thedenverpost--2020-11-18--Denver Public Schools to send all students to remote learning after Thanksgiving break

Denver Public Schools is moving the few grades still attending in-person classes back to a fully remote format , the district announced Wednesday .
Beginning Nov. 30 , students in kindergarten , first and second grade will tune into their classes virtually .
Third- through fifth-graders will remain in remote learning through the end of the semester .
DPS will not offer early childhood education classes online , but the district said families will receive supports for conducting at-home instruction .
The transition to remote applies to all programs , including special education and newcomer center programs .
The decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado .
On Tuesday , the state announced updates to its color-coded dial system that place increased restrictions on businesses and gatherings in a number of counties , including Denver .
Gov .
Jared Polis said that schools should remain in-person for kindergarten through fifth grades even in Level Red counties .
However , outgoing Superintendent Susana Cordova said in a note to families Wednesday that increased rates of COVID-19 and quarantines have caused staffing shortages that no longer make in-person learning feasible .
“ In September , we were seeing about 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up ECE centers .
We are now seeing over 300 cases per week , ” Cordova wrote .
“ This deeply challenges our ability to operate our schools .
And we ’ ve already had to close many schools because we lack the staff to run them , due to required quarantines and the shortage of available substitutes.
” In-person learning at DPS has been on-again , off-again since the fall semester began in August , as the rate of COVID-19 has fluctuated .
The district originally delayed the start of in-person learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually phase in its youngest students in late September .
By mid-October , however , DPS canceled in-person classes for middle and high school students .
By the end of the month , it returned third- through fifth-graders to remote learning .
Denver Public Schools was among the first districts to move students predominantly to remote education — much to the chagrin of many parents — as Colorado experienced a new wave of COVID-19 infections .
Around the metro area , Cherry Creek School District , Aurora Public Schools , Sheridan School District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Adams County School District 14 and Adams 12 Five Star Schools have recently moved their classes online .

Denver Public Schools is moving the few grades still attending in-person classes back to a fully remote format, the district announced Wednesday.
Beginning Nov. 30, students in kindergarten, first and second grade will tune into their classes virtually. Third- through fifth-graders will remain in remote learning through the end of the semester. DPS will not offer early childhood education classes online, but the district said families will receive supports for conducting at-home instruction. The transition to remote applies to all programs, including special education and newcomer center programs.
The decision comes as cases and hospitalizations surge across Colorado. On Tuesday, the state announced updates to its color-coded dial system that place increased restrictions on businesses and gatherings in a number of counties, including Denver.
Gov. Jared Polis said that schools should remain in-person for kindergarten through fifth grades even in Level Red counties. However, outgoing Superintendent Susana Cordova said in a note to families Wednesday that increased rates of COVID-19 and quarantines have caused staffing shortages that no longer make in-person learning feasible.
“In September, we were seeing about 13 cases per week when we first opened up ECE centers. We are now seeing over 300 cases per week,” Cordova wrote. “This deeply challenges our ability to operate our schools. And we’ve already had to close many schools because we lack the staff to run them, due to required quarantines and the shortage of available substitutes.”
In-person learning at DPS has been on-again, off-again since the fall semester began in August, as the rate of COVID-19 has fluctuated. The district originally delayed the start of in-person learning for all grades before it began to gradually phase in its youngest students in late September. By mid-October, however, DPS canceled in-person classes for middle and high school students. By the end of the month, it returned third- through fifth-graders to remote learning.
Denver Public Schools was among the first districts to move students predominantly to remote education — much to the chagrin of many parents — as Colorado experienced a new wave of COVID-19 infections. Around the metro area, Cherry Creek School District, Aurora Public Schools, Sheridan School District No. 2, Westminster Public Schools, Adams County School District 14 and Adams 12 Five Star Schools have recently moved their classes online.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Will social distancing weaken my immune system?

Some worry a lack of contact with others will weaken their immune system by reducing its active contact with germs .
But even when we ’ re staying 6 feet from others or spending most of our time at home , our bodies are continuously responding to plenty of bacteria and other germs that inhabit indoor and outdoor environments .
“ We ’ re constantly exposed to microbes , ” said Akiko Iwasaki , an immune system researcher at Yale University .
“ Our immune system is always being triggered.
” The effects of childhood vaccines and other built-up immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and won ’ t disappear overnight because we ’ re keeping our distance from others during the pandemic .
Experts say anyone looking to boost their immune health during the pandemic should practice habits such as stress management , healthy eating , regular exercise and getting enough sleep .
“ These are the things that actually affect the immune system , ” Iwasaki said .
A seasonal flu shot will also help protect you from one more potential illness .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Will social distancing weaken my immune system?
In short, no.
Some worry a lack of contact with others will weaken their immune system by reducing its active contact with germs.
But even when we’re staying 6 feet from others or spending most of our time at home, our bodies are continuously responding to plenty of bacteria and other germs that inhabit indoor and outdoor environments.
“We’re constantly exposed to microbes,” said Akiko Iwasaki, an immune system researcher at Yale University. “Our immune system is always being triggered.”
The effects of childhood vaccines and other built-up immunity are also long-lasting, Iwasaki said, and won’t disappear overnight because we’re keeping our distance from others during the pandemic.
Experts say anyone looking to boost their immune health during the pandemic should practice habits such as stress management, healthy eating, regular exercise and getting enough sleep.
“These are the things that actually affect the immune system,” Iwasaki said.
A seasonal flu shot will also help protect you from one more potential illness.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--COVID-19 outbreaks growing again in Colorado nursing homes, assisted living facilities

Colorado is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 outbreaks , with nursing homes and assisted living facilities once again seeing growing clusters of infection among residents — raising the odds that high death tolls await this winter .
New data released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed 57 nursing homes were experiencing outbreaks of the novel coronavirus , as were 58 assisted living facilities , some of which have units for patients with dementia .
A week earlier , 43 facilities of each type reported outbreaks .
Ten of the current outbreaks in nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents , and seven have recorded 10 or more deaths .
When the new coronavirus first arrived in Colorado , it hit long-term care facilities particularly hard .
Nursing home residents accounted for a disproportionate share of deaths , likely because the odds of dying from the virus increase with age .
Over the summer , outbreaks shifted toward locations that the general public frequents , like stores and restaurants , and the pace of new deaths decreased as infections clustered in younger age groups .
Doug Farmer , president and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term care facilities are in a better position than they were in the spring , because they have more consistent access to personal protective equipment and testing .
Still , the best defense is to keep the virus from spreading widely outside facilities , by wearing masks and practicing social distancing , he said .
“ If we can control the spread in the general community , we have a much better chance of controlling it in the long-term care communities , ” he said .
Now , with the virus spreading in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to facilities that house a medically vulnerable population .
The number of outbreaks in long-term facilities tracks closely with the level of spread in the general community , which has reached levels never before seen in Colorado , state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said .
“ The risk there is primarily through staff who may be exposed in the community and then unknowingly — because oftentimes this infection , unfortunately , is asymptomatic , so we don ’ t have any signs to notice to stay home — those workers could potentially introduce that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Colorado reported 4,035 new coronavirus cases Wednesday .
The seven-day average of new cases has grown more slowly in the last few days than in recent weeks , though it ’ s not yet clear if that represents the start of a plateau .
Deaths also don ’ t appear to be increasing as quickly , though the reporting lag with fatalities makes it difficult to identify trends .
Statewide , 1,428 people were hospitalized Wednesday with confirmed cases of COVID-19 , breaking a record set the day before .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set a new high , with 86 % occupied .
At the height of the initial spring wave , about 73 % of ICU beds were in use , though some of the difference could be because hospitals haven ’ t stopped doing elective surgeries across the board .
“ We are at the highest point in hospitalizations in the course of this pandemic , ” said Scott Bookman , Colorado ’ s COVID-19 incident commander .
“ Our health care system is beginning to feel the stress.
” New outbreaks surged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active in the week ending Wednesday .
That was an increase of 223 compared to a week earlier .
The state defines an outbreak as two or more cases linked to the same location or event .
An outbreak isn ’ t over until four weeks have passed with no new cases linked to it .
This week ’ s increase included 53 new outbreaks related to K-12 schools , bringing the total to 163 active clusters .
Child care and correctional facilities also showed an increase in outbreaks .
One small bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the number of outbreaks declared over exceeded newly discovered ones .
Outbreaks in Pikes Peak Community College ’ s and Trinidad State Junior College ’ s nursing programs were declared over , while a new outbreak was found in biology labs at Community College of Aurora .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Colorado is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 outbreaks, with nursing homes and assisted living facilities once again seeing growing clusters of infection among residents — raising the odds that high death tolls await this winter.
New data released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed 57 nursing homes were experiencing outbreaks of the novel coronavirus, as were 58 assisted living facilities, some of which have units for patients with dementia. A week earlier, 43 facilities of each type reported outbreaks.
Ten of the current outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities involve 50 or more residents, and seven have recorded 10 or more deaths.
When the new coronavirus first arrived in Colorado, it hit long-term care facilities particularly hard. Nursing home residents accounted for a disproportionate share of deaths, likely because the odds of dying from the virus increase with age. Over the summer, outbreaks shifted toward locations that the general public frequents, like stores and restaurants, and the pace of new deaths decreased as infections clustered in younger age groups.
Doug Farmer, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Care Association, said long-term care facilities are in a better position than they were in the spring, because they have more consistent access to personal protective equipment and testing. Still, the best defense is to keep the virus from spreading widely outside facilities, by wearing masks and practicing social distancing, he said.
“If we can control the spread in the general community, we have a much better chance of controlling it in the long-term care communities,” he said.
Now, with the virus spreading in all age groups, outbreaks are returning to facilities that house a medically vulnerable population. The number of outbreaks in long-term facilities tracks closely with the level of spread in the general community, which has reached levels never before seen in Colorado, state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said.
“The risk there is primarily through staff who may be exposed in the community and then unknowingly — because oftentimes this infection, unfortunately, is asymptomatic, so we don’t have any signs to notice to stay home — those workers could potentially introduce that virus into a facility,” she said.
Colorado reported 4,035 new coronavirus cases Wednesday. The seven-day average of new cases has grown more slowly in the last few days than in recent weeks, though it’s not yet clear if that represents the start of a plateau. Deaths also don’t appear to be increasing as quickly, though the reporting lag with fatalities makes it difficult to identify trends.
Statewide, 1,428 people were hospitalized Wednesday with confirmed cases of COVID-19, breaking a record set the day before. The percentage of intensive-care beds in use also set a new high, with 86% occupied. At the height of the initial spring wave, about 73% of ICU beds were in use, though some of the difference could be because hospitals haven’t stopped doing elective surgeries across the board.
“We are at the highest point in hospitalizations in the course of this pandemic,” said Scott Bookman, Colorado’s COVID-19 incident commander. “Our health care system is beginning to feel the stress.”
New outbreaks surged in November, with 958 clusters reported as active in the week ending Wednesday. That was an increase of 223 compared to a week earlier.
The state defines an outbreak as two or more cases linked to the same location or event. An outbreak isn’t over until four weeks have passed with no new cases linked to it.
This week’s increase included 53 new outbreaks related to K-12 schools, bringing the total to 163 active clusters. Child care and correctional facilities also showed an increase in outbreaks.
One small bright spot was in colleges and universities, where the number of outbreaks declared over exceeded newly discovered ones. Outbreaks in Pikes Peak Community College’s and Trinidad State Junior College’s nursing programs were declared over, while a new outbreak was found in biology labs at Community College of Aurora.
Denver Post reporter Jessica Seaman contributed to this report.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Thanksgiving weather preview: Does the pattern promote outdoor family fun in Denver?

