thedenverpost--2020-07-14--Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story: Is the Rockies’ duo the best left side in all of baseball?

There is no doubt in Bud Black ’ s mind : The Rockies have the best left side of the infield in all of baseball between third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story .
“ You ’ re talking about perennial all-stars now — Nolan ’ s shown it for five years , Trevor now for the last couple , ” the Rockies manager said .
“ They ’ re the best ( left ) side when you combine defense , offense and being an all-around player : Baserunning , instincts , all that.
” In 2019 , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duo combined for