thedenverpost--2020-09-17--With prices hitting new highs in Boulder County, KB Home previews two paired ‘Villa’ models in Erie

With prices hitting new highs in Boulder County, KB Home previews two paired ‘Villa’ models in Erie from low $400s

With single-family home prices hitting staggering highs now ( averaging over $ 600,000 in the metro area ) , KB Home is seeing huge success with its paired-home ‘ Villas ’ — the size and openness of single-family homes , at prices well below what new homes cost .
And this weekend you can tour a Villas model preview in Boulder County that ’ s bound to redouble their popularity .
In Flatiron Meadows , a master-planned community in the town of Erie that ’ s served by Boulder Valley Schools , you can be among the first to tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ models , opening off N. 111th Avenue , two miles west of Erie ’ s rec center on Erie Parkway .
There ’ s little or no resale inventory in the popular area , and new single-family models that are close to KB Home ’ s site start in the $ 700s and $ 800s , but KB Home will have base prices from the low $ 400s for a home with three bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths , plus an attached two-car garage .
“ This neighborhood is just 15 minutes from Boulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s close to Boulder County open space , and the area has an open feel with great views of the Flatirons , ” says Randy Carpenter , Division President at KB Home Colorado .
Carpenter notes that rising prices in the northwest area are driving unprecedented popularity for those price-conscious Villa designs .
With interest rates at historic lows , one KB Home community nearby in Broomfield saw its entire first release of Villa homes disappear to contracts just over the last 30 days .
Carpenter expects these lower-maintenance paired homes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the Boulder County address will add to their allure .
Boulder Valley Schools serving the neighborhood include top-rated Centaurus High – 9 for 10 stars at GreatSchools.org .
Meadowlark K-thru-8 is located within the community .
You ’ ll tour a ‘ 1963 ’ Plan – just short of 2,000 square feet of finished space , with a wide-open family-dining area , three upstairs bedrooms beside a loft play/homework area , upstairs bedroom , and a main-floor study that would make a perfect home office .
To accommodate people working from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a home office .
KB Home also has the option of a finished basement that can take its size larger still , with potential for up to six bedrooms and four baths ( available on some sites ) .
Carpenter notes that finished basements are proving a very popular option at other Villa neighborhoods , and he expects them to sell well here , too .
KB Home can deliver finished versions of those Villa models in spring 2021 .
Buyers get to choose their finishes and options by way of the KB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalize within their budget ; and all of those Villa plans show you energy performance and water-conserving features that are certified by a third-party inspector to meet or beat Energy Star and EPA ’ s WaterSense standards .
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

With single-family home prices hitting staggering highs now (averaging over $600,000 in the metro area), KB Home is seeing huge success with its paired-home ‘Villas’ — the size and openness of single-family homes, at prices well below what new homes cost. And this weekend you can tour a Villas model preview in Boulder County that’s bound to redouble their popularity.
KB Home’s Villas at Flatiron Meadows in Erie What: Flatiron Meadows Villas by KB Home, model preview this weekend; paired homes with attached 2-car garage, finished basement option, Boulder Valley Schools, wide-open floor plans, lowest prices in surrounding area
Flatiron Meadows Villas by KB Home, model preview this weekend; paired homes with attached 2-car garage, finished basement option, Boulder Valley Schools, wide-open floor plans, lowest prices in surrounding area Where: 1244 Coal Way, Erie; from I-25 North exit 232/Erie Pkwy/Summit Blvd, head west 6 mi., then turn left on N. 111th St. and head south; or from Boulder, take Arapahoe Rd east 7 mi to 111th, north
1244 Coal Way, Erie; from I-25 North exit 232/Erie Pkwy/Summit Blvd, head west 6 mi., then turn left on N. 111th St. and head south; or from Boulder, take Arapahoe Rd east 7 mi to 111th, north Price: From the low $400s
From the low $400s When: Sat Sept 19 & Sun Sept 20, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sat Sept 19 & Sun Sept 20, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Phone: 303-323-1172
303-323-1172 More Info: KBHome.com
In Flatiron Meadows, a master-planned community in the town of Erie that’s served by Boulder Valley Schools, you can be among the first to tour KB Home’s latest two Villa models, opening off N. 111th Avenue, two miles west of Erie’s rec center on Erie Parkway.
There’s little or no resale inventory in the popular area, and new single-family models that are close to KB Home’s site start in the $700s and $800s, but KB Home will have base prices from the low $400s for a home with three bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths, plus an attached two-car garage.
“This neighborhood is just 15 minutes from Boulder’s tech corridor, but it’s close to Boulder County open space, and the area has an open feel with great views of the Flatirons,” says Randy Carpenter, Division President at KB Home Colorado.
Carpenter notes that rising prices in the northwest area are driving unprecedented popularity for those price-conscious Villa designs. With interest rates at historic lows, one KB Home community nearby in Broomfield saw its entire first release of Villa homes disappear to contracts just over the last 30 days.
Carpenter expects these lower-maintenance paired homes to be just as popular in Flatiron Meadows, where the Boulder County address will add to their allure. Boulder Valley Schools serving the neighborhood include top-rated Centaurus High – 9 for 10 stars at GreatSchools.org. Meadowlark K-thru-8 is located within the community.
You’ll tour a ‘1963’ Plan – just short of 2,000 square feet of finished space, with a wide-open family-dining area, three upstairs bedrooms beside a loft play/homework area, upstairs bedroom, and a main-floor study that would make a perfect home office. To accommodate people working from home, KB Home offers options for a home office. KB Home also has the option of a finished basement that can take its size larger still, with potential for up to six bedrooms and four baths (available on some sites). Carpenter notes that finished basements are proving a very popular option at other Villa neighborhoods, and he expects them to sell well here, too.
KB Home can deliver finished versions of those Villa models in spring 2021. Buyers get to choose their finishes and options by way of the KB Home Design Studio, with choices to personalize within their budget; and all of those Villa plans show you energy performance and water-conserving features that are certified by a third-party inspector to meet or beat Energy Star and EPA’s WaterSense standards.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-09-17--Aurora fire crews save two dogs from apartment building

Aurora fire crews pulled two dogs from an apartment that caught fire Thursday afternoon .
The fire occurred after 4 @ @ @ @ @ structure in the 11800 block of East Colfax Avenue , according to Aurora Fire Rescue @ @ @ @ @ , but one dog was taken to a vet .
Investigators are still working to @ @ @ @ @ fire .
Crews were able to contain the fire to one unit and said it @ @ @ @ @ .

Aurora fire crews pulled two dogs from an apartment that caught fire Thursday afternoon.
The fire occurred after 4 p.m. at a multi-family residential structure in the 11800 block of East Colfax Avenue, according to Aurora Fire Rescue. No people were injured, but one dog was taken to a vet.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. Crews were able to contain the fire to one unit and said it’s now under control.


thedenverpost--2020-09-17--Four charged in shooting death of 17-year-old in Wheat Ridge

Four teens accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old in Wheat Ridge have been charged with first-degree murder , according to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
The four were arrested this month in connection with the killing @ @ @ @ @ 13 in Panorama Park , months after another 17-year-old was arrested and charged in the @ @ @ @ @ found Pimentel lying on the ground with a gunshot wound near 33rd Avenue and Chase @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead , according to the district attorney ’ s office .
Sincere Trujillo , @ @ @ @ @ , 19 , were charged with 14 counts , including first-degree murder , according to @ @ @ @ @ office .
Two juveniles also were arrested and charged .
They will not be publicly @ @ @ @ @ charged as adults .
Their co-defendant , 17-year-old Julian Santos Campos , was arrested April @ @ @ @ @ adult also with 14 counts , including first-degree murder .
All are being held without @ @

Four teens accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old in Wheat Ridge have been charged with first-degree murder, according to the Jefferson County district attorney’s office.
The four were arrested this month in connection with the killing of Nimijah Pimentel on April 13 in Panorama Park, months after another 17-year-old was arrested and charged in the case. Wheat Ridge police found Pimentel lying on the ground with a gunshot wound near 33rd Avenue and Chase Street, where he was pronounced dead, according to the district attorney’s office.
Sincere Trujillo, 18, and Esteban Lucero, 19, were charged with 14 counts, including first-degree murder, according to the district attorney’s office. Two juveniles also were arrested and charged. They will not be publicly named unless they are later charged as adults.
Their co-defendant, 17-year-old Julian Santos Campos, was arrested April 13 and charged as an adult also with 14 counts, including first-degree murder.
All are being held without bail.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Brauchler: Jena Griswold and Phil Weiser deserve three cheers for their activism — hip, hip, hypocri

Brauchler: Jena Griswold and Phil Weiser deserve three cheers for their activism — hip, hip, hypocrisy