Thanksgiving is now less than one week away .
Turkey , the favorite fixings and pumpkin pie are not canceled , but the ongoing pandemic and recent spike in COVID-19 cases will surely make the holiday look different for many families this year .
However , the Colorado weather pattern could help make Thanksgiving feel closer to normal by allowing for things to be taken outside .
Early signs for next week look promising , with a good chance of basking in warmth and being stuffed with sunshine .
The Climate Prediction Center ’ s eight- to 14-day outlook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high probability of above-normal temperatures across most of the country , including Colorado .
The average high in Denver on Nov. 26 is an autumnal 47 degrees .
So while the warm forecast does not necessarily equate to this week ’ s 70-degree warmth , highs in the 50s and 60s for the holiday are well within the realm of possibility .
The pattern also looks to be on the dry side later next week , with the main storm track staying well to the north of Colorado .
This would keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This prospective mild and dry weather for Thanksgiving could be conducive to a nice afternoon family feast on the porch .
If your plans do safely include extended family , backyard activities could be in order as well .
Some examples might feature a socially-distant game of cornhole , or setting up a projector screen to watch the Thanksgiving Day football games outside .
If a later feast is in your family ’ s plans , an outdoor heater or two should be enough to take the evening chill away , with temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40s around traditional dinner times .
We will continue to provide more detailed updates on the Thanksgiving Day forecast as it gets closer .
But as of right now , Mother Nature looks to be cooking up a “ gourd-geous ” outlook for Colorado .

Thanksgiving is now less than one week away. Turkey, the favorite fixings and pumpkin pie are not canceled, but the ongoing pandemic and recent spike in COVID-19 cases will surely make the holiday look different for many families this year.
However, the Colorado weather pattern could help make Thanksgiving feel closer to normal by allowing for things to be taken outside. Early signs for next week look promising, with a good chance of basking in warmth and being stuffed with sunshine.
The Climate Prediction Center’s eight- to 14-day outlook, including Thanksgiving Day, calls for a high probability of above-normal temperatures across most of the country, including Colorado.
Warm #Thanksgiving2020 for much of the country…anyone else planning on an outdoor, socially distant celebration? pic.twitter.com/dTSWfgTyhi — Chris Bianchi (@BianchiWeather) November 17, 2020
The average high in Denver on Nov. 26 is an autumnal 47 degrees. So while the warm forecast does not necessarily equate to this week’s 70-degree warmth, highs in the 50s and 60s for the holiday are well within the realm of possibility.
The pattern also looks to be on the dry side later next week, with the main storm track staying well to the north of Colorado. This would keep the state free of any precipitation threats.
This prospective mild and dry weather for Thanksgiving could be conducive to a nice afternoon family feast on the porch. If your plans do safely include extended family, backyard activities could be in order as well. Some examples might feature a socially-distant game of cornhole, or setting up a projector screen to watch the Thanksgiving Day football games outside.
If a later feast is in your family’s plans, an outdoor heater or two should be enough to take the evening chill away, with temperatures likely only slipping into the 30s and 40s around traditional dinner times.
We will continue to provide more detailed updates on the Thanksgiving Day forecast as it gets closer. But as of right now, Mother Nature looks to be cooking up a “gourd-geous” outlook for Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Centerplate cutting 276 food service workers in Denver, including at convention center, arts complex

As more of the state falls under tighter restrictions to combat the surge in COVID-19 infections , some employers are reverting to a strategy common last spring — letting go of workers .
Centerplate , a Sodexo Company , informed the Colorado Department of Labor on Tuesday that it was laying off 276 food service workers employed at the Colorado Convention Center , Denver Performance Arts Complex and Prelude + Post restaurant , formerly known as the Limelight Supper Club and Lounge .
“ Colorado , continues to be significantly impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic with no known recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” David Winarski , vice president of human resources at the South Carolina company , informed the state in a letter made under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act .
The positions , scheduled to end on or around Dec. 16 , and include 59 bartenders , 45 cooks , 20 stewards and 17 banquet servers .
“ While we are hopeful this layoff will be temporary in nature , we are unable to predict a possible return date at this time .
This information is based on the best information currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to subsequent events beyond our control , ” Winarski said .
Fifteen Colorado counties , including all of metro Denver , will shift to a Level Red status on Friday .
The order will ban personal gatherings of any size , cap offices to 10 % of their normal occupancy and prohibit restaurants from offering in-person dining , among other things .
The state also created a new Level Purple that triggers a full-blown stay-at-home order , something Gov .
Jared Polis said would only be invoked if hospitals exceeded capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ net the federal government provided in the early months of the pandemic .
An additional $ 600 a week in federal unemployment benefits expired in late July and the Paycheck Protection Program that provided employers forgivable loans to cover payroll ended on Aug. 8 .
Democrats and Republicans in Congress remain divided on who should receive assistance and how much money should be provided .
Some businesses , however , remain in a hiring mode .
Walmart said it has hired about 157,000 associates , including 670 in Colorado , to fill pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to not risk exposure by entering a store during the holiday season .
The jobs pay $ 13 an hour and have the potential to become permanent .
“ This holiday , more than ever , we know how important it will be for customers to use time-saving services like pickup and delivery – and we ’ re prepared to serve them with more than double the number of personal shoppers versus last year , ” Tom Ward , a senior vice president of customer product at Walmart , said in a blog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walmart has added more than 500,000 new associates and another 20,000 seasonal workers for its e-commerce fulfillment centers .

