morning of March 19. He joked.
And he called his younger brother, Phil, waking him.
“He had this really great sense of humor, dark humor. He was always quick with a pun. Some were terrible; some were great,” Phil Farley said. “When I talked to him for the last time, he said, ‘Well, it looks like you’re gonna have to clean up after me.’”
“I wish I would have replied quick enough to say, ‘Oh, does that mean I get your liquor cabinet?’” Phil Farley added.
Swedish Medical Center admitted Farley that day with a fever and a persistent cough. His wife of 59 years, Nancy, said he panicked. Not because of the illness but because he hadn’t finished the book he had been reading.
“He had me bring him several books so he would not be without a book in his hand,” Nancy Farley said.
On Monday, March 23, Mike Farley died, one of Colorado’s 51 reported deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus. He was 87.
Farley’s family rallied. Their close bond kept them strong through his illness and it keeps them strong in his absence. But they mourn for their lost brother, husband and father while urging others in Colorado and across the country to take the virus seriously.
Even at a recent, virtual wake for Farley, the jokes continued.
“The best line was from my cousin who said, ‘I think this is the first wake I’ve been to where you don’t have to have your pants on,’” said Mike Farley’s daughter, Maggie Farley.
But for all the laughter, his work was serious business. He spent decades as an estate attorney in Denver and as an advocate for racial equality, his family said. He was also a strong proponent of providing housing for low-income families, serving as a founding board member for the Archdiocesan Housing Committee.
He was a principled man, even in the face of adversity. Maggie Farley, who lives in Maryland with her husband and children, said some opposed her father’s campaign for affordable housing so strongly that they threatened his life. But still he carried on because it was the right thing to do.
“He was an Irishman first of all. That means he had a stubborn streak. And he told jokes but they were mostly bad jokes,” Nancy Farley said.
Mike Farley was also a lifelong Democrat, a voracious reader and a family man with a love of life, she added.
“He loved to travel and wanted to see the world,” Nancy Farley said. “He was very outgoing, social … and he just liked to be in conversation with people.”
He didn’t hold a grudge.
Phil Farley recalled the time he borrowed his older brother’s 1955 black Ford and returned it with a damaged transmission.
“It had overdrive, which allows it to coast really easily and you don’t have any of that engine compression slowing you down. You could go as fast as you want,” Phil Farley said. “He didn’t loan me his car again, but he certainly forgave me.”
The family shares fond memories of Farley, laughing often and uplifting one another. Quarantines among different family members aren’t enough to keep them from chatting with one another online.
While communicating with her hospitalized father was difficult, if not impossible, Maggie Farley said one nurse took it upon herself to connect the family as Mike Farley’s time drew near.
“She called us all with her own phone and she let us listen to the last rites and we all got to say our goodbyes,” Maggie Farley said. “That was amazing. We’re just so grateful to her.”
It’s vital that Americans take the coronavirus threat seriously and work to cut its transmission however they can, Nancy Farley said.
“It’s important for us, no matter what our political views are, to rise above all that divide and realize that we’re all so vulnerable,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-31--With customers barred from auto showrooms, Stevinson dealerships cut 336 workers

Stevinson Automotive dismissed 336 workers at six dealerships across metro Denver on Monday , according to filings made with the Colorado Department of Labor .
They include 93 workers at Stevinson Toyota West in Lakewood ; 73 workers at Stevinson Toyota East in Aurora ; 71 at Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood ; 34 at Stevinson Lexus of Frederick ; 33 at Stevinson Chevrolet West in Lakewood ; and 32 at Stevinson Imports in Littleton .
Those layoff notices , made under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act , may represent only the tip of the iceberg in the auto retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association , estimates that between 8,000 to 9,000 auto retail workers are at risk of losing their jobs .
“ Our sales offices are completely closed down .
We can only do online sales with home delivery , ” Jackson said .
“ We can ’ t use all of the sales people because we can ’ t have the showrooms open.
” Dealerships can keep service bays and parts departments open , but even those are running at reduced capacity as households hunker down under a statewide shelter-in-place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toyota West , for example , let go of 14 lube techs and four parts drivers .
When China shut down its economy to contain the novel coronavirus , auto sales dropped 92 % in February , Jackson said .
And while restrictions aren ’ t as extreme in the U.S. , auto sales are expected to be down significantly .
They were already soft heading into the year , with new vehicle registrations down 2.8 % from 2018 , the first annual decline in three years , according to CADA .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or CARES Act passed last week contains something called the Paycheck Protection Program that allows small businesses with 500 or fewer employees to obtain a loan of up to 2.5 times the monthly payroll .
Portions of that loan , which carry an interest rate of 4 % , can be forgiven if the proceeds are used to keep workers employed .
Jackson said Stevinson Automotive had more than 500 employees and didn ’ t qualify .
But his hope is that smaller dealerships will take advantage , allowing them to have staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever the economy reopens .
Other WARN notices posted on Monday were for the Embassy Suites & Hilton Garden Inn in Boulder , which informed the state it was letting go of 126 workers last Friday , and the Holiday Inn Denver East Stapleton , which said it had dismissed two dozen people .
Welk Resorts , which operates timeshare properties in Breckenridge and Vail , said it had laid off 29 workers as of March 20 .
They join a growing list of hotels and resorts the state that have either shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower occupancy because of the outbreak .