Coloradans are surely blessed to have two of the most earnest and sincere champions of our democracy in our state .
Whatever would we do without our stalwart secretary of state and venerable attorney general defending the integrity of our election from the very real and not to be trifled with threats of postcards and tweets ?
When President Donald Trump , a Republican ( an irrelevant fact to our non-partisan democracy defenders ) , publicly encouraged North Carolina voters to vote by mail early and then to vote by mail early and then “ go to your Polling Place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IF NOT , VOTE !
, ” Secretary of State Jena Griswold sprang into action .
She publicly , repeatedly , and on numerous national media networks threatened “ [ t ] his is encouraging voter fraud , and I will refer you for prosecution if warranted.
” The Democrat threw a Twitter haymaker with “ I never imagined that as secretary of state I would have to inform both the president & the U.S. attorney general that it is illegal to vote twice.
” Coloradans likely never imagined such strong words from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office told Kyle Clark from 9News only six months ago that Democratic primary voters who had already cast their ballots by mail for a presidential candidate who later dropped out could … wait for it … go to a polling place and cast another ballot .
Oops .
But don ’ t worry , that tweet-savvy Colorado secretary of state later responded to Clark ’ s reporting of the potentially criminal advice by boldly , decisively blaming the media for reporting her office ’ s statement .
• Brauchler : There should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s stadiums and arenas • Brauchler : Peace , please , at the Elijah McClain protests this Sunday • Brauchler : The crime wave in Colorado has been building for a while , but now it ’ s at a breaking point • Brauchler : If you care about justice , your vote for district attorney matters — a lot Three cheers for officials who defend our elections !
Hip , hip , hypocrisy !
Mum also was the word from Griswold last year when the Democrat ( again , totally irrelevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s third most populous county ( Arapahoe ) sent out a taxpayer-funded , full-color voter information mailer ( sound familiar ? )
that encouraged voters to “ vote early and vote often.
” Silent , too , for these whoopsies was our Democrat ( likely coincidental ) attorney general .
But now , they are ready to fight back against a devastatingly inaccurate USPS mailer that the Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser characterized as an “ attempt at voter suppression [ which ] violates the United States Constitution and federal statutes and must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
To really understand why our SOS and AG filed a lawsuit against USPS to “ protect our democracy ” from a mailer that is “ interfering with our election , ” we must dissect this maleficent mailer .
It begins deceptively by limiting its intended audience : “ If you vote by mail.
” All Colorado voters will receive their ballots by mail , but will be informed that they are not required to mail them back in order to vote .
By its tricky terms , the mailer is not addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government office .
Outrageous !
Voters can not be trusted to read the mailer , just complicated ballot language .
“ Start today .
Give yourself and your election officials ample time to complete the process.
” This is clearly designed to lull voters into a false sense of proactivity .
“ Rules and dates vary by state , so contact your election board to confirm .
Find links at usps.com/votinginfo.
” Skip over the accurate “ vary by state ” nonsense .
I checked that link .
It unscrupulously opens an entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to timely and safely vote by mail , whether in the United States or deployed with the military .
Unconscionable .
“ Request your mail-in ballot ( often called “ absentee ” ballot ) at least 15 days before Election Day.
” As every voter who has been here for any election since 2013 knows , Colorado does not make voters request ballots .
Our state forces them on you .
It sends them to you whether you want them or not , whether you ’ ve voted in past elections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have moved out of state , or even moved on to the afterlife .
Nonetheless , it is obvious how this super-confusing language could suppress voter turnout in our November election , as the attorney genearl alleges .
If a voter reads this misinformation and does nothing , they ’ ll get a ballot in the mail .
If — instead — they read the mailer , believe it , and try ( unsuccessfully ) to request a ballot by their local clerk and recorder , or God forbid , bother the secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she is calling the kettle black , they will break the entire system and… still get a ballot in the mail .
Chaos .
Disenfranchisement of the highest order , if “ disenfranchisement ” means nothing will stop ballots from being mailed to voters .
In fact , I am unaware of any mechanism by which an environmentally , election agnostic voter can prevent a ballot from being sent to them .
If this is you , see if you can stop a ballot from being mailed to you .
Wait , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , please don ’ t prosecute me .
The mailer confusion is compounded by the remaining language .
“ Once received , follow the instructions .
Add postage to the return envelope if needed.
” You bastards .
Follow the instructions ?
How patronizing .
The gratuitous reference to additional postage “ if needed ” is beyond the pale .
For the Republic !
“ We recommend you mail your ballot at least 7 days before Election Day.
” While , yes , seven days is completely consistent with the law and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clerks and recorders , it is wildly different than the secretary of state ’ s advice of … eight days .
The words “ at least ” and “ follow the instructions ” are powerless to ameliorate this reckless recommendation .
Clearly , this is voter suppression .
Eight days is the set-in-stone , immutable , arbitrarily chosen time in which to get a mailed ballot in and counted .
Ignore the fact that the “ vote early and vote often ” mailer , referenced above , encouraged voters to mail their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smooth delivery.
” I am sure that was some kind of misprint .
Probably the media ’ s fault .
Or Trump ’ s .
Colorado should be thankful we have officials who will defend our democracy in an aggressive , consistent , non-partisan manner to prevent voter misinformation from nefarious USPS mailers .
No sarcasm was injured during the writing of this column .
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District , which includes Arapahoe , Douglas , Elbert and Lincoln counties .
Follow him @ GeorgeBrauchler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Coloradans are surely blessed to have two of the most earnest and sincere champions of our democracy in our state. Whatever would we do without our stalwart secretary of state and venerable attorney general defending the integrity of our election from the very real and not to be trifled with threats of postcards and tweets?
When President Donald Trump, a Republican (an irrelevant fact to our non-partisan democracy defenders), publicly encouraged North Carolina voters to vote by mail early and then “go to your Polling Place to see if it was COUNTED. IF NOT, VOTE!,” Secretary of State Jena Griswold sprang into action. She publicly, repeatedly, and on numerous national media networks threatened “[t]his is encouraging voter fraud, and I will refer you for prosecution if warranted.”
The Democrat threw a Twitter haymaker with “I never imagined that as secretary of state I would have to inform both the president & the U.S. attorney general that it is illegal to vote twice.”
Coloradans likely never imagined such strong words from the very same statewide elected official whose office told Kyle Clark from 9News only six months ago that Democratic primary voters who had already cast their ballots by mail for a presidential candidate who later dropped out could … wait for it … go to a polling place and cast another ballot. Oops. But don’t worry, that tweet-savvy Colorado secretary of state later responded to Clark’s reporting of the potentially criminal advice by boldly, decisively blaming the media for reporting her office’s statement. Related Articles Opinion Columnists | Brauchler: There should be a no-politics, no-policy zone protecting America’s stadiums and arenas
Brauchler: There should be a no-politics, no-policy zone protecting America’s stadiums and arenas Opinion Columnists | Brauchler: Peace, please, at the Elijah McClain protests this Sunday
Brauchler: Peace, please, at the Elijah McClain protests this Sunday Opinion Columnists | Brauchler: Denver’s disrepair and slide from greatness
Brauchler: Denver’s disrepair and slide from greatness Opinion Columnists | Brauchler: The crime wave in Colorado has been building for a while, but now it’s at a breaking point
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Three cheers for officials who defend our elections! Hip, hip, hypocrisy!
Mum also was the word from Griswold last year when the Democrat (again, totally irrelevant) clerk and recorder for Colorado’s third most populous county (Arapahoe) sent out a taxpayer-funded, full-color voter information mailer (sound familiar?) that encouraged voters to “vote early and vote often.” Silent, too, for these whoopsies was our Democrat (likely coincidental) attorney general, Phil Weiser.
But now, they are ready to fight a devastatingly inaccurate USPS mailer the two characterized as an attempt at voter suppression that “violates the United States Constitution and federal statutes and must be stopped immediately.” Call to action!
To really understand why our SOS and AG filed a lawsuit against USPS to “protect our democracy” from a mailer that is “interfering with our election,” we must dissect this maleficent mailer.
It begins deceptively by limiting its intended audience: “If you vote by mail.” All Colorado voters will receive their ballots by mail, but will be informed that they are not required to mail them back in order to vote. By its tricky terms, the mailer is not addressing those who will vote by dropbox or government office. Outrageous! Voters cannot be trusted to read the mailer, just complicated ballot language.
“Start today. Give yourself and your election officials ample time to complete the process.” This is clearly designed to lull voters into a false sense of proactivity.
“Rules and dates vary by state, so contact your election board to confirm. Find links at usps.com/votinginfo.” Skip over the accurate “vary by state” nonsense. I checked that link. It unscrupulously opens an entire webpage full of guidance reassuring people on how to timely and safely vote by mail, whether in the United States or deployed with the military. Unconscionable.
“Request your mail-in ballot (often called “absentee” ballot) at least 15 days before Election Day.” As every voter who has been here for any election since 2013 knows, Colorado does not make voters request ballots. Our state forces them on you. It sends them to you whether you want them or not, whether you’ve voted in past elections, and in some cases, whether you have moved out of state, or even moved on to the afterlife. Nonetheless, it is obvious how this super-confusing language could suppress voter turnout in our November election, as the attorney general alleges. If a voter reads this misinformation and does nothing, they’ll get a ballot in the mail. If — instead — they read the mailer, believe it, and try (unsuccessfully) to request a ballot by their local clerk and recorder, or God forbid, bother the secretary of state between her cable news appearances where she is calling the kettle black, they will break the entire system and… still get a ballot in the mail. Chaos. Disenfranchisement of the highest order, if “disenfranchisement” means nothing will stop ballots from being mailed to voters.
In fact, I am unaware of any mechanism by which an environmentally, election agnostic voter can prevent a ballot from being sent to them. If this is you, see if you can stop a ballot from being mailed to you. Wait, I didn’t really mean that, please don’t prosecute me.
The mailer confusion is compounded by the remaining language.
“Once received, follow the instructions. Add postage to the return envelope if needed.” You bastards. Follow the instructions? How patronizing. The gratuitous reference to additional postage “if needed” is beyond the pale. For the Republic!
“We recommend you mail your ballot at least 7 days before Election Day.” While, yes, seven days is completely consistent with the law and is more than enough time to mail ballots to clerks and recorders, it is wildly different than the secretary of state’s advice of … eight days. The words “at least” and “follow the instructions” are powerless to ameliorate this reckless recommendation. Clearly, this is voter suppression. Eight days is the set-in-stone, immutable, arbitrarily chosen time in which to get a mailed ballot in and counted. Ignore the fact that the “vote early and vote often” mailer, referenced above, encouraged voters to mail their ballots “one week earlier to ensure smooth delivery.” I am sure that was some kind of misprint. Probably the media’s fault. Or Trump’s.
Colorado should be thankful we have officials who will defend our democracy in an aggressive, consistent, non-partisan manner to prevent voter misinformation from nefarious USPS mailers.
No sarcasm was injured during the writing of this column.
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. Follow him @GeorgeBrauchler.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--U.S. banning use of WeChat, TikTok for national security starting Sunday

WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department will roll out a ban of transactions in the U.S. using TikTok and WeChat starting @ @ @ @ @ was put into place , according to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , to “ combat @ @ @ @ @ of American citizens ’ personal data.
” The government previously said that using and downloading @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be a banned transaction , although messaging on the app “ could be @ @ @ @ @ by the ban , and people who use it for messaging won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ security experts have raised concerns that ByteDance Ltd. , the Chinese company that owns TikTok @ @ @ @ @ information on the 100 million TikTok users in the United States , creating a security @ @

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will ban the downloads of the Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat on Sunday, with a total ban on the use of the latter, citing national security and data privacy concerns.
A total ban on the use of TikTok will follow on Nov. 12, but Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said early Friday on Fox Business Network that access to that app may be possible if certain safeguards are put into place.
“At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations,” Ross said in a prepared statement.
The government said its order, previously announced by President Donald Trump in August, will “combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data.”
The government order also raises questions about California tech giant Oracle’s recent deal to take over U.S. operations of TikTok, a requirement by the Trump administration for the app to continue operating in the U.S.
Details of the Oracle-TikTok deal were sketchy at best. Oracle was among the pool of bidders, including Microsoft and Walmart, to buy TikTok’s American operations.
Oracle, in confirming it was the winning bidder Monday, didn’t refer to the deal as a sale or acquisition, instead saying it was chosen as TikTok’s “trusted technology provider.”
It’s unclear at this point what assets, if any, Oracle would actually acquire.
Some security experts have raised concerns that ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese company that owns TikTok, would maintain access to information on the 100 million TikTok users in the United States, creating a security risk.
Like most social networks, TikTok collects user data and moderates users’ posts. It grabs users’ locations and messages and tracks what they watch to figure out how best to target ads to them.
Similar concerns apply to U.S.-based social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, but Chinese ownership adds an extra wrinkle because the Chinese government could order companies to help it gather intelligence.
TikTok says it does not store U.S. user data in China and that it would not give user data to the government. But experts say the Chinese government can get any information it wants from companies there.
The action is the Trump administration’s latest attempt to weaken influence from China, a rising economic superpower. Since taking office in 2017, Trump has waged a trade war with China, blocked mergers involving Chinese companies and stifled the business of Chinese firms like Huawei, a maker of phones and telecom equipment. China-backed hackers, meanwhile, have been blamed for data breaches of U.S. federal databases and the credit agency Equifax, and the Chinese government strictly limits what U.S. tech companies can do in China.
Republican and Democratic lawmaker concerns about TikTok include its vulnerability to censorship and misinformation campaigns, and the safety of user data and children’s privacy. But the administration has provided no specific evidence that TikTok has made U.S. users’ data available to the Chinese government.
Officials point to the hypothetical threat that lies in the Chinese government’s ability to demand cooperation from Chinese companies.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--New model projects manageable increase in Colorado’s COVID-19 cases — so long as people keep up prec

New model projects manageable increase in Colorado’s COVID-19 cases — so long as people keep up precautions

A new report modeling the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado suggests the state could continue to see more cases in the short term , but they ’ re not likely to reach unmanageable levels unless people further relax their precautions .
The model , from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado School of Public Health , attempts to gauge how much social distancing the public is practicing , how many people are currently contagious and how many others they ’ re likely to spread the virus to .
If most people continue behaving roughly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase over the next two months , but not get out of control .
If significant numbers of Coloradans stop taking precautions , it ’ s possible there could be more intensive care patients than beds in the winter or spring .
“ It looks like we ’ re in a place where things are stable or very slowly increasing , ” said Beth Carlton , an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health .
The number of people who are currently infected is relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the odds that any particular person has the virus and could give it to you , Carlton said .
But it ’ s still important to wear masks and avoid crowded , poorly ventilated spaces , she said , because the more people you encounter under conditions where the virus spreads easily , the less the numbers work in your favor .
Models lay out possible scenarios based on certain conditions continuing .
They haven ’ t been as successful in predicting the course of this pandemic as they are with some diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior more drastically than usual , buckling down as cases rise and reducing their precautions when they start to fall again .
As schools reopen and other parts of life return to normal , the average person will have more close contacts , Carlton said .
What ’ s unknown is how many of those contacts will be high risk , she said .
“ Now we know there are ways to interact with people that are lower risk , ” she said .
Another models suggest a similar trajectory , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia ’ s PolicyLab showed cases stabilizing or slightly increasing over the next two weeks in 14 Colorado counties .
The model attempts to account for changing weather , along with levels of social distancing , because respiratory viruses spread more easily in the cold , said Dr. David Rubin , director of PolicyLab .
Even areas of Colorado that have seen an increase in cases , like Boulder County , don ’ t look too bad at this point , Rubin said .
Boulder County ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some university communities , and that indicates that the University of Colorado Boulder and local health officials may be succeeding in keeping the virus contained in the student population , he said .
“ They ’ re not out of the woods , but there ’ s not a clear indication things are getting worse , ” he said .

A new report modeling the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado suggests the state could continue to see more cases in the short term, but they’re not likely to reach unmanageable levels unless people further relax their precautions.
The model, from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado School of Public Health, attempts to gauge how much social distancing the public is practicing, how many people are currently contagious and how many others they’re likely to spread the virus to.
If most people continue behaving roughly as they do now, cases are projected to increase over the next two months, but not get out of control. If significant numbers of Coloradans stop taking precautions, it’s possible there could be more intensive care patients than beds in the winter or spring.
“It looks like we’re in a place where things are stable or very slowly increasing,” said Beth Carlton, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health.
The number of people who are currently infected is relatively low at this point, which decreases the odds that any particular person has the virus and could give it to you, Carlton said. But it’s still important to wear masks and avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces, she said, because the more people you encounter under conditions where the virus spreads easily, the less the numbers work in your favor.
Models lay out possible scenarios based on certain conditions continuing. They haven’t been as successful in predicting the course of this pandemic as they are with some diseases because people have tended to change their behavior more drastically than usual, buckling down as cases rise and reducing their precautions when they start to fall again.
As schools reopen and other parts of life return to normal, the average person will have more close contacts, Carlton said. What’s unknown is how many of those contacts will be high risk, she said.
“Now we know there are ways to interact with people that are lower risk,” she said.
Another models suggest a similar trajectory, at least in the short term.
Projections from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s PolicyLab showed cases stabilizing or slightly increasing over the next two weeks in 14 Colorado counties. The model attempts to account for changing weather, along with levels of social distancing, because respiratory viruses spread more easily in the cold, said Dr. David Rubin, director of PolicyLab.
Even areas of Colorado that have seen an increase in cases, like Boulder County, don’t look too bad at this point, Rubin said. Boulder County’s positivity rate has remained low compared to some university communities, and that indicates that the University of Colorado Boulder and local health officials may be succeeding in keeping the virus contained in the student population, he said.
“They’re not out of the woods, but there’s not a clear indication things are getting worse,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Opening of N-Line to Denver’s north suburbs a rare “bright spot” for COVID-battered transit sector