As more of the state falls under tighter restrictions to combat the surge in COVID-19 infections, some employers are reverting to a strategy common last spring — letting go of workers.
Centerplate, a Sodexo Company, informed the Colorado Department of Labor on Tuesday that it was laying off 276 food service workers employed at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver Performance Arts Complex and Prelude + Post restaurant, formerly known as the Limelight Supper Club and Lounge.
“Colorado, continues to be significantly impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic with no known recovery date, thus causing employment losses,” David Winarski, vice president of human resources at the South Carolina company, informed the state in a letter made under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The positions, scheduled to end on or around Dec. 16, and include 59 bartenders, 45 cooks, 20 stewards and 17 banquet servers.
“While we are hopeful this layoff will be temporary in nature, we are unable to predict a possible return date at this time. This information is based on the best information currently available to us, but may change due to subsequent events beyond our control,” Winarski said.
Fifteen Colorado counties, including all of metro Denver, will shift to a Level Red status on Friday. The order will ban personal gatherings of any size, cap offices to 10% of their normal occupancy and prohibit restaurants from offering in-person dining, among other things. The state also created a new Level Purple that triggers a full-blown stay-at-home order, something Gov. Jared Polis said would only be invoked if hospitals exceeded capacity.
Businesses and employees alike lack the safety net the federal government provided in the early months of the pandemic. An additional $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits expired in late July and the Paycheck Protection Program that provided employers forgivable loans to cover payroll ended on Aug. 8.
Democrats and Republicans in Congress remain divided on who should receive assistance and how much money should be provided.
Some businesses, however, remain in a hiring mode. Walmart said it has hired about 157,000 associates, including 670 in Colorado, to fill pickup and delivery orders from customers who prefer to not risk exposure by entering a store during the holiday season. The jobs pay $13 an hour and have the potential to become permanent.
“This holiday, more than ever, we know how important it will be for customers to use time-saving services like pickup and delivery – and we’re prepared to serve them with more than double the number of personal shoppers versus last year,” Tom Ward, a senior vice president of customer product at Walmart, said in a blog post.
Since the pandemic struck, Walmart has added more than 500,000 new associates and another 20,000 seasonal workers for its e-commerce fulfillment centers.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Colorado’s young voters turned out in record numbers, largest in the state

When 18-year-old Apshara Siwakoti cast her ballot on Nov. 3 , she felt a sense of relief .
Up until the day before , she didn ’ t think she could vote .
Siwakoti immigrated with her family to the United States at the age of 8 after leaving a refugee camp in Nepal .
She became a naturalized citizen in 2018 when her mother obtained her citizenship .
But Siwakoti was still waiting for the paperwork , even though it had been approved .
And she thought — and was incorrectly informed — she would need it to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phone call from a campaign telling her she was registered .
“ It felt really , really powerful , ” Siwakoti said of voting .
“ I felt like I belong here .
I felt like I actually have a home when I cast my ballot , so it was really powerful for me.
” Colorado ’ s youth turned out to vote in record numbers this year , and at one of the highest rates in the country .
Nationwide , young voters — particularly those of color — fueled President-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to early research from Tufts University ’ s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement .
Experts credit a variety of factors for the high level of engagement , including targeted turnout efforts .
In Colorado , voter turnout increased across the board this year , but the level of enthusiasm was most apparent in younger voters , said Robert Preuhs , a political science professor at Metropolitan State University .
“ For the most part , what we saw is a relatively energized youth vote and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that one of the key predictors of voting is whether you voted in the past or whether folks have established a habit early on , ” he said .
About 70 % of registered 18- to 34-year-old Coloradans cast ballots in the 2020 election , a 9 percentage point increase from 2016 , when turnout was 61 % , according to New Era Colorado , the largest young voter registration organization in the state .
The nonprofit advocates for progressive policies .
Their share of the vote was 27 % of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest voting bloc in the state , said Nicole Hensel , executive director of New Era Colorado .
Hensel wasn ’ t surprised .
The state saw record youth turnout in 2018 , and young people , particularly Black activists , led the police reform and racial justice protests that sprang up in Colorado and across the country after George Floyd ’ s killing in May .
“ Young people are not really driven by political parties or candidates .
They ’ re driven by issues , ” Hensel said .
Both Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in Colorado , particularly on college campuses , but only a third of voters ages 18 to 29 cast ballots for President Donald Trump , according to Tufts ’ data from Nov. 6 .
Preuhs said some of the young vote that went to Biden was probably carryover from their excitement about Bernie Sanders .
And , as with other demographic groups , an urgency to vote against Trump affected turnout , Preuhs noted .
In 2016 , youth and people of color did not turn out in the numbers Democrats expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more concerted effort to reach them in 2020 .
Asian-American youth , in particular , showed strong engagement this election , according to the Tufts data .
For Vietnamese American Chloe Nguyen , getting to vote in her first presidential election at 21 helped her feel like she was making her voice heard for herself and her immigrant parents .
“ In 2016 , it was hard being a bystander because I was just 17 on the brink of turning 18 , ” the University of Denver student said .
“ Watching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt terrible knowing that I was only a few months away from my 18th birthday and I couldn ’ t do anything.
” Volunteers with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Action Fund talked to 186,000 voters this election cycle and reached another 458,000 through digital ads .
They were mostly young voters of color .
“ I knew that when I joined this campaign , I wanted to do everything that I could to think about how are people reaching out to me and my peers and how can I work off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said 26-year-old Ian Pham , communications and development manager .
Pham believes young people aren ’ t contacted enough , and there were a lot of issues that really mattered to immigrant communities on the line this year .
Part of CIRC Action ’ s work is also about ensuring Colorado ’ s leaders better reflect the communities they serve .
“ More and more people are seeing how their vote is just one way to use their voice in this country , ” he said .
As other groups were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Era Colorado switched many of its efforts online .
While that limited voter outreach , it helped groups meet Generation Z and younger millennials where they were at : on social media .
The Colorado Votes Act , passed by Democratic lawmakers last year , also added voting centers and drop boxes at every college campus , expanded voting in primaries to 17-year-olds who would be 18 by the time of the general election and increased voting access on tribal lands .
“ We love to see record youth turnout and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate for centering a youth agenda in the minds of our elected officials , ” Hensel said .
But that work has to go beyond Election Day , organizers say .
Research shows that people who vote in the first three elections they ’ re eligible to vote in will likely vote for the rest of their lives .
“ Voting is something that takes practice in order for it to become habit , ” Hensel said .
Eighteen of Colorado ’ s college campuses have taken part in the ALL IN Campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining more than 800 others across the country .
Metro State received an award in 2016 for having the highest undergraduate student voting rate : 65.3 % .
In 2018 , the university was recognized for having the highest voting rate among large four-year public institutions : 65.9 % .
Ryan Drysdale , assistant director of the challenge , credits the university ’ s work on voter engagement outside of election seasons .
“ The excitement we saw in 2018 and 2020 may dissipate in the future , ” Drysdale said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work campuses do year-round needs to be strong to make sure turnout remains high.
” Doing that is less challenging in Colorado , Drysdale said , because it ’ s so easy to register and vote in the state .
That also means advocacy groups can focus their efforts on educating voters about the candidates and the issues .
That ’ s the experience Mayra Valdez , a 22-year-old senior at MSU , had as she helped others register and learn about the election .
She ’ s part of IGNITE , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politically engaged .
Valdez , a DACA recipient , isn ’ t eligible to vote herself , but she made it her mission to help others , particularly voters of color .
Young people were motivated this year , she said .
“ I think they finally realized we have the power to dictate the direction this country goes to , ” she said .