Stevinson Automotive dismissed 336 workers at six dealerships across metro Denver on Monday, according to filings made with the Colorado Department of Labor.
They include 93 workers at Stevinson Toyota West in Lakewood; 73 workers at Stevinson Toyota East in Aurora; 71 at Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood; 34 at Stevinson Lexus of Frederick; 33 at Stevinson Chevrolet West in Lakewood; and 32 at Stevinson Imports in Littleton.
Those layoff notices, made under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, may represent only the tip of the iceberg in the auto retail industry. Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, estimates that between 8,000 to 9,000 auto retail workers are at risk of losing their jobs.
“Our sales offices are completely closed down. We can only do online sales with home delivery,” Jackson said. “We can’t use all of the sales people because we can’t have the showrooms open.”
Dealerships can keep service bays and parts departments open, but even those are running at reduced capacity as households hunker down under a statewide shelter-in-place order that started on Thursday. Stevinson Toyota West, for example, let go of 14 lube techs and four parts drivers.
When China shut down its economy to contain the novel coronavirus, auto sales dropped 92% in February, Jackson said. And while restrictions aren’t as extreme in the U.S., auto sales are expected to be down significantly.
They were already soft heading into the year, with new vehicle registrations down 2.8% from 2018, the first annual decline in three years, according to CADA.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security or CARES Act passed last week contains something called the Paycheck Protection Program that allows small businesses with 500 or fewer employees to obtain a loan of up to 2.5 times the monthly payroll.
Portions of that loan, which carry an interest rate of 4%, can be forgiven if the proceeds are used to keep workers employed. Jackson said Stevinson Automotive had more than 500 employees and didn’t qualify. But his hope is that smaller dealerships will take advantage, allowing them to have staff in place to deal with pent-up demand whenever the economy reopens.
Other WARN notices posted on Monday were for the Embassy Suites & Hilton Garden Inn in Boulder, which informed the state it was letting go of 126 workers last Friday, and the Holiday Inn Denver East Stapleton, which said it had dismissed two dozen people. Welk Resorts, which operates timeshare properties in Breckenridge and Vail, said it had laid off 29 workers as of March 20.
They join a growing list of hotels and resorts the state that have either shut down or trimmed staff significantly due to lower occupancy because of the outbreak.


thedenverpost--2020-03-31--Cory Gardner once opposed economic stimulus bills. Not anymore.