RTD has spent the better part of a decade launching new train lines across the metro area as the sprawling transit agency aims to fulfill the promise it made nearly 16 years ago , when voters approved the multibillion-dollar FasTracks and its promised 120-plus miles of rail .
On Monday , the Regional Transportation District will open what will likely be — at least for the foreseeable future — the last major rail corridor in its 2,342-square-mile service area .
But the debut of the N-Line to the city ’ s northern suburbs will be like no other opening RTD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic having gutted transit ridership .
The 13-mile commuter rail line connecting Union Station to Commerce City , Northglenn and Thornton is one of the only major transit projects anywhere to go operational in the midst of a global health crisis , and its launch next week raises fresh questions about what the future of public transportation will look like once the coronavirus fades into memory .
In Colorado alone , the pandemic has sunk RTD ’ s ridership a whopping 64.4 % during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to American Public Transportation Association data .
RTD projects a budget shortfall of $ 215 million next year as a result of the economic disruption , and the agency is contemplating the possible elimination of more than 500 jobs .
But outgoing Interim General Manager Paul Ballard noted The Denver Post that the N-Line has been on the drawing board for more than a decade , with construction of the $ 832 million project having commenced back in 2014 .
Pandemic or no pandemic , it needs to open now that the work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you make that kind of investment , you have to put it into operation , ” he said .
Still , COVID-19 is not making things easy for RTD ’ s latest rail launch .
Because of the ridership plunge across the district that started in March with the arrival of the virus , Ballard says the N-Line will likely carry less than half of the projected 5,600 to 8,100 daily riders it was expected to have at the end of its first year .
Already the agency has adjusted service frequency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as originally planned , to every 30 minutes .
And RTD will reduce the number of trains it uses in the corridor from five to three .
But Ballard is confident that the impacts of COVID-19 on transit ’ s future won ’ t be as dire or as long-lasting as some are speculating , even with the fundamental changes the virus has wrought in working habits across the country .
He called the N-Line ’ s opening “ one of the few bright spots ” in an otherwise awful year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ blip , ” he said of the pandemic .
“ I think people will come back to the office .
People will still want to communicate face to face — or at least mask to mask.
” Experts contacted for this story said the transit sector has been through trials before , whether it ’ s competition with ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft or the advent of teleworking more than a decade ago .
Ram Pendyala , a professor of transportation systems at Arizona State University , said the industry will weather this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic fades — or we figure out how to manage it — things will get back to whatever the new normal might be , and I don ’ t think it ’ s going to be that much different from the old normal , ” he said .
“ Transit is still a very effective way to carry a lot of people when there is a lot of traffic on the roads.
” While tech companies like Google have announced extended work-from-home arrangements for their employees into 2021 , Pendyala said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to standard operating procedure .
The Wall Street Journal reported that JPMorgan Chase ordered its trading staff back to the office starting next week .
“ There ’ s a lot of America that is beyond Google , Facebook and Apple , ” Pendyala said .
“ There ’ s no question that there ’ s a huge number of workers — Walmart stockers , janitors and hourly staff — that need to get to work.
” Transit , he said , has been getting a bad rap as news outlets paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but other parts of the economy — like concert venues , airlines and the cruise industry — are in the same predicament .
“ Transit is not alone so don ’ t pick on transit , ” he said .
Art Guzzetti , vice president of policy and mobility with the American Public Transportation Association , also challenged the idea that the coronavirus has forever altered transit .
“ To say transit won ’ t come back is to say large public events won ’ t come back , that sports won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who helped lead transit agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey .
He said people are at their core social animals , and shared work spaces , where employees can gather and bounce ideas off one another , have thrived as a result .
The power of in-person collaboration won ’ t simply melt away as a result of a global pandemic , he said .
“ There ’ s a reason cities have tall buildings — they allow creative people to connect with one another through commerce , ” Guzzetti said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dig itself out of a budgetary hole and deal with service levels that have been drastically cut since April .
And it must do so at a time when it is turning over power at the highest level , welcoming Debra Johnson as the general manager of the 51-year-old agency .
Johnson , deputy CEO of Long Beach Transit in California for the last six years , is expected to start at RTD in November .
And with her induction will come familiar and lingering complaints about RTD ’ s rollout of FasTracks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online after a two-year delay , a similar train to Boulder and Longmont is still years away from becoming reality due to a bloated price tag and difficulties negotiating a track-sharing agreement with BNSF .
Even the N-Line itself isn ’ t complete — another 5.5-mile segment extending further north is in the corridor ’ s blueprint but has no funding to proceed .
Still , Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann is happy to have the portion that is opening next week .
On Thursday , Kulmann took a ride on the new line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which features a 29-minute journey to Union Station with six stations and Colorado ’ s longest bridge .
She said it will take traffic off of overtaxed Interstate 25 and provide a direct link for city residents and visitors .
“ I think it will help revitalize Thornton , ” Kulmann said .
“ We have an opportunity now to bring people to Thornton and see what we have to offer.
” It will be the first rail line in RTD ’ s system to charge the same $ 3 fare at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rolling out for the first six months — as opposed to using a tiered approach that costs passengers more the longer they ride .
Kulmann called transit an “ equalizer ” for those who can ’ t afford a car or can ’ t pay for rides by taxi or Uber .
“ I think the voters are going to be very happy about this , ” she said .
IF YOU GO What : The launch of N-Line service When : 10 a.m. Monday ; passenger boarding begins in-person at noon @ @ @ @ @ @ @

RTD has spent the better part of a decade launching new train lines across the metro area as the sprawling transit agency aims to fulfill the promise it made nearly 16 years ago, when voters approved the multibillion-dollar FasTracks and its promised 120-plus miles of rail.
On Monday, the Regional Transportation District will open what will likely be — at least for the foreseeable future — the last major rail corridor in its 2,342-square-mile service area. But the debut of the N-Line to the city’s northern suburbs will be like no other opening RTD has held before, with the coronavirus pandemic having gutted transit ridership.
The 13-mile commuter rail line connecting Union Station to Commerce City, Northglenn and Thornton is one of the only major transit projects anywhere to go operational in the midst of a global health crisis, and its launch next week raises fresh questions about what the future of public transportation will look like once the coronavirus fades into memory.
In Colorado alone, the pandemic has sunk RTD’s ridership a whopping 64.4% during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the same period the year before, according to American Public Transportation Association data. RTD projects a budget shortfall of $215 million next year as a result of the economic disruption, and the agency is contemplating the possible elimination of more than 500 jobs.
But outgoing Interim General Manager Paul Ballard noted The Denver Post that the N-Line has been on the drawing board for more than a decade, with construction of the $832 million project having commenced back in 2014. Pandemic or no pandemic, it needs to open now that the work is complete, he said.
“When you make that kind of investment, you have to put it into operation,” he said.
Still, COVID-19 is not making things easy for RTD’s latest rail launch. Because of the ridership plunge across the district that started in March with the arrival of the virus, Ballard says the N-Line will likely carry less than half of the projected 5,600 to 8,100 daily riders it was expected to have at the end of its first year.
Already the agency has adjusted service frequency on the N-Line from every 20 minutes, as originally planned, to every 30 minutes. And RTD will reduce the number of trains it uses in the corridor from five to three.
But Ballard is confident that the impacts of COVID-19 on transit’s future won’t be as dire or as long-lasting as some are speculating, even with the fundamental changes the virus has wrought in working habits across the country. He called the N-Line’s opening “one of the few bright spots” in an otherwise awful year.
“This is going to be a blip,” he said of the pandemic. “I think people will come back to the office. People will still want to communicate face to face — or at least mask to mask.”
“Don’t pick on transit”
Experts contacted for this story said the transit sector has been through trials before, whether it’s competition with ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft or the advent of teleworking more than a decade ago. Ram Pendyala, a professor of transportation systems at Arizona State University, said the industry will weather this challenge, as well.
“As the pandemic fades — or we figure out how to manage it — things will get back to whatever the new normal might be, and I don’t think it’s going to be that much different from the old normal,” he said. “Transit is still a very effective way to carry a lot of people when there is a lot of traffic on the roads.”
While tech companies like Google have announced extended work-from-home arrangements for their employees into 2021, Pendyala said that is offset by firms trying to get back to standard operating procedure. The Wall Street Journal reported that JPMorgan Chase ordered its trading staff back to the office starting next week.
“There’s a lot of America that is beyond Google, Facebook and Apple,” Pendyala said. “There’s no question that there’s a huge number of workers — Walmart stockers, janitors and hourly staff — that need to get to work.”
Transit, he said, has been getting a bad rap as news outlets paint its current condition in grim terms, but other parts of the economy — like concert venues, airlines and the cruise industry — are in the same predicament.
“Transit is not alone so don’t pick on transit,” he said.
Art Guzzetti, vice president of policy and mobility with the American Public Transportation Association, also challenged the idea that the coronavirus has forever altered transit.
“To say transit won’t come back is to say large public events won’t come back, that sports won’t come back,” said Guzzetti, who helped lead transit agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
He said people are at their core social animals, and shared work spaces, where employees can gather and bounce ideas off one another, have thrived as a result. The power of in-person collaboration won’t simply melt away as a result of a global pandemic, he said.
“There’s a reason cities have tall buildings — they allow creative people to connect with one another through commerce,” Guzzetti said.
More track to lay
In the meantime, RTD has to dig itself out of a budgetary hole and deal with service levels that have been drastically cut since April. And it must do so at a time when it is turning over power at the highest level, welcoming Debra Johnson as the general manager of the 51-year-old agency.
Johnson, deputy CEO of Long Beach Transit in California for the last six years, is expected to start at RTD in November. And with her induction will come familiar and lingering complaints about RTD’s rollout of FasTracks.
While the N-Line is finally coming online after a two-year delay, a similar train to Boulder and Longmont is still years away from becoming reality due to a bloated price tag and difficulties negotiating a track-sharing agreement with BNSF. Even the N-Line itself isn’t complete — another 5.5-mile segment extending further north is in the corridor’s blueprint but has no funding to proceed.
Still, Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann is happy to have the portion that is opening next week. On Thursday, Kulmann took a ride on the new line during a media preview of the service, which features a 29-minute journey to Union Station with six stations and Colorado’s longest bridge.
She said it will take traffic off of overtaxed Interstate 25 and provide a direct link for city residents and visitors.
“I think it will help revitalize Thornton,” Kulmann said. “We have an opportunity now to bring people to Thornton and see what we have to offer.”
It will be the first rail line in RTD’s system to charge the same $3 fare at any station — a pilot program it is rolling out for the first six months — as opposed to using a tiered approach that costs passengers more the longer they ride. Kulmann called transit an “equalizer” for those who can’t afford a car or can’t pay for rides by taxi or Uber.
“I think the voters are going to be very happy about this,” she said.
IF YOU GO
What: The launch of N-Line service
When: 10 a.m. Monday; passenger boarding begins in-person at noon
Where: On the N-Line YouTube page
Cost: Free through Sept. 27; $3 thereafter


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--IRS makes last call on millions in unclaimed Economic Impact Payments