When 18-year-old Apshara Siwakoti cast her ballot on Nov. 3, she felt a sense of relief. Up until the day before, she didn’t think she could vote.
Siwakoti immigrated with her family to the United States at the age of 8 after leaving a refugee camp in Nepal. She became a naturalized citizen in 2018 when her mother obtained her citizenship.
But Siwakoti was still waiting for the paperwork, even though it had been approved. And she thought — and was incorrectly informed — she would need it to vote. On Nov. 2, she received a phone call from a campaign telling her she was registered.
“It felt really, really powerful,” Siwakoti said of voting. “I felt like I belong here. I felt like I actually have a home when I cast my ballot, so it was really powerful for me.”
Colorado’s youth turned out to vote in record numbers this year, and at one of the highest rates in the country. Nationwide, young voters — particularly those of color — fueled President-elect Joe Biden’s path to victory, according to early research from Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Experts credit a variety of factors for the high level of engagement, including targeted turnout efforts.
In Colorado, voter turnout increased across the board this year, but the level of enthusiasm was most apparent in younger voters, said Robert Preuhs, a political science professor at Metropolitan State University.
“For the most part, what we saw is a relatively energized youth vote and the benefit of this is actually going forward in that one of the key predictors of voting is whether you voted in the past or whether folks have established a habit early on,” he said.
About 70% of registered 18- to 34-year-old Coloradans cast ballots in the 2020 election, a 9 percentage point increase from 2016, when turnout was 61%, according to New Era Colorado, the largest young voter registration organization in the state. The nonprofit advocates for progressive policies.
Their share of the vote was 27% of all ballots cast, cementing them as the largest voting bloc in the state, said Nicole Hensel, executive director of New Era Colorado.
Hensel wasn’t surprised. The state saw record youth turnout in 2018, and young people, particularly Black activists, led the police reform and racial justice protests that sprang up in Colorado and across the country after George Floyd’s killing in May.
“Young people are not really driven by political parties or candidates. They’re driven by issues,” Hensel said.
Both Democratic and Republican campaigns worked to engage younger voters in Colorado, particularly on college campuses, but only a third of voters ages 18 to 29 cast ballots for President Donald Trump, according to Tufts’ data from Nov. 6.
Preuhs said some of the young vote that went to Biden was probably carryover from their excitement about Bernie Sanders.
And, as with other demographic groups, an urgency to vote against Trump affected turnout, Preuhs noted. In 2016, youth and people of color did not turn out in the numbers Democrats expected, so they tried to make a more concerted effort to reach them in 2020.
Asian-American youth, in particular, showed strong engagement this election, according to the Tufts data.
For Vietnamese American Chloe Nguyen, getting to vote in her first presidential election at 21 helped her feel like she was making her voice heard for herself and her immigrant parents.
“In 2016, it was hard being a bystander because I was just 17 on the brink of turning 18,” the University of Denver student said. “Watching the results, I felt disappointed and I felt terrible knowing that I was only a few months away from my 18th birthday and I couldn’t do anything.”
Volunteers with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Action Fund talked to 186,000 voters this election cycle and reached another 458,000 through digital ads. They were mostly young voters of color.
“I knew that when I joined this campaign, I wanted to do everything that I could to think about how are people reaching out to me and my peers and how can I work off of that and make this campaign more successful,” said 26-year-old Ian Pham, communications and development manager.
Pham believes young people aren’t contacted enough, and there were a lot of issues that really mattered to immigrant communities on the line this year. Part of CIRC Action’s work is also about ensuring Colorado’s leaders better reflect the communities they serve.
“More and more people are seeing how their vote is just one way to use their voice in this country,” he said.
As other groups were forced to do because of COVID-19, New Era Colorado switched many of its efforts online. While that limited voter outreach, it helped groups meet Generation Z and younger millennials where they were at: on social media.
The Colorado Votes Act, passed by Democratic lawmakers last year, also added voting centers and drop boxes at every college campus, expanded voting in primaries to 17-year-olds who would be 18 by the time of the general election and increased voting access on tribal lands.
“We love to see record youth turnout and what we hope that translates into is a mandate for centering a youth agenda in the minds of our elected officials,” Hensel said.
But that work has to go beyond Election Day, organizers say. Research shows that people who vote in the first three elections they’re eligible to vote in will likely vote for the rest of their lives.
“Voting is something that takes practice in order for it to become habit,” Hensel said.
Eighteen of Colorado’s college campuses have taken part in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge to encourage that habit, joining more than 800 others across the country. Metro State received an award in 2016 for having the highest undergraduate student voting rate: 65.3%. In 2018, the university was recognized for having the highest voting rate among large four-year public institutions: 65.9%.
Ryan Drysdale, assistant director of the challenge, credits the university’s work on voter engagement outside of election seasons.
“The excitement we saw in 2018 and 2020 may dissipate in the future,” Drysdale said. “When that current events variable diminishes, the work campuses do year-round needs to be strong to make sure turnout remains high.”
Doing that is less challenging in Colorado, Drysdale said, because it’s so easy to register and vote in the state. That also means advocacy groups can focus their efforts on educating voters about the candidates and the issues.
That’s the experience Mayra Valdez, a 22-year-old senior at MSU, had as she helped others register and learn about the election. She’s part of IGNITE, an organization that encourages women to become politically engaged.
Valdez, a DACA recipient, isn’t eligible to vote herself, but she made it her mission to help others, particularly voters of color. Young people were motivated this year, she said.
“I think they finally realized we have the power to dictate the direction this country goes to,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--John Elway, Bill Clinton among guests on second season of “Peyton’s Places”

Peyton Manning ’ s former boss , a former U.S. president and a talk-show icon are among the guests who will appear on the second season of ESPN ’ s “ Peyton ’ s Places.
” Broncos general manager John Elway , former President Bill Clinton and former “ Late Show ” host David Letterman on Monday were announced for season two of Manning ’ s Emmy-nominated football series .
The new season kicks off on Nov. 29 on ESPN+ .
“ ’ Peyton ’ s Places ’ is a history project that became a passion project , ” Manning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s so many fascinating things about football history that people just don ’ t know and I ’ m looking forward to bringing it to ESPN+.
” Other guests announced include former NFL stars Tony Gonzalez , Darrell Green , Rodney Harrison , Garrison Hearst , Ronnie Lott , Marshawn Lynch , Terrell Owens and Lynn Swann , as well as actors Kurt Russell and James Van Der Beek .
ESPN NFL insider and former Denver Post reporter Adam Schefter will host a two-hour special to preview the new season at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN2 .

Peyton Manning’s former boss, a former U.S. president and a talk-show icon are among the guests who will appear on the second season of ESPN’s “Peyton’s Places.”
Broncos general manager John Elway, former President Bill Clinton and former “Late Show” host David Letterman on Monday were announced for season two of Manning’s Emmy-nominated football series. The new season kicks off on Nov. 29 on ESPN+.
“’Peyton’s Places’ is a history project that became a passion project,” Manning said in a news release. “There’s so many fascinating things about football history that people just don’t know and I’m looking forward to bringing it to ESPN+.”
Other guests announced include former NFL stars Tony Gonzalez, Darrell Green, Rodney Harrison, Garrison Hearst, Ronnie Lott, Marshawn Lynch, Terrell Owens and Lynn Swann, as well as actors Kurt Russell and James Van Der Beek.
ESPN NFL insider and former Denver Post reporter Adam Schefter will host a two-hour special to preview the new season at 5 p.m. MT on Nov. 24 on ESPN2.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Pompeo is first top U.S. diplomat to visit an Israeli settlement

JERUSALEM — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday became the first top U.S. diplomat to visit an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank as the State Department announced that products from the settlements can be labeled “ Made in Israel ” in a major policy shift .
The two moves reflected the Trump administration ’ s acceptance of Israeli settlements , which the Palestinians and most of the international community view as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace .
Pompeo also announced that the U.S. would brand the international Palestinian-led boycott movement as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that participate in it from receiving government funding .
It was not immediately clear which groups would be affected by the move .
A State Department official , speaking on condition of anonymity , confirmed Pompeo ’ s visit to the Psagot winery , in a settlement near Jerusalem , to reporters traveling with him who were not allowed to accompany him on that leg of the visit .
Pompeo had earlier said he would pay a visit to the Golan Heights .
Israel seized the West Bank and the Golan Heights in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golan in a move not recognized internationally .
Pompeo had earlier announced that the U.S. will regard the Palestinian-led boycott movement as “ anti-Semitic ” and cut off government support for any organizations taking part in it , a step that could deny funding to Palestinian and international human rights groups .
“ We will regard the global , anti-Israel BDS campaign as anti-Semitic , ” Pompeo said , referring to the Boycott , Divestment and Sanctions movement .
“ We will immediately take steps to identify organizations that engage in hateful BDS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such groups , ” he said , adding that all nations should “ recognize the BDS movement for the cancer that it is.
” BDS organizers cast their movement as a non-violent way of protesting Israel ’ s policies toward the Palestinians modeled on the campaign that helped end apartheid in South Africa .
The movement has had some limited success over the years but no impact on the Israeli economy .
Israel views BDS as an assault on its very existence , and has seized on statements by some supporters to accuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers .
In a statement , the BDS movement reiterated its rejection of “ all forms of racism , including anti-Jewish racism , ” and accused the U.S. and Israel of trying to silence advocacy for Palestinian rights .
“ The BDS movement for Palestinian freedom , justice and equality , stands with all those struggling for a more dignified , just and beautiful world , ” it said .
“ With our many partners , we shall resist these McCarthyite attempts to intimidate and bully Palestinian , Israeli and international human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fate.
” Pompeo did not provide additional details about the initiative , and it was unclear what organizations would be at risk of losing funding .
Israelis have accused international groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International of supporting BDS , allegations they deny .
Human Rights Watch , whose researcher was deported from Israel last year for past statements allegedly in support of BDS , does not call for boycotting Israel but urges companies to avoid doing business in West Bank settlements , saying it makes them complicit in human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a position on the boycott movement .
“ The Trump administration is undermining the common fight against the scourge of antisemitism by equating it with peaceful advocacy of boycotts , ” Eric Goldstein , acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch , said in a statement .
Israel passed a 2017 law that bars entry to foreigners who have called for economic boycotts of Israel or its settlements .
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution opposing the boycott movement last year , and several U.S. states have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations support the boycott movement , but under President Donald Trump the U.S. has already cut off nearly all forms of aid to the Palestinians .
President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to restore the aid as part of efforts to revive the peace process .
Pompeo spoke at a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who said the Israel-U.S. alliance had reached “ unprecedented heights ” under the Trump administration .
Netanyahu thanked the administration for moving its embassy to contested Jerusalem , abandoning the U.S. position that Israeli settlements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ’ s annexation of the Golan Heights and taking a hard line against Iran .
Israel captured east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 war .
The Palestinians want both territories to be part of their future state and view the settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace — a position endorsed by most of the international community .
Trump ’ s Mideast plan , which overwhelmingly favored Israel and was rejected by the Palestinians , would allow Israel to annex up to a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its settlements there , which are home to nearly 500,000 Israelis .
“ For a long time , the State Department took the wrong view of settlements , ” Pompeo said , but it now recognizes that “ settlements can be done in a way that ( is ) lawful , appropriate and proper.
” Neither Netanyahu nor Pompeo said anything about the U.S. election .
Pompeo , like Trump , has yet to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory .
Netanyahu congratulated Biden and referred to him as the president-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