In early 2010 , Cory Gardner sent an email to supporters that criticized his Democratic opponent , U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey , for supporting “ the most expensive spending bill in the history of the United States , ” an economic stimulus package that cost upward of $ 800 billion .
“ The stimulus has failed .
But anyone with common sense knew it would fail — you simply can ’ t spend your way out of a recession , ” Gardner said then , a popular refrain from a popular Republican candidate who went on to win that November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s economy careening toward recession , now-Sen. Gardner adamantly supported the most expensive spending bill in the history of the United States , a roughly $ 2.2 trillion economic stimulus package , last week .
This time , he says , it ’ s different .
“ You had people who , back then , were doing bad things and then turned around and tried to get a bailout , ” Gardner said in an interview last week .
He contrasted that with workers today harmed “ through no fault of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice of their government ” to remain home and close their businesses .
There is no reason to believe Gardner ’ s support for this year ’ s $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill will hurt his November re-election odds .
The senator does not face a viable Republican challenger and the economic stimulus has been popular , supported by President Donald Trump as well as Gardner ’ s top Democratic opponents .
“ We need to get this country moving again , ” Gardner said .
That was the argument in 2008 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills were not bipartisan then , as they were this month .
Instead , they gave rise to the Tea Party movement , its adherents convinced that government spending could soon send the nation over a fiscal cliff .
Gardner was concerned about that , too .
“ From town hall meetings to coffee shops to neighborhoods , all I hear are worries about too much spending and the growth of government , ” he told The Denver Post in the fall of 2010 .
Jason Bane , a Democratic consultant , played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare for the Yuma Republican , who at the time was a state legislator .
“ If the question was , ‘ What ’ s your favorite color ?
’ I ’ d say , ‘ Well , look , Betsy Markey voted for the stimulus bill and you can ’ t spend your way out of a recession.
’ That ’ s all he did .
So that , in effect , is what I would do , ” Bane recalls of the debate prep .
“ It played fairly well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardner ’ s anti-stimulus stance .
There were two massive stimulus bills in the late 2000s : the bank bailout of 2008 , before Markey was in office , and a stimulus package in 2009 , which she voted for .
Markey is now executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade .
She did not respond to an interview request Monday .
Today , few Republicans in Congress share the same repulsion to massive government stimulus packages that nearly all Republicans did a decade ago .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bill is Rep. Ken Buck , a Windsor Republican who represents the same Eastern Plains congressional district that Markey and Gardner once did .
“ One thing that should be concerning to every American is that we now have $ 1 trillion of deficit spending being added to our national debt every year , ” Buck said in an interview with The Post earlier this month .
That number does not include the $ 2.2 trillion that Congress and the president approved last week .
“ We are going to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will have a serious problem trying to deal with issues like this .
We have got to be more responsible in this conversation , ” said Buck , who is also chair of the Colorado Republican Party .

In early 2010, Cory Gardner sent an email to supporters that criticized his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, for supporting “the most expensive spending bill in the history of the United States,” an economic stimulus package that cost upward of $800 billion.
“The stimulus has failed. But anyone with common sense knew it would fail — you simply can’t spend your way out of a recession,” Gardner said then, a popular refrain from a popular Republican candidate who went on to win that November.
A decade later, with America’s economy careening toward recession, now-Sen. Gardner adamantly supported the most expensive spending bill in the history of the United States, a roughly $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package, last week.
This time, he says, it’s different.
“You had people who, back then, were doing bad things and then turned around and tried to get a bailout,” Gardner said in an interview last week. He contrasted that with workers today harmed “through no fault of their own” while “adhering to the advice of their government” to remain home and close their businesses.
There is no reason to believe Gardner’s support for this year’s $2.2 trillion stimulus bill will hurt his November re-election odds. The senator does not face a viable Republican challenger and the economic stimulus has been popular, supported by President Donald Trump as well as Gardner’s top Democratic opponents.
“We need to get this country moving again,” Gardner said.
That was the argument in 2008 and 2009, too. But economic stimulus bills were not bipartisan then, as they were this month. Instead, they gave rise to the Tea Party movement, its adherents convinced that government spending could soon send the nation over a fiscal cliff. Gardner was concerned about that, too.
“From town hall meetings to coffee shops to neighborhoods, all I hear are worries about too much spending and the growth of government,” he told The Denver Post in the fall of 2010.
Jason Bane, a Democratic consultant, played Gardner in mock debates to help Markey prepare for the Yuma Republican, who at the time was a state legislator.
“If the question was, ‘What’s your favorite color?’ I’d say, ‘Well, look, Betsy Markey voted for the stimulus bill and you can’t spend your way out of a recession.’ That’s all he did. So that, in effect, is what I would do,” Bane recalls of the debate prep.
“It played fairly well in the district,” he said of Gardner’s anti-stimulus stance.
There were two massive stimulus bills in the late 2000s: the bank bailout of 2008, before Markey was in office, and a stimulus package in 2009, which she voted for. Markey is now executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. She did not respond to an interview request Monday.
Today, few Republicans in Congress share the same repulsion to massive government stimulus packages that nearly all Republicans did a decade ago. One of the few who stood against last week’s bill is Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor Republican who represents the same Eastern Plains congressional district that Markey and Gardner once did.
“One thing that should be concerning to every American is that we now have $1 trillion of deficit spending being added to our national debt every year,” Buck said in an interview with The Post earlier this month. That number does not include the $2.2 trillion that Congress and the president approved last week.
“We are going to become insolvent as a country, and then we will have a serious problem trying to deal with issues like this. We have got to be more responsible in this conversation,” said Buck, who is also chair of the Colorado Republican Party.