The Internal Revenue Service has mailed tens of thousands of letters to Colorado households urging them to claim the federal payments due them under the CARES Act before an Oct. 15 deadline passes .
The IRS estimates nearly 8.9 million U.S. households , including 177,000 in Colorado , either haven ’ t filed a tax return or reached out to the IRS directly to claim their Economic Impact Payments .
For most , those payments run $ 1,200 per individual , $ 2,400 per married couple , and $ 500 per dependent child under age 17 .
“ These mailings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach as many people as possible for these important payments , ” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement .
“ Time is running out to claim a payment before the deadline.
” Colorado residents have collected $ 4.57 billion in EIP money so far , according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation .
But hundreds of millions more remain unclaimed .
The reasons vary , but typically it ’ s because someone didn ’ t make enough income last year or the year before to have to file a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment yet is to go to the IRS website for non-filers and request payment .
Another is to file a return based on last year ’ s income before Oct. 15 .
Although the official deadline this year was July 15 , that was for those who owed the government money .
A free resource to help those still looking to file is the website getyourrefund.org .
Kelly Wagoner , director of Get Ahead Colorado , a program of the Piton Foundation , suggests lower-income households would be better off filing a tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are probably also eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit .
( EITC ) The EITC can provide up to $ 6,500 to eligible tax filers .
Next year it will max out at $ 6,660 .
The average EITC payment is around $ 2,200 in Colorado .
And the credit can be claimed up to three years in arrears .
About one in four Colorado taxpayers eligible to receive the EITC don ’ t claim it , Wagoner said .
And given the loss of work and income during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to claim the credit next year .
Get Ahead Colorado offers a calculator to help people determine if they are eligible .
Lower-income households are less likely to have access to technology , and libraries and other locations with public computers were closed in the early days of the pandemic , Wagoner said .
Others have changed an address because of the pandemic , meaning the IRS letter may not reach them .
Some simply distrust the government and prefer to stay under the radar .
Whatever the reason , given the hardships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money could prove a big help .

The Internal Revenue Service has mailed tens of thousands of letters to Colorado households urging them to claim the federal payments due them under the CARES Act before an Oct. 15 deadline passes.
The IRS estimates nearly 8.9 million U.S. households, including 177,000 in Colorado, either haven’t filed a tax return or reached out to the IRS directly to claim their Economic Impact Payments. For most, those payments run $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per married couple, and $500 per dependent child under age 17.
“These mailings are the latest step by the IRS to reach as many people as possible for these important payments,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement. “Time is running out to claim a payment before the deadline.”
Colorado residents have collected $4.57 billion in EIP money so far, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. But hundreds of millions more remain unclaimed. The reasons vary, but typically it’s because someone didn’t make enough income last year or the year before to have to file a return.
One option for those without payment yet is to go to the IRS website for non-filers and request payment or to call 1-800-919-9835. Another is to file a return based on last year’s income before Oct. 15. Although the official deadline this year was July 15, that was for those who owed the government money. A free resource to help those still looking to file is the website getyourrefund.org.
Kelly Wagoner, director of Get Ahead Colorado, a program of the Piton Foundation, suggests lower-income households would be better off filing a tax return. That’s because most are probably also eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. (EITC)
The EITC can provide up to $6,500 to eligible tax filers. Next year it will max out at $6,660. The average EITC payment is around $2,200 in Colorado. And the credit can be claimed up to three years in arrears.
About one in four Colorado taxpayers eligible to receive the EITC don’t claim it, Wagoner said. And given the loss of work and income during the pandemic, even more people should be eligible to claim the credit next year. Get Ahead Colorado offers a calculator to help people determine if they are eligible.
Lower-income households are less likely to have access to technology, and libraries and other locations with public computers were closed in the early days of the pandemic, Wagoner said. Others have changed an address because of the pandemic, meaning the IRS letter may not reach them. Some simply distrust the government and prefer to stay under the radar.
Whatever the reason, given the hardships many families are enduring, she said the money could prove a big help.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Fact check: Hickenlooper says “we didn’t go on vacation” during wildfires, but he took vacation time

U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper , who has criticized Sen. Cory Gardner for taking a “ vacation ” during the coronavirus pandemic , himself took vacation time out of state during wildfires when he was governor .
Hickenlooper , a Democrat , has sought in recent months to contrast his work as governor with the efforts of Gardner , a Yuma Republican , during this year ’ s pandemic and referred to the Senate ’ s regularly scheduled August recess as a vacation for Gardner .
“ When Colorado faced wildfires and floods , we didn ’ t go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hickenlooper said during a virtual event last week .
But governor ’ s office calendars and previous news coverage show that least twice while governor , he left Colorado for apparent vacations while parts of the state were on fire .
A recent campaign ad — Hickenlooper ’ s first negative one in his 17-year political career — also called Gardner out for going on vacation instead of passing coronavirus relief .
Gardner campaign spokesperson Jerrod Dobkin said Gardner didn ’ t vacation in August but rather spent the month crisscrossing Colorado .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him visiting different parts of the state , taking part in several wildfire briefings , and campaigning .
Hickenlooper traveled June 7 , 2018 , to Bilderberg meetings in Turin , Italy , where Colorado ’ s Independent Ethics Commission subsequently determined he violated state ethics laws by accepting free meals and a ride in a Maserati limousine from Fiat Chrysler .
Hickenlooper acknowledged that he used vacation time for the trip but “ was always on the job as governor , ” one state ethics investigator wrote .
Six days before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durango allegedly ignited what came to be known as the 416 fire , one of the most destructive wildfires in the state ’ s history , forcing thousands to evacuate , destroying 54,000 acres and resulting in tens of millions of dollars in economic harm .
Sweetie Marbury , who was the mayor of Durango then and who has endorsed Hickenlooper , says the governor was always in contact with her and others in the southwest mountain town , even while traveling .
“ John was always right there in our corner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hickenlooper took another trip on July 22 of the same year , after the 416 fire was largely contained but continued to burn .
He flew to New Hampshire for a summer vacation , according to local media reports at the time .
His heavily redacted calendars indicate his only state business over the course of about a week was a speech in Boston .
Kevin Klein , the state ’ s director of homeland security and emergency management , said he kept in touch with Hickenlooper that summer as the governor traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Hickenlooper didn ’ t stop working , and Coloradans got the help they needed , ” said Melissa Miller , a Hickenlooper campaign spokesperson .
“ The same can ’ t be said for Senator Gardner , who said it would be ‘ unfathomable ’ for the Senate to go on recess without passing coronavirus relief and then did exactly that , multiple times .
”

U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper, who has criticized Sen. Cory Gardner for taking a “vacation” during the coronavirus pandemic, himself took vacation time out of state during wildfires when he was governor.
Hickenlooper, a Democrat, has sought in recent months to contrast his work as governor with the efforts of Gardner, a Yuma Republican, during this year’s pandemic and referred to the Senate’s regularly scheduled August recess as a vacation for Gardner.
“When Colorado faced wildfires and floods, we didn’t go on vacation while people were suffering,” Hickenlooper said during a virtual event last week.
But governor’s office calendars and previous news coverage show that least twice while governor, he left Colorado for apparent vacations while parts of the state were on fire.
A recent campaign ad — Hickenlooper’s first negative one in his 17-year political career — also called Gardner out for going on vacation instead of passing coronavirus relief. Gardner campaign spokesperson Jerrod Dobkin said Gardner didn’t vacation in August but rather spent the month crisscrossing Colorado. Gardner’s social media accounts show him visiting different parts of the state, taking part in several wildfire briefings, and campaigning.
Hickenlooper traveled June 7, 2018, to Bilderberg meetings in Turin, Italy, where Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission subsequently determined he violated state ethics laws by accepting free meals and a ride in a Maserati limousine from Fiat Chrysler. Hickenlooper acknowledged that he used vacation time for the trip but “was always on the job as governor,” one state ethics investigator wrote.
Six days before he left for Italy, a train near Durango allegedly ignited what came to be known as the 416 fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in the state’s history, forcing thousands to evacuate, destroying 54,000 acres and resulting in tens of millions of dollars in economic harm.
Sweetie Marbury, who was the mayor of Durango then and who has endorsed Hickenlooper, says the governor was always in contact with her and others in the southwest mountain town, even while traveling.
“John was always right there in our corner,” she told The Denver Post.
Hickenlooper took another trip on July 22 of the same year, after the 416 fire was largely contained but continued to burn. He flew to New Hampshire for a summer vacation, according to local media reports at the time. His heavily redacted calendars indicate his only state business over the course of about a week was a speech in Boston.
Kevin Klein, the state’s director of homeland security and emergency management, said he kept in touch with Hickenlooper that summer as the governor traveled.
“When Colorado faced crises, Governor Hickenlooper didn’t stop working, and Coloradans got the help they needed,” said Melissa Miller, a Hickenlooper campaign spokesperson. “The same can’t be said for Senator Gardner, who said it would be ‘unfathomable’ for the Senate to go on recess without passing coronavirus relief and then did exactly that, multiple times.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Guest commentary: Aurora minimum wage increase would harm Medicaid patients