JERUSALEM — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday became the first top U.S. diplomat to visit an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank as the State Department announced that products from the settlements can be labeled “Made in Israel” in a major policy shift.
The two moves reflected the Trump administration’s acceptance of Israeli settlements, which the Palestinians and most of the international community view as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace.
Pompeo also announced that the U.S. would brand the international Palestinian-led boycott movement as “anti-Semitic” and bar any groups that participate in it from receiving government funding. It was not immediately clear which groups would be affected by the move.
A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Pompeo’s visit to the Psagot winery, in a settlement near Jerusalem, to reporters traveling with him who were not allowed to accompany him on that leg of the visit.
Pompeo had earlier said he would pay a visit to the Golan Heights. Israel seized the West Bank and the Golan Heights in the 1967 war and later annexed the Golan in a move not recognized internationally.
Pompeo had earlier announced that the U.S. will regard the Palestinian-led boycott movement as “anti-Semitic” and cut off government support for any organizations taking part in it, a step that could deny funding to Palestinian and international human rights groups.
“We will regard the global, anti-Israel BDS campaign as anti-Semitic,” Pompeo said, referring to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
“We will immediately take steps to identify organizations that engage in hateful BDS conduct and withdraw U.S. government support for such groups,” he said, adding that all nations should “recognize the BDS movement for the cancer that it is.”
BDS organizers cast their movement as a non-violent way of protesting Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians modeled on the campaign that helped end apartheid in South Africa. The movement has had some limited success over the years but no impact on the Israeli economy.
Israel views BDS as an assault on its very existence, and has seized on statements by some supporters to accuse it of anti-Semitism, allegations denied by organizers.
In a statement, the BDS movement reiterated its rejection of “all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish racism,” and accused the U.S. and Israel of trying to silence advocacy for Palestinian rights.
“The BDS movement for Palestinian freedom, justice and equality, stands with all those struggling for a more dignified, just and beautiful world,” it said. “With our many partners, we shall resist these McCarthyite attempts to intimidate and bully Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights defenders into accepting Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism as fate.”
Pompeo did not provide additional details about the initiative, and it was unclear what organizations would be at risk of losing funding. Israelis have accused international groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International of supporting BDS, allegations they deny.
Human Rights Watch, whose researcher was deported from Israel last year for past statements allegedly in support of BDS, does not call for boycotting Israel but urges companies to avoid doing business in West Bank settlements, saying it makes them complicit in human rights abuses. Amnesty does not take a position on the boycott movement.
“The Trump administration is undermining the common fight against the scourge of antisemitism by equating it with peaceful advocacy of boycotts,” Eric Goldstein, acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
Israel passed a 2017 law that bars entry to foreigners who have called for economic boycotts of Israel or its settlements. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution opposing the boycott movement last year, and several U.S. states have enacted anti-BDS laws.
Virtually all Palestinian organizations support the boycott movement, but under President Donald Trump the U.S. has already cut off nearly all forms of aid to the Palestinians. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to restore the aid as part of efforts to revive the peace process.
Pompeo spoke at a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the Israel-U.S. alliance had reached “unprecedented heights” under the Trump administration.
Netanyahu thanked the administration for moving its embassy to contested Jerusalem, abandoning the U.S. position that Israeli settlements are contrary to international law, recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and taking a hard line against Iran.
Israel captured east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want both territories to be part of their future state and view the settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace — a position endorsed by most of the international community.
Trump’s Mideast plan, which overwhelmingly favored Israel and was rejected by the Palestinians, would allow Israel to annex up to a third of the West Bank, including all of its settlements there, which are home to nearly 500,000 Israelis.
“For a long time, the State Department took the wrong view of settlements,” Pompeo said, but it now recognizes that “settlements can be done in a way that (is) lawful, appropriate and proper.”
Neither Netanyahu nor Pompeo said anything about the U.S. election. Pompeo, like Trump, has yet to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Netanyahu congratulated Biden and referred to him as the president-elect in an official statement earlier this week.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Ask Amy: New mom needs respite and empathy

Dear Amy : My husband and I have a seven-month-old baby .
My husband has never been a sympathetic person .
I have always accepted this about him .
However , now with the baby I find myself needing more emotional support than he can give me .
The long nights with a nursing and poorly sleeping baby have left me feeling exhausted and needing some reassurance and comfort from my husband .
Whenever I broach the subject , he tells me that he works so I can be home ( I work too , but fewer hours and from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t feel bad for me because he has a long commute and that I need to get a grip ( although he doesn ’ t use those exact words ) .
How can I either talk to him , or find another outlet to get the support I can ’ t get from him ?
Dear New Mama : You need immediate and caring support , and other moms are often very good at offering it .
Do everything possible to get together with other parents ( safely ) in person or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Reddit ) .
Other parents can observe you and your baby and give both of you lots of positive attention and love .
You also need some respite , someone who can be with your baby while you take a nap , take a walk , or get a haircut .
These small things are the essence of “ self-care ” when you have a baby at home .
Obviously , the pandemic has complicated the process of bringing another individual into your household .
If there is a way to safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , you should .
Normally , I would suggest that your husband watch your baby , solo , for several hours during a weekend day ( because the best way to understand what a full-time mom goes through is to experience a bit of it , yourself ) , but given his extreme limitations , this might not be the wisest course .
I assume that he might be modeling attitudes and behavior he experienced in his own household growing up , and one way to talk to him about your needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own parents ’ attitudes about work and family .
Dear Amy : I am married to a man with three kids .
The oldest is 18 , and he has two much younger children .
The oldest ( a daughter ) lives in another state .
She doesn ’ t have the best relationship with her dad ( my husband ) .
When we first got together , my husband was still getting divorced , so it was a lot of drama .
I am only 29 and have never been with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is angry that I never reached out to her .
In my defense , we were going to visit last year , and I thought we would meet then .
But she wouldn ’ t meet because she was mad at us .
Should I reach out now ?
Dear Wondering : You are likely closer in age to your husband ’ s daughter than you are to him , and yet you seem to have completely forgotten what it was like to be a teenage girl .
From the timing you suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years were consumed by her folks ’ dramatic breakup .
You and her father didn ’ t wait for his divorce to start dating ( kids keep score , her mother has probably mentioned this a few hundred times , and these things matter to them ) .
Step-parenting always begins with friendship , and friendships are the result of bids for connection .
Yes , your efforts might be denied or dismissed , but the reason to reach out is so that later — when she is more mature and the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you ’ ve been trying all along .
Keep it simple : An email or DM saying , “ I ’ m so sorry we haven ’ t met in person yet ; we ’ d love for you to visit us if you are able .
I ’ m sorry things have been so hard , but I ’ m really looking forward to getting to know you.
” Dear Amy : My husband and I have been very happily married for more than 40 years .
He signs my birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that is about it for “ out loud ” I love yous.
” However , he gets up every morning , boils the kettle and makes tea , bringing me a perfectly brewed cup .
I have told him and lots of other people that I consider this his “ I Love You.
” I will settle for this for another 40 years .
Dear L : I am enjoying these sweet endorsements for nonverbal expressions of love .

Dear Amy: My husband and I have a seven-month-old baby.
My husband has never been a sympathetic person. I have always accepted this about him. However, now with the baby I find myself needing more emotional support than he can give me.
The long nights with a nursing and poorly sleeping baby have left me feeling exhausted and needing some reassurance and comfort from my husband.
Whenever I broach the subject, he tells me that he works so I can be home (I work too, but fewer hours and from home), and that he doesn’t feel bad for me because he has a long commute and that I need to get a grip (although he doesn’t use those exact words).
How can I either talk to him, or find another outlet to get the support I can’t get from him?
— New Mama
Dear New Mama: You need immediate and caring support, and other moms are often very good at offering it. Do everything possible to get together with other parents (safely) in person or online (via Facebook parenting groups, or Reddit). Other parents can observe you and your baby and give both of you lots of positive attention and love.
You also need some respite, someone who can be with your baby while you take a nap, take a walk, or get a haircut. These small things are the essence of “self-care” when you have a baby at home. Obviously, the pandemic has complicated the process of bringing another individual into your household. If there is a way to safely do so for even three hours a week, you should.
Normally, I would suggest that your husband watch your baby, solo, for several hours during a weekend day (because the best way to understand what a full-time mom goes through is to experience a bit of it, yourself), but given his extreme limitations, this might not be the wisest course.
I assume that he might be modeling attitudes and behavior he experienced in his own household growing up, and one way to talk to him about your needs might be to ask him about his own parents’ attitudes about work and family.
Dear Amy: I am married to a man with three kids. The oldest is 18, and he has two much younger children.
The oldest (a daughter) lives in another state. She doesn’t have the best relationship with her dad (my husband).
When we first got together, my husband was still getting divorced, so it was a lot of drama.
I am only 29 and have never been with a man who has children.
His oldest is angry that I never reached out to her.
In my defense, we were going to visit last year, and I thought we would meet then. But she wouldn’t meet because she was mad at us. Should I reach out now?
— Wondering
Dear Wondering: You are likely closer in age to your husband’s daughter than you are to him, and yet you seem to have completely forgotten what it was like to be a teenage girl.
From the timing you suggest, this girl’s formative teen years were consumed by her folks’ dramatic breakup. You and her father didn’t wait for his divorce to start dating (kids keep score, her mother has probably mentioned this a few hundred times, and these things matter to them).
Step-parenting always begins with friendship, and friendships are the result of bids for connection.
Yes, your efforts might be denied or dismissed, but the reason to reach out is so that later — when she is more mature and the situation is more stable — she can see that you’ve been trying all along.
Keep it simple: An email or DM saying, “I’m so sorry we haven’t met in person yet; we’d love for you to visit us if you are able. I’m sorry things have been so hard, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know you.”
Dear Amy: My husband and I have been very happily married for more than 40 years. He signs my birthday card, “Love, John”, but that is about it for “out loud” I love yous.”
However, he gets up every morning, boils the kettle and makes tea, bringing me a perfectly brewed cup.
I have told him and lots of other people that I consider this his “I Love You.” I will settle for this for another 40 years.
— L. Clark, in Ontario
Dear L: I am enjoying these sweet endorsements for nonverbal expressions of love.
(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--2020-11-19--Nuggets agree to terms with Marquette’s Markus Howard on two-way contract, source says