Home care workers bring life-changing and life-saving care into homes across Colorado every day .
With that care , they also bring a smile and hope to people who are struggling , which in these times of pandemic can be a tremendous gift in and of itself .
Home care workers help with everything from bathing and toileting to providing nutrition support and helping people stand and walk .
These workers work hard .
They deserve recognition for the services they provide in our communities , and they deserve to be fairly compensated .
That is why the Aurora proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult .
We appreciate the intent : We value our workforce and we want to pay caregivers more .
However , the reality is that without increases in Medicaid reimbursement , this proposal would eliminate access to much-needed services for vulnerable residents and could harm the very workers it is trying to help .
That is why the Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado ( HHAC ) opposes Aurora ’ s minimum wage proposal without a commensurate increase in pay to providers of these services .
The proposed ordinance would increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until it reaches $ 20 per hour over the next seven years .
It comes at a time when home care businesses already face financial hurdles related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as insufficient Medicaid reimbursements .
Due to budget constraints , Colorado lawmakers recently cut the Medicaid reimbursement rate , even though it was already significantly below the level recommended by Colorado ’ s Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee .
The Medicaid reimbursement rates set by the government determine how much providers receive as compensation when they care for Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentration of Medicaid home care clients .
Like Medicaid patients across the state , they have seen the number of providers decrease in recent years because Medicaid reimbursement rates have not kept pace with basic operating costs , driving providers out of the market .
To comply with the proposed Aurora minimum wage increase , home care providers would need very substantial increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates .
But aside from nursing homes , the state is not required to increase its Medicaid reimbursements to cover minimum wage increases .
And we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Without an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates , Aurora ’ s minimum wage proposal would spell disaster for the city ’ s Medicaid population .
Home care agencies would be increasingly unable to service Medicaid clients in Aurora as the wage requirements continued to increase .
That means these patients would have less access to care inside the home and become increasingly more likely to spend time in the hospital or in a nursing home .
It means the workers who provide this care would have fewer patients to serve , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher costs for the taxpayers who fund Medicaid as these patients are forced into more expensive care settings .
Home care services help patients after an accident or a medical procedure , or because of an impairment , disability or chronic illness .
This care can allow a person with special health needs to continue to live in their home and avoid costly hospital stays , visits to emergency rooms or admittance to assisted living facilities .
A minimum wage increase in one Colorado city might not sound that sweeping .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies of any other city in Colorado .
One of the stated intents of the proposed minimum wage increase is to promote the “ health , safety and welfare ” of the City of Aurora .
Home care agencies literally do that work each and every day for the people of Aurora .
Sadly , the minimum wage proposal – without a rate increase – would make it exceedingly difficult to continue that vital work .
Don Knox is the executive director of the Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado .

Home care workers bring life-changing and life-saving care into homes across Colorado every day. With that care, they also bring a smile and hope to people who are struggling, which in these times of pandemic can be a tremendous gift in and of itself.
Home care workers help with everything from bathing and toileting to providing nutrition support and helping people stand and walk. These workers work hard. They deserve recognition for the services they provide in our communities, and they deserve to be fairly compensated.
That is why the Aurora proposal to increase the minimum wage is so difficult.
We appreciate the intent: We value our workforce and we want to pay caregivers more. However, the reality is that without increases in Medicaid reimbursement, this proposal would eliminate access to much-needed services for vulnerable residents and could harm the very workers it is trying to help.
That is why the Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado (HHAC) opposes Aurora’s minimum wage proposal without a commensurate increase in pay to providers of these services.
The proposed ordinance would increase the minimum wage in Aurora beginning next year until it reaches $20 per hour over the next seven years. It comes at a time when home care businesses already face financial hurdles related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as insufficient Medicaid reimbursements.
Due to budget constraints, Colorado lawmakers recently cut the Medicaid reimbursement rate, even though it was already significantly below the level recommended by Colorado’s Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee. The Medicaid reimbursement rates set by the government determine how much providers receive as compensation when they care for Medicaid patients.
Arapahoe County has a high concentration of Medicaid home care clients. Like Medicaid patients across the state, they have seen the number of providers decrease in recent years because Medicaid reimbursement rates have not kept pace with basic operating costs, driving providers out of the market.
To comply with the proposed Aurora minimum wage increase, home care providers would need very substantial increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates. But aside from nursing homes, the state is not required to increase its Medicaid reimbursements to cover minimum wage increases. And we are cognizant of Colorado’s budget challenges.
Without an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates, Aurora’s minimum wage proposal would spell disaster for the city’s Medicaid population. Home care agencies would be increasingly unable to service Medicaid clients in Aurora as the wage requirements continued to increase.
That means these patients would have less access to care inside the home and become increasingly more likely to spend time in the hospital or in a nursing home. It means the workers who provide this care would have fewer patients to serve, and fewer job opportunities. It also means higher costs for the taxpayers who fund Medicaid as these patients are forced into more expensive care settings.
Home care services help patients after an accident or a medical procedure, or because of an impairment, disability or chronic illness. This care can allow a person with special health needs to continue to live in their home and avoid costly hospital stays, visits to emergency rooms or admittance to assisted living facilities.
A minimum wage increase in one Colorado city might not sound that sweeping. However, Aurora has the most licensed home care agencies of any other city in Colorado.
One of the stated intents of the proposed minimum wage increase is to promote the “health, safety and welfare” of the City of Aurora. Home care agencies literally do that work each and every day for the people of Aurora. Sadly, the minimum wage proposal – without a rate increase – would make it exceedingly difficult to continue that vital work.
Don Knox is the executive director of the Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Ken Buck: COGCC’s Green New Deal policies will destroy Colorado jobs

Time and time again , Coloradans has been able to fend off attacks on our oil and gas industry .
In 2014 , environmentalists pushed a ballot measure seeking a 2,000-foot setback for oil and gas drilling and removal of local control .
Voters rejected it .
In 2016 , environmentalists tried to collect enough signatures for a 2,500-foot setback ballot initiative .
That turned out to be nothing more than a bunch of empty petition boxes .
In 2018 , environmentalists again tried to push another de facto energy ban .
Colorado voters said no .
You ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have learned their lesson–that Coloradans do not , and will never , support job-killing initiatives against the oil and gas industry .
Coloradans know that our state is thriving because of local control over our oil and gas industry .
But now in 2020 , we ’ re faced with more heavy-handed regulations , and they sound like they ’ re right out of the pages of the Green New Deal .
Gov .
Jared Polis knows he can ’ t get a majority of Coloradans to agree to a ballot initiative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas commission with his cronies and ordered them to do his dirty work .
Polis ’ reconstituted Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission ( COGCC ) is currently considering radical regulations that would kill our state ’ s oil and gas industry and put hundreds of thousands of Coloradans out of work .
As a part of the progressive overhaul of the oil and gas industry , COGCC has recommended a slew of concerning policy proposals , including a minimum 2,000-foot setback for oil and gas drilling in residential areas .
Four of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this extended setback , which is four times the current standard for urban areas .
This idea comes straight from radical environmentalist groups that have pushed these types of industry-killing regulations in Denver and Boulder for years , using baseless claims to back up their reasoning .
But the science is simply not on their side .
Tami McMullin , a toxicology consultant formerly with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment , told The Denver Post she and her team of researchers rigorously reviewed air samples collected across Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her team concluded that the concentrations of toxins in Colorado ’ s air samples were far below levels to be considered harmful .
“ Based upon the weight of evidence and the extensive body of monitoring data , there is no causal data demonstrating the need for further risk-reduction measures beyond those which are already being applied , ” McMullin told The Denver Post .
“ Specifically , there is no credible evidence supporting the need for greater setback distances in order to protect public health.
” Did you hear that ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for greater setback distances in order to protect public health.
” The debate over this proposal would be over if it was simply about public health .
But that ’ s not what members of the governor ’ s handpicked commission care about .
Instead , COGCC is far more interested in appeasing Front Range environmentalists by issuing job-killing regulations that would harm our economy .
These tactics aren ’ t new .
Just months after progressives in Washington announced their Green New Deal , Gov .
Polis pledged to make Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2040 .
This plan was simply a laundry list of liberal ideas , far outside of mainstream thought .
Gov .
Polis is effectively using COGCC to push through a Green New Deal of his own , and this new regulation would be his first step in destroying jobs and implementing a radical regulatory agenda .
But despite Gov .
Polis and his progressive allies ’ best efforts , Colorado is still the seventh-largest producer of natural gas and the fifth-largest producer of oil in the U.S. My home county of Weld , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to innovate and thrive , is responsible for 88 % of Colorado ’ s oil and 40 % of the state ’ s gas production .
Colorado ’ s oil and gas industry supports an estimated 232,900 jobs that keep the lights on for families across my district and the state .
These are good-paying jobs , resulting in $ 23.1 billion in wages .
The industry also contributes approximately $ 1 billion in tax revenue annually , including $ 600 million that goes to K-12 public education .
But it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ability to produce clean oil and gas will have a decidedly negative environmental impact .
Industry-led innovations have put Colorado on the precipice of extracting the cleanest natural gas molecules in the world .
In fact , according to the Colorado Oil and Gas Association ( COGA ) , Colorado ’ s oil and natural gas industry saw a near 50 % reduction in emissions between 2011 and 2017 .
This didn ’ t happen by accident .
Local governments worked with energy companies , allowing them to innovate and create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency .
It goes without saying , COGCC ’ s regulations will hurt hardworking Coloradans in rural counties .
Unfortunately , these rural residents are the very individuals Gov .
Polis and his commission are least likely to take into account when making decisions that will drastically impact rural economies .
We don ’ t need the Green New Deal in Colorado .
We can ’ t let progressives wreck our economy with these radical policies .
That ’ s why we need to keep these decisions at the local level , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Time and time again, Coloradans has been able to fend off attacks on our oil and gas industry.
In 2014, environmentalists pushed a ballot measure seeking a 2,000-foot setback for oil and gas drilling and removal of local control. Voters rejected it.
In 2016, environmentalists tried to collect enough signatures for a 2,500-foot setback ballot initiative. That turned out to be nothing more than a bunch of empty petition boxes.
In 2018, environmentalists again tried to push another de facto energy ban. Colorado voters said no.
You’d think by now, these environmentalists would have learned their lesson–that Coloradans do not, and will never, support job-killing initiatives against the oil and gas industry.
Coloradans know that our state is thriving because of local control over our oil and gas industry. But now in 2020, we’re faced with more heavy-handed regulations, and they sound like they’re right out of the pages of the Green New Deal. Gov. Jared Polis knows he can’t get a majority of Coloradans to agree to a ballot initiative, so he stacked a bureaucratic oil and gas commission with his cronies and ordered them to do his dirty work.
Polis’ reconstituted Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is currently considering radical regulations that would kill our state’s oil and gas industry and put hundreds of thousands of Coloradans out of work.
As a part of the progressive overhaul of the oil and gas industry, COGCC has recommended a slew of concerning policy proposals, including a minimum 2,000-foot setback for oil and gas drilling in residential areas. Four of the five COGCC members have voiced support for this extended setback, which is four times the current standard for urban areas.
This idea comes straight from radical environmentalist groups that have pushed these types of industry-killing regulations in Denver and Boulder for years, using baseless claims to back up their reasoning.
But the science is simply not on their side.
Tami McMullin, a toxicology consultant formerly with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, told The Denver Post she and her team of researchers rigorously reviewed air samples collected across Colorado for a 2019 state health report. Her team concluded that the concentrations of toxins in Colorado’s air samples were far below levels to be considered harmful.
“Based upon the weight of evidence and the extensive body of monitoring data, there is no causal data demonstrating the need for further risk-reduction measures beyond those which are already being applied,” McMullin told The Denver Post. “Specifically, there is no credible evidence supporting the need for greater setback distances in order to protect public health.”
Did you hear that? “There is no credible evidence supporting the need for greater setback distances in order to protect public health.”
The debate over this proposal would be over if it was simply about public health. But that’s not what members of the governor’s handpicked commission care about. Instead, COGCC is far more interested in appeasing Front Range environmentalists by issuing job-killing regulations that would harm our economy.
These tactics aren’t new. Just months after progressives in Washington announced their Green New Deal, Gov. Polis pledged to make Colorado 100% reliant on renewable energy by 2040. This plan was simply a laundry list of liberal ideas, far outside of mainstream thought.
Gov. Polis is effectively using COGCC to push through a Green New Deal of his own, and this new regulation would be his first step in destroying jobs and implementing a radical regulatory agenda.
But despite Gov. Polis and his progressive allies’ best efforts, Colorado is still the seventh-largest producer of natural gas and the fifth-largest producer of oil in the U.S. My home county of Weld, where local officials give the industry freedom to innovate and thrive, is responsible for 88% of Colorado’s oil and 40% of the state’s gas production.
Colorado’s oil and gas industry supports an estimated 232,900 jobs that keep the lights on for families across my district and the state. These are good-paying jobs, resulting in $23.1 billion in wages. The industry also contributes approximately $1 billion in tax revenue annually, including $600 million that goes to K-12 public education.
But it’s not just about jobs. Curtailing Colorado’s ability to produce clean oil and gas will have a decidedly negative environmental impact. Industry-led innovations have put Colorado on the precipice of extracting the cleanest natural gas molecules in the world. In fact, according to the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry saw a near 50% reduction in emissions between 2011 and 2017. This didn’t happen by accident. Local governments worked with energy companies, allowing them to innovate and create new technologies to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
It goes without saying, COGCC’s regulations will hurt hardworking Coloradans in rural counties. Unfortunately, these rural residents are the very individuals Gov. Polis and his commission are least likely to take into account when making decisions that will drastically impact rural economies.
We don’t need the Green New Deal in Colorado. We can’t let progressives wreck our economy with these radical policies. That’s why we need to keep these decisions at the local level, not in Denver or Washington.
Ken Buck is a member of Congress, serving Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Ask Amy: Crumpled friendship could be smoothed out

Dear Amy : I am a single male in my early 30s .
After law school , I met “ Judith , ” and we became best friends .
Judith and I were both competitive athletes in the same sport , the same age , and knew some of the same people .
The friendship was always strictly platonic .
Honestly , I considered her my best friend .
We had a falling-out over something quite petty , on its face : After a fun party weekend in the mountains , I felt compelled to ask her ( and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lodging expenses .
It really wasn ’ t about the actual money , but I couldn ’ t help but to feel used .
It embarrassed me to ask her to contribute after the fact , when I had assumed that they would step up without asking .
Anyway , the resulting ( text ) conversation we had was insulting .
She brought up topics from the past that were completely unrelated and out of line .
I felt hurt and betrayed .
This happened over a year ago .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to mend fences .
For the most part I do not respond .
Most recently , she reached out to ask if I considered the friendship permanently over .
She wanted to invite me to her engagement party .
I do think her attempts to reconcile have been genuine and she understands that she was in the wrong regarding our falling-out .
The thing is , I don ’ t want to be friends with her .
I feel like once the paper is crumpled up , it can ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the petty argument , but I will never forget how it made me feel .
The way I view her as a person has been forever altered .
Do I need to rethink my approach regarding friendship ?
Am I wrong to think it ’ s fine to move on from friendships when they prove to be broken beyond repair , regardless of all \ the positive memories associated with the friendship during an important period of life ?
Dear Disoriented : In a perfect world , we would never need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to reread what ’ s written upon it ; we wouldn ’ t need to accept an apology ; we would never face the necessity of forgiving someone .
However , the world is not perfect .
No one ’ s story ( yours included ) can be read on pristine paper .
I think it ’ s possible that “ Judith ” has changed .
She is being honest , contrite , and apologetic .
She is extending a hand .
You have firmly anchored to your disappointment .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person you want to be .
In short , yes , I do think you need to rethink your approach to friendship ( this one , and perhaps others , as well ) .
This re-evaluation doesn ’ t mean that you must re-enter Judith ’ s life , but most disappointments offer opportunities for growth .
Judith may have grown .
Have you ?
Dear Amy : Today my English teacher told me about you .
She suggested that I reach out for some advice .
My real concern is that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year , but I don ’ t know what I ’ m going to study yet .
I ’ m excited about studying , but the current situation within the pandemic is not the greatest .
I don ’ t feel ready to go to university .
What do you think is best ?
Should I make plans to go to college , or should I take a gap year ?
Dear Confused : I like the idea of delaying college by a year , especially for younger students .
( I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish I had waited ) .
I don ’ t love the term “ gap year , ” however , because it implies that taking a year between high school and college should be seen as a “ gap , ” or a void of some kind .
Maybe we should call this a “ goal year ” or a “ grow year.
” I think it ’ s a great idea , especially now , to consider taking a year to work part time and have some mini-adventures ( if your folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Taking classes at your local community college will help you to zero in on possible courses of study .
Dear Amy : I appreciated your response to “ No Words.
” This was a woman who discovered that she was mistaken about the identity of the man she thought had fathered her child .
I agreed with you when you cut through the complications , and said that she had “ done a lot of things right.
” Dear Mom : I was impressed by this woman ’ s total honesty @ @ @ @ @

Dear Amy: I am a single male in my early 30s. After law school, I met “Judith,” and we became best friends. Judith and I were both competitive athletes in the same sport, the same age, and knew some of the same people.
The friendship was always strictly platonic. Honestly, I considered her my best friend.
We had a falling-out over something quite petty, on its face: After a fun party weekend in the mountains, I felt compelled to ask her (and her boyfriend) to pay for part of the lodging expenses. It really wasn’t about the actual money, but I couldn’t help but to feel used. It embarrassed me to ask her to contribute after the fact, when I had assumed that they would step up without asking.
Anyway, the resulting (text) conversation we had was insulting. She brought up topics from the past that were completely unrelated and out of line. I felt hurt and betrayed.
This happened over a year ago. She has reached out multiple times to apologize and try to mend fences. For the most part I do not respond.
Most recently, she reached out to ask if I considered the friendship permanently over. She wanted to invite me to her engagement party. I do think her attempts to reconcile have been genuine and she understands that she was in the wrong regarding our falling-out.
The thing is, I don’t want to be friends with her. I feel like once the paper is crumpled up, it can’t be perfect again.
I can forgive her for the petty argument, but I will never forget how it made me feel. The way I view her as a person has been forever altered.
Do I need to rethink my approach regarding friendship? Am I wrong to think it’s fine to move on from friendships when they prove to be broken beyond repair, regardless of all \ the positive memories associated with the friendship during an important period of life?
— Disoriented in Denver
Dear Disoriented: In a perfect world, we would never need to smooth out a piece of crumpled paper in order to reread what’s written upon it; we wouldn’t need to accept an apology; we would never face the necessity of forgiving someone.
However, the world is not perfect. No one’s story (yours included) can be read on pristine paper.
I think it’s possible that “Judith” has changed. She is being honest, contrite, and apologetic. She is extending a hand. You have firmly anchored to your disappointment. I wonder if this is the kind of person you want to be.
In short, yes, I do think you need to rethink your approach to friendship (this one, and perhaps others, as well).
This re-evaluation doesn’t mean that you must re-enter Judith’s life, but most disappointments offer opportunities for growth. Judith may have grown. Have you?
Dear Amy: Today my English teacher told me about you. She suggested that I reach out for some advice.
My real concern is that I’m planning to go to college next year, but I don’t know what I’m going to study yet. I’m excited about studying, but the current situation within the pandemic is not the greatest.
I don’t feel ready to go to university.
What do you think is best? Should I make plans to go to college, or should I take a gap year?
— Confused about College
Dear Confused: I like the idea of delaying college by a year, especially for younger students. (I started college at 17, and often wish I had waited).
I don’t love the term “gap year,” however, because it implies that taking a year between high school and college should be seen as a “gap,” or a void of some kind.
Maybe we should call this a “goal year” or a “grow year.”
I think it’s a great idea, especially now, to consider taking a year to work part time and have some mini-adventures (if your folks are willing to have you at home). Taking classes at your local community college will help you to zero in on possible courses of study.
Dear Amy: I appreciated your response to “No Words.” This was a woman who discovered that she was mistaken about the identity of the man she thought had fathered her child.
I agreed with you when you cut through the complications, and said that she had “done a lot of things right.”
— Once a Teen Mom
Dear Mom: I was impressed by this woman’s total honesty regarding her challenging history.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-09-18--Rockies’ bullpen fails, offense a no-show in another loss to Dodgers