The Nuggets topped off an eventful evening Wednesday night when they reached an agreement on a two-way deal with Marquette sharpshooter Markus Howard following the NBA draft , a league source told The Denver Post .
Despite being 5-foot-11 , Howard led the NCAA in scoring at 27.8 points per game .
The deal can ’ t be made official until free agents can sign Sunday .
While Howard ’ s height is a concern and may make it hard for him defensively , his blistering 3-point shooting is not .
Howard ’ s worst 3-point shooting percentage across four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His best , during his freshman year , topped out at 54 % .
Howard set the school record with 2,761 points throughout his career .
Players on two-way contracts are generally allowed only 45 days in the NBA .
However , due to the nature of the upcoming season , the NBA has relaxed its rules .
There ’ s no 45-day service limit for two-way players this year .
Instead , the NBA said in a recent memo that two-way players can ’ t be on the active list for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Howard will get to spend far more time around the Nuggets than is typical of two-way players .
Bol Bol is Denver ’ s only other two-way player .
NBA training camp begins Dec. 1 .
The deal wrapped a significant night for the Nuggets , who selected Arizona C Zeke Nnaji at No .
22 and then traded back into the draft two picks later to take combo guard R.J. Hampton .

The Nuggets topped off an eventful evening Wednesday night when they reached an agreement on a two-way deal with Marquette sharpshooter Markus Howard following the NBA draft, a league source told The Denver Post.
Despite being 5-foot-11, Howard led the NCAA in scoring at 27.8 points per game. The deal can’t be made official until free agents can sign Sunday.
While Howard’s height is a concern and may make it hard for him defensively, his blistering 3-point shooting is not. Howard’s worst 3-point shooting percentage across four years at Marquette was 40.3%. His best, during his freshman year, topped out at 54%. Howard set the school record with 2,761 points throughout his career.
Players on two-way contracts are generally allowed only 45 days in the NBA. However, due to the nature of the upcoming season, the NBA has relaxed its rules. There’s no 45-day service limit for two-way players this year. Instead, the NBA said in a recent memo that two-way players can’t be on the active list for more than 50 games.
In other words, Howard will get to spend far more time around the Nuggets than is typical of two-way players.
Bol Bol is Denver’s only other two-way player. NBA training camp begins Dec. 1.
The deal wrapped a significant night for the Nuggets, who selected Arizona C Zeke Nnaji at No. 22 and then traded back into the draft two picks later to take combo guard R.J. Hampton.


thedenverpost--2020-11-19--Kiszla: Great NBA draft for Nuggets if R.J. Hampton can move Gary Harris one step closer to gone fro

Kiszla: Great NBA draft for Nuggets if R.J. Hampton can move Gary Harris one step closer to gone from Denver

One of these years , when the Nuggets decide it ’ s finally time to get serious about winning the NBA championship , they will move on from Gary Harris as a starter in their backcourt .
With the draft night trade for 19-year-old combo guard R.J. Hampton , maybe Denver took one small step toward a future beyond Harris .
And that would be a very good thing .
Nobody drafts better than president of basketball operations Tim Connelly .
Kudos to him for landing both Hampton and Arizona big man Zeke Nnaji late in the first round .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m still ticked Connelly didn ’ t find a way to pry Jrue Holiday from New Orleans , either at the February trade deadline or when the Pelicans again opened bidding in recent days ?
Did Milwaukee , which sent a haul of future draft picks to New Orleans , over-pay for Holiday ?
Yes .
But here ’ s the deal : For fly-over NBA cities such as Milwaukee or Denver , the price of a legit shot at a championship ring is never going to be cheap .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the phone and work a deal for Anthony Davis or James Harden .
Joker ’ s great , but he doesn ’ t have the juice of Bron or KD .
Hampton does not move Denver appreciably closer to the NBA Finals , at least not in the short term .
At 6-foot-5 , Hampton is a drive-and-kick guard who needs work on his jumper and his defense .
In five years , maybe he ’ ll have game comparable to Holiday .
But not now .
He ’ s a project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , makes total sense if Connelly is ready to make a big move for a veteran that can bolster the Nuggets ’ starting five in a major way .
There ’ s nothing wrong with Harris , except the fact Denver loves him way more than anybody else in the league does .
While coach Michael Malone defends Harris like a member of the family , he has never been quite good enough as trade bait , when the Nuggets have pursued Jimmy Butler or Holiday in blockbuster deals they couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not satisfied with their first championship since 2010 , have added Dennis Schroder , who just made life easier for LeBron James .
It ’ s good to be the King .
The Bucks , determined to show Giannis Antetokounmpo he can win a ring without leaving Milwaukee , paid a ransom for Holiday .
They are going for it now .
The Nuggets ?
They ’ re hoping , praying and biding their time .
Connelly hopes Michael Porter Jr. can win the complete trust of Malone .
Hey , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach ?
With free agency looming , Denver prays Jerami Grant re-signs instead of seeking greener pastures elsewhere in the league .
Yes , the Nuggets have legit reasons for optimism .
Their trip to the conference finals was no fluke .
But as their razor-thin victory against Utah in Game 7 of the opening round reminds us , success is not guaranteed to anyone this side of Los Angeles in the wild West .
Denver doesn ’ t skip steps .
Doing his homework diligently as a talent scout , Connelly is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s uncomfortable with the dice in his hands .
Gambling is not in Connelly ’ s nature .
Two years ago , the Nuggets didn ’ t want to get good until the Golden State dynasty crumbled .
Now , they are waiting for LeBron to grow old .
Keep waiting long enough , and Nuggets can watch Luka Doncic win big with the backing of Mark Cuban ’ s money , or complain when Kevin Durant recruits another superstar friend to build a super team in Brooklyn .
If the presence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Monte Morris in a trade that puts them closer to equal footing with the Lakers , this draft will be an unqualified success .
At some point , Connelly has to put his chips on the table .
Maybe the price of poker for Holiday was too steep .
I get that .
The Nuggets , however , have been playing for next year since joining the NBA in 1976 .
I ’ m betting if Connelly goes and gets some real help for Jamal Murray and Joker , they can win @ @ @

One of these years, when the Nuggets decide it’s finally time to get serious about winning the NBA championship, they will move on from Gary Harris as a starter in their backcourt.
With the draft night trade for 19-year-old combo guard R.J. Hampton, maybe Denver took one small step toward a future beyond Harris. And that would be a very good thing.
Nobody drafts better than president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. Kudos to him for landing both Hampton and Arizona big man Zeke Nnaji late in the first round.
But is it OK to also confess I’m still ticked Connelly didn’t find a way to pry Jrue Holiday from New Orleans, either at the February trade deadline or when the Pelicans again opened bidding in recent days?
Did Milwaukee, which sent a haul of future draft picks to New Orleans, over-pay for Holiday? Yes.
But here’s the deal: For fly-over NBA cities such as Milwaukee or Denver, the price of a legit shot at a championship ring is never going to be cheap. Why? Nikola Jokic can’t pick up the phone and work a deal for Anthony Davis or James Harden. Joker’s great, but he doesn’t have the juice of Bron or KD.
Hampton does not move Denver appreciably closer to the NBA Finals, at least not in the short term. At 6-foot-5, Hampton is a drive-and-kick guard who needs work on his jumper and his defense. In five years, maybe he’ll have game comparable to Holiday. But not now. He’s a project.
The acquisition of Hampton, however, makes total sense if Connelly is ready to make a big move for a veteran that can bolster the Nuggets’ starting five in a major way.
There’s nothing wrong with Harris, except the fact Denver loves him way more than anybody else in the league does. While coach Michael Malone defends Harris like a member of the family, he has never been quite good enough as trade bait, when the Nuggets have pursued Jimmy Butler or Holiday in blockbuster deals they couldn’t close in recent years.
The Lakers, not satisfied with their first championship since 2010, have added Dennis Schroder, who just made life easier for LeBron James. It’s good to be the King.
The Bucks, determined to show Giannis Antetokounmpo he can win a ring without leaving Milwaukee, paid a ransom for Holiday. They are going for it now.
The Nuggets? They’re hoping, praying and biding their time.
Connelly hopes Michael Porter Jr. can win the complete trust of Malone. Hey, I believe in MPJ. But does the coach? With free agency looming, Denver prays Jerami Grant re-signs instead of seeking greener pastures elsewhere in the league.
Yes, the Nuggets have legit reasons for optimism. Their trip to the conference finals was no fluke. But as their razor-thin victory against Utah in Game 7 of the opening round reminds us, success is not guaranteed to anyone this side of Los Angeles in the wild West.
Denver doesn’t skip steps. Doing his homework diligently as a talent scout, Connelly is a straight-A student. But he’s uncomfortable with the dice in his hands. Gambling is not in Connelly’s nature.
Two years ago, the Nuggets didn’t want to get good until the Golden State dynasty crumbled. Now, they are waiting for LeBron to grow old. Keep waiting long enough, and Nuggets can watch Luka Doncic win big with the backing of Mark Cuban’s money, or complain when Kevin Durant recruits another superstar friend to build a super team in Brooklyn.
If the presence of Hampton allows the Nuggets to use Harris or Monte Morris in a trade that puts them closer to equal footing with the Lakers, this draft will be an unqualified success.
At some point, Connelly has to put his chips on the table.
Maybe the price of poker for Holiday was too steep. I get that.
The Nuggets, however, have been playing for next year since joining the NBA in 1976.
I’m betting if Connelly goes and gets some real help for Jamal Murray and Joker, they can win it all.