An imploding bullpen and a disappearing offense were the usual suspects in a 9-3 loss to the powerful Dodgers Thursday night at Coors Field .
The Dodgers have won eight of their last 11 games in LoDo , dating back to last season .
The Rockies managed only five hits , just two after the first inning — a lonely single by Kevin Pillar to lead off the seventh and a solo homer by Trevor Story in the eighth .
The Rockies have been held to three or fewer runs in five consecutive games , the longest single-season streak at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t been getting the job done , offensively , of late , ” said Story , whose 11 homers lead the team .
“ Our pitchers have been getting the job done , especially our starters .
We haven ’ t picked those guys up .
That ’ s on us.
” Colorado — 11-16 at home , 22-27 overall and all but mathematically eliminated from the eight-team playoff field — got a decent start from lefty Kyle Freeland .
But it all fell apart in the Dodgers ’ six-run seventh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored in an inning this season .
Los Angeles ( 36-15 ) sent 10 men to the plate , starting their hit parade with Kike Hernandez ’ s one-out double off of Freeland .
When Freeland walked the next batter , Edwin Ríos , manager Bud Black pulled Freeland and inserted right-hander Carlos Estevez .
That move blew up quickly when the Dodgers scored four runs ( three earned ) in just one-third inning off Estevez .
The big blows were a run-scoring single by Mookie Betts , an RBI double by Corey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-field line by Will Smith .
“ I think at that point , Kyle had sort of hit the wall , ” Black said , explaining his decision to remove Freeland and go with Estevez , who now has an ERA of 7.89 .
“ ( Freeland ’ s ) stuff wasn ’ t as crisp as I think it was ( ending ) the sixth.
” Following the sixth inning , Black and Freeland consulted in the dugout .
“ ( Freeland ) said , ‘ I ’ ll give you one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said , ‘ Great , great , You ’ re throwing fine , ” Black said .
“ But then he just lost a little bit of zip on his fastball .
I think when he walked Rijos , that was a sign to take him out.
” As for the decision to pitch Estevez , who ’ s run hot and cold this season , Black said the reasons were two-fold .
He said that Mychal Givens and Yency Almonte were unavailable and he thought Estevez had the firepower to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlos who had three days of rest was been throwing with good velocity of late , ” Black said , noting that the right-hander ’ s fastball was hitting 98-99 mph .
But has been the case so often lately , Estevez ’ s pitch location was poor and the Dodgers took full advantage .
The Rockies , by the way , have allowed 27 of 66 inherited runners to score this season .
That ’ s 40.9 % and ranks last in the National League and is currently the worst percentage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadoff solo homer by Ríos off Wade Davis in the eighth .
Davis , who ’ s struggled with a shoulder injury most of the season , pitched for the first time since July 31 .
Rockies starters entered the game having posted a 2.10 ERA with four quality starts in the first five games of the homestand .
Freeland couldn ’ t continue that trend , giving up four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings , but given the current state of Colorado ’ s offense , it didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really good , ” Freeland said .
“ The pitch mix was really good tonight and Tony ( Wolters ) really was calling a great game behind the dish .
I had a good slider and an on-point changeup that was keeping them off-balance .
“ So , I was overall happy with it .
We wanted to finish that seventh inning there and keep it a tie ballgame .
But overall I felt good about my performance.
” The Dodgers nearly blew the game open in the fourth but the gritty Freeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just two runs .
Seager — who finished a triple short of the cycle — led off with a 424-foot liner into the right-field seats , and then the Dodgers packed the bases with two outs when Freeland ’ s inside pitch barely grazed Chris Taylor .
The Rockies no doubt took a deep breath when Ríos drove the ball deep to left but the Rockies ’ Raimel Tapia caught it on the warning track for the final out .
The Rockies plated a 2-0 lead in the first inning by doing something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season : string together solid at-bats .
Tapia led off with a single , Story doubled and Charlie Blackmon drove home Tapia with a sacrifice fly to right .
When Pillar drove in Story with a two-out single , the cheers from the Rockies bench reverberated through the mostly empty ballpark .
But then Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías shut up the Rockies , setting down 13 in a row before Tapia reached on an error on a hard grounder off third baseman Edwin Ríos ’ glove to lead off the sixth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to right and Blackmon to ground out to third .
Into the game came reliever Dylan Floro , who got the struggling Nolan Arenado to foul out to first .

The Rockies’ discombobulated season of discontent continues.
An imploding bullpen and a disappearing offense were the usual suspects in a 9-3 loss to the powerful Dodgers Thursday night at Coors Field. The Dodgers have won eight of their last 11 games in LoDo, dating back to last season.
The Rockies managed only five hits, just two after the first inning — a lonely single by Kevin Pillar to lead off the seventh and a solo homer by Trevor Story in the eighth.
The Rockies have been held to three or fewer runs in five consecutive games, the longest single-season streak at home in franchise history.
“We haven’t been getting the job done, offensively, of late,” said Story, whose 11 homers lead the team. “Our pitchers have been getting the job done, especially our starters. We haven’t picked those guys up. That’s on us.”
Colorado — 11-16 at home, 22-27 overall and all but mathematically eliminated from the eight-team playoff field — got a decent start from lefty Kyle Freeland. But it all fell apart in the Dodgers’ six-run seventh inning; the most runs they have scored in an inning this season.
Los Angeles (36-15) sent 10 men to the plate, starting their hit parade with Kike Hernandez’s one-out double off of Freeland. When Freeland walked the next batter, Edwin Ríos, manager Bud Black pulled Freeland and inserted right-hander Carlos Estevez.
That move blew up quickly when the Dodgers scored four runs (three earned) in just one-third inning off Estevez. The big blows were a run-scoring single by Mookie Betts, an RBI double by Corey Seager and a two-run double down the left-field line by Will Smith.
“I think at that point, Kyle had sort of hit the wall,” Black said, explaining his decision to remove Freeland and go with Estevez, who now has an ERA of 7.89. “(Freeland’s) stuff wasn’t as crisp as I think it was (ending) the sixth.”
Following the sixth inning, Black and Freeland consulted in the dugout.
“(Freeland) said, ‘I’ll give you one more (inning),’ and I said, ‘Great, great, You’re throwing fine,” Black said. “But then he just lost a little bit of zip on his fastball. I think when he walked Rijos, that was a sign to take him out.”
As for the decision to pitch Estevez, who’s run hot and cold this season, Black said the reasons were two-fold. He said that Mychal Givens and Yency Almonte were unavailable and he thought Estevez had the firepower to do the job.
“We went with Carlos who had three days of rest was been throwing with good velocity of late,” Black said, noting that the right-hander’s fastball was hitting 98-99 mph.
But has been the case so often lately, Estevez’s pitch location was poor and the Dodgers took full advantage. The Rockies, by the way, have allowed 27 of 66 inherited runners to score this season. That’s 40.9% and ranks last in the National League and is currently the worst percentage in franchise history.
The Dodgers added a leadoff solo homer by Ríos off Wade Davis in the eighth. Davis, who’s struggled with a shoulder injury most of the season, pitched for the first time since July 31.
Rockies starters entered the game having posted a 2.10 ERA with four quality starts in the first five games of the homestand. Freeland couldn’t continue that trend, giving up four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, but given the current state of Colorado’s offense, it didn’t really matter.
“I felt really good,” Freeland said. “The pitch mix was really good tonight and Tony (Wolters) really was calling a great game behind the dish. I had a good slider and an on-point changeup that was keeping them off-balance.
“So, I was overall happy with it. We wanted to finish that seventh inning there and keep it a tie ballgame. But overall I felt good about my performance.”
The Dodgers nearly blew the game open in the fourth but the gritty Freeland was able to limit the damage to just two runs. Seager — who finished a triple short of the cycle — led off with a 424-foot liner into the right-field seats, and then the Dodgers packed the bases with two outs when Freeland’s inside pitch barely grazed Chris Taylor. The Rockies no doubt took a deep breath when Ríos drove the ball deep to left but the Rockies’ Raimel Tapia caught it on the warning track for the final out.
The Rockies plated a 2-0 lead in the first inning by doing something they have failed to do most of this season: string together solid at-bats. Tapia led off with a single, Story doubled and Charlie Blackmon drove home Tapia with a sacrifice fly to right. When Pillar drove in Story with a two-out single, the cheers from the Rockies bench reverberated through the mostly empty ballpark.
But then Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías shut up the Rockies, setting down 13 in a row before Tapia reached on an error on a hard grounder off third baseman Edwin Ríos’ glove to lead off the sixth. But Urias got Story to fly out to right and Blackmon to ground out to third. Into the game came reliever Dylan Floro, who got the struggling Nolan Arenado to foul out to first.