thedenverpost--2020-11-20--Four armed robbers take over Englewood bank

The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Englewood police are seeking the public ’ s help regarding an armed bank robbery in Englewood that occurred Thursday .
According to a news release , four suspects performed a takeover-style robbery at the BBVA Compass Bank on the 4600 block of South Broadway at 3:40 p.m. Thursday .
During the robbery the quartet entered the bank with weapons drawn and threatened the bank ’ s employees .
They fled the bank in an unknown direction , FBI stated .
The suspects , all described as four males , were wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Suspect No .
1 : Black Adidas hoodie , white or gray gloves , and a gator-style face mask .
• Suspect No .
2 : Black hoodie , black and white gloves , and a gator-style face mask .
• Suspect No .
3 : Black hoodie , black and white gloves , and a blue surgical face mask .
• Suspect No .
4 : Gray hoodie , black balaclava , and black gloves with an orange design .
A reward up to $ 2,000 is being offered for help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ arrest .
Anyone who has any information on the bank robbery is asked to call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171 ; or , you can remain anonymous and call CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP ( 7867 ) .

Provided by FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Crimestoppers Four armed suspects enter the BBVA Compass Bank in Englewood on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in armed, takeover-style bank robbery. The FBI and Englewood police issued a crime alert with descriptions of the suspects and asked for the public's help in finding them.
Provided by FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Crimestoppers Four armed suspects enter the BBVA Compass Bank in Englewood on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in armed, takeover-style bank robbery. The FBI and Englewood police issued a crime alert with descriptions of the suspects and asked for the public's help in finding them.
Provided by FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Crimestoppers Four armed suspects enter the BBVA Compass Bank in Englewood on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in armed, takeover-style bank robbery. The FBI and Englewood police issued a crime alert with descriptions of the suspects and asked for the public's help in finding them.
Provided by FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Crimestoppers Four armed suspects enter the BBVA Compass Bank in Englewood on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in armed, takeover-style bank robbery. The FBI and Englewood police issued a crime alert with descriptions of the suspects and asked for the public's help in finding them.
Provided by FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Crimestoppers Four armed suspects enter the BBVA Compass Bank in Englewood on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in armed, takeover-style bank robbery. The FBI and Englewood police issued a crime alert with descriptions of the suspects and asked for the public's help in finding them.
The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Englewood police are seeking the public’s help regarding an armed bank robbery in Englewood that occurred Thursday.
According to a news release, four suspects performed a takeover-style robbery at the BBVA Compass Bank on the 4600 block of South Broadway at 3:40 p.m. Thursday. During the robbery the quartet entered the bank with weapons drawn and threatened the bank’s employees. They fled the bank in an unknown direction, FBI stated.
The suspects, all described as four males, were wearing the following clothing during the robbery:
Suspect No. 1: Black Adidas hoodie, white or gray gloves, and a gaiter-style face mask.
Suspect No. 2: Black hoodie, black and white gloves, and a gaiter-style face mask.
Suspect No. 3: Black hoodie, black and white gloves, and a blue surgical face mask.
Suspect No. 4: Gray hoodie, black balaclava, and black gloves with an orange design.
A reward up to $2,000 is being offered for help that will lead up to the suspects’ arrest. Anyone who has any information on the bank robbery is asked to call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and call CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).


thedenverpost--2020-11-20--Polis’ tweak to Elijah McClain investigation raises concerns, prompts plans for Saturday protest

Gov .
Jared Polis ’ tweak to an executive order that gives the Colorado attorney general the authority to investigate the death of Elijah McClain has raised concerns among some observers that the police officers involved in McClain ’ s death might not face serious criminal charges .
Although the full impact of the adjusted language is still unclear , protesters are nevertheless planning to gather Saturday at the state capitol building over the change , which the governor ’ s office announced last week .
McClain , 23 , died in August 2019 after he was placed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers and then sedated by responding paramedics .
Seventeenth Judicial District Attorney Dave Young last year declined to press criminal charges against those involved in McClain ’ s death , but in June , amid mounting political pressure and growing national attention on the case , Polis appointed Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor .
At the time , Polis ’ executive order gave Weiser the authority to investigate and prosecute “ any potential criminal activity… that caused the death of Elijah McClain.
” Last week , Polis amended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate and prosecute “ offenses arising from the Aug. 24 , 2019 , encounter with Elijah McClain and/or his subsequent death.
” The amended executive order is more broad than its predecessor , said Mari Newman , an attorney for McClain ’ s family .
“ Optimistically , I would like to believe that Weiser ’ s office is looking to bring even broader charges to encompass criminal conduct in addition to , and that should be underlined — in addition to — murdering an innocent young man , and that could include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying under oath , things of that nature , ” Newman said .
“ My concern is that the office is looking to bring lesser charges on related conduct , but sidestep the actual murder.
” In a statement calling on people to attend Saturday ’ s protest , Denver ’ s Party for Socialism and Liberation said the amended order opens up the possibility that the attorney general ’ s office brings “ watered down charges.
” A spokesman for the attorney general ’ s office declined to comment Thursday and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not return a request for comment .
The new language in the amended executive order doesn ’ t preclude the filing of serious criminal charges , said Stan Garnett , former district attorney in Boulder who is not involved in the case — but it does suggest the attorney general ’ s office is taking a wider approach .
“ I suspect that whoever the attorney general had investigate this is probably coming to very much the same conclusion that Dave Young ’ s office did , which is that there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was a horrible thing that happened to Elijah McClain , and we need to look at a lot of different things to make sure it doesn ’ t happen again , but that doesn ’ t mean criminal charges should be brought… so let ’ s get a broader executive order issued to the attorney general that permits him to bring other offenses.
” Those other offenses could include administrative or civil violations , Garnett speculated , although he emphasized that he doesn ’ t believe the governor should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This undercuts public confidence in prosecutorial decisions by suggesting that if you just pass it around to the right person , you ’ ll get the charges the public wants to have brought at a particular time , ” he said .
“ That ’ s pretty dangerous.
” Newman said it ’ s impossible to know at this point whether protesters ’ concerns about the tweak to the executive order will be proven correct , but that she ’ s nevertheless encouraged to see the event planned for Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the community is watching what happens in this case , and both the district attorney ’ s office and the city of Aurora can ’ t hope people will forget about the murder of Elijah McClain or move on , ” she said .
“ Even the most ridiculous election the country has ever known and the COVID epidemic have been unable to distract people from the murder of Elijah McClain .
”

Gov. Jared Polis’ tweak to an executive order that gives the Colorado attorney general the authority to investigate the death of Elijah McClain has raised concerns among some observers that the police officers involved in McClain’s death might not face serious criminal charges.
Although the full impact of the adjusted language is still unclear, protesters are nevertheless planning to gather Saturday at the state capitol building over the change, which the governor’s office announced last week.
McClain, 23, died in August 2019 after he was placed in a chokehold during a violent arrest by Aurora police officers and then sedated by responding paramedics. Seventeenth Judicial District Attorney Dave Young last year declined to press criminal charges against those involved in McClain’s death, but in June, amid mounting political pressure and growing national attention on the case, Polis appointed Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor.
At the time, Polis’ executive order gave Weiser the authority to investigate and prosecute “any potential criminal activity… that caused the death of Elijah McClain.” Last week, Polis amended the order, giving Weiser the authority to investigate and prosecute “offenses arising from the Aug. 24, 2019, encounter with Elijah McClain and/or his subsequent death.”
The amended executive order is more broad than its predecessor, said Mari Newman, an attorney for McClain’s family.
“Optimistically, I would like to believe that Weiser’s office is looking to bring even broader charges to encompass criminal conduct in addition to, and that should be underlined — in addition to — murdering an innocent young man, and that could include things like tampering with the evidence, lying under oath, things of that nature,” Newman said. “My concern is that the office is looking to bring lesser charges on related conduct, but sidestep the actual murder.”
In a statement calling on people to attend Saturday’s protest, Denver’s Party for Socialism and Liberation said the amended order opens up the possibility that the attorney general’s office brings “watered down charges.”
A spokesman for the attorney general’s office declined to comment Thursday,
Conor Cahill, the governor’s press secretary, released a statement late Thursday night characterizing the executive order as a widening of Weiser’s investigation.
“The updated language expands the authority of the attorney general to investigate all legal charges including criminal charges should the investigation warrant them,” Cahill said. “Everything that could have been investigated under the old order stands, and now the investigation can be expanded. The investigation continues and it will be thorough, guided by the facts, and work to build public trust in Colorado’s criminal justice system.”
The new language in the amended executive order doesn’t preclude the filing of serious criminal charges, said Stan Garnett, former district attorney in Boulder who is not involved in the case — but it does suggest the attorney general’s office is taking a wider approach.
“I suspect that whoever the attorney general had investigate this is probably coming to very much the same conclusion that Dave Young’s office did, which is that there are no criminal charges,” he said. “It was a horrible thing that happened to Elijah McClain, and we need to look at a lot of different things to make sure it doesn’t happen again, but that doesn’t mean criminal charges should be brought… so let’s get a broader executive order issued to the attorney general that permits him to bring other offenses.”
Those other offenses could include administrative or civil violations, Garnett speculated, although he emphasized that he doesn’t believe the governor should have appointed Weiser to the case at all.
“This undercuts public confidence in prosecutorial decisions by suggesting that if you just pass it around to the right person, you’ll get the charges the public wants to have brought at a particular time,” he said. “That’s pretty dangerous.”
Newman said it’s impossible to know at this point whether protesters’ concerns about the tweak to the executive order will be proven correct, but that she’s nevertheless encouraged to see the event planned for Saturday.
“I do think the protest demonstrates that the community is watching what happens in this case, and both the district attorney’s office and the city of Aurora can’t hope people will forget about the murder of Elijah McClain or move on,” she said. “Even the most ridiculous election the country has ever known and the COVID epidemic have been unable to distract people from the murder of Elijah McClain.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-20--Workers laid off, food given away as restaurants prepare for new shutdown

As the rest of Denver braces for tightened coronavirus restrictions starting at 5 p.m. Friday , the food service industry is busy donating food and laying off workers .
In accordance with the latest Level Red restrictions , Denver restaurants are in the process of shutting down indoor dining and moving last call to 8 p.m .
But some businesses have decided to close altogether for now , while others will rely solely on takeout .
A relative few are able to accommodate heated , outdoor single-family seating .
The effects of these latest restrictions remain to be seen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , new unemployment applications in the state reached 22.6 % higher than the previous week , with 9,171 regular claims filed compared to 7,483 for the week ending Nov. 7 .
During the last week of October , accommodation and food service workers filed the most initial unemployment claims of any industry in Colorado , accounting for 16.9 % of regular claims filed .
Also that week , as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surged , restaurants in Denver began readjusting to incremental , near-weekly reductions in business .
On Oct. 28 , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 % .
On Nov. 8 , a 10 p.m. curfew for dining out was enacted .
As of Friday , all indoor dining stops indefinitely , and last call is moved to 8 p.m. Stephen Julia , who owns three bars in the Denver area , says he agrees with the stricter measures taken by the city and state governments .
But of the incremental process of closing down restaurants , “ This is worse , ” he said .
“ We all kind of feel like we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of weeks .
It ’ d be better to just tear off the Band-Aid.
” Since Wednesday , Julia and his team have been giving away their remaining food supply at their downtown bar Brass Tacks to staff members and any customer who comes in to order a cocktail .
He says his business would be losing more money if it stayed open now .
But he ’ s worried for his employees .
“ I don ’ t have high hopes for us , but I really want our people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At Denver restaurants Beast + Bottle and Coperta , co-owner Paul Reilly is “ listening to local leaders who are saying , ‘ Stay home , ’ ” and opting to temporarily close down all indoor and outdoor dining .
As of Friday , Reilly and his sister , Aileen , are furloughing two-thirds of their remaining staff , which is already down to around 40 % of its pre-pandemic numbers .
“ It was gut-wrenching to pull the same employees back yesterday and say , we ’ re going to furlough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his weekly profits had dropped by as much as 40 % after the new round of restrictions in October .
Reilly says he agrees with local and state mandates , but “ without government help , we will not survive , ” he added .
“ It ’ s just not going to happen.
” Justin Morse owns Brasserie Brixton in the Cole neighborhood , a small French restaurant that opened after the start of the pandemic and therefore doesn ’ t qualify for government aid , he said , from Payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Couldn ’ t we have at least gotten Saturday service before closing ?
” he wondered .
“ A chance to go through our stocks and get a profitable service in ?
” Morse explained that shutting down and then reopening , expanding patios and switching menus to takeout all require capital .
“ These aren ’ t even Band-Aids for small operators like us who are operating week to week , just rolling over what bills we can , ” he said .
As Morse and his team consider changing their French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Julia and his co-owners attempt to spread shifts out among their workers at two remaining businesses .
And Reilly is thanking his staff and reminding them to make this final indoor service count .
“ This is probably the last night that someone ’ s going to be dining in a restaurant for quite some time , ” Reilly said Thursday .
“ If we show them an experience , then hopefully they ’ ll remember why restaurants are worth saving.
” Subscribe to our food newsletter , Stuffed , to get Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inbox .

As the rest of Denver braces for tightened coronavirus restrictions starting at 5 p.m. Friday, the food service industry is busy donating food and laying off workers.
In accordance with the latest Level Red restrictions, Denver restaurants are in the process of shutting down indoor dining and moving last call to 8 p.m. But some businesses have decided to close altogether for now, while others will rely solely on takeout. A relative few are able to accommodate heated, outdoor single-family seating.
The effects of these latest restrictions remain to be seen and felt, but as of Nov. 14, new unemployment applications in the state reached 22.6% higher than the previous week, with 9,171 regular claims filed compared to 7,483 for the week ending Nov. 7. During the last week of October, accommodation and food service workers filed the most initial unemployment claims of any industry in Colorado, accounting for 16.9% of regular claims filed.
Also that week, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surged, restaurants in Denver began readjusting to incremental, near-weekly reductions in business. On Oct. 28, their indoor dining room capacities were reduced to 25%. On Nov. 8, a 10 p.m. curfew for dining out was enacted. As of Friday, all indoor dining stops indefinitely, and last call is moved to 8 p.m.
Stephen Julia, who owns three bars in the Denver area, says he agrees with the stricter measures taken by the city and state governments. But of the incremental process of closing down restaurants, “This is worse,” he said. “We all kind of feel like we’re going to get shut down fully anyway, in a couple of weeks. It’d be better to just tear off the Band-Aid.”
Since Wednesday, Julia and his team have been giving away their remaining food supply at their downtown bar Brass Tacks to staff members and any customer who comes in to order a cocktail. He says his business would be losing more money if it stayed open now. But he’s worried for his employees.
“I don’t have high hopes for us, but I really want our people taken care of,” Julia said.
At Denver restaurants Beast + Bottle and Coperta, co-owner Paul Reilly is “listening to local leaders who are saying, ‘Stay home,’ ” and opting to temporarily close down all indoor and outdoor dining. As of Friday, Reilly and his sister, Aileen, are furloughing two-thirds of their remaining staff, which is already down to around 40% of its pre-pandemic numbers.
“It was gut-wrenching to pull the same employees back yesterday and say, we’re going to furlough you,” Reilly said, explaining that his weekly profits had dropped by as much as 40% after the new round of restrictions in October.
Reilly says he agrees with local and state mandates, but “without government help, we will not survive,” he added. “It’s just not going to happen.”
Justin Morse owns Brasserie Brixton in the Cole neighborhood, a small French restaurant that opened after the start of the pandemic and therefore doesn’t qualify for government aid, he said, from Payroll Protection to local grant programs.
“Couldn’t we have at least gotten Saturday service before closing?” he wondered. “A chance to go through our stocks and get a profitable service in?”
Morse explained that shutting down and then reopening, expanding patios and switching menus to takeout all require capital. “These aren’t even Band-Aids for small operators like us who are operating week to week, just rolling over what bills we can,” he said.
As Morse and his team consider changing their French restaurant to a pizza business temporarily, Julia and his co-owners attempt to spread shifts out among their workers at two remaining businesses. And Reilly is thanking his staff and reminding them to make this final indoor service count.
“This is probably the last night that someone’s going to be dining in a restaurant for quite some time,” Reilly said Thursday. “If we show them an experience, then hopefully they’ll remember why restaurants are worth saving.”
Subscribe to our food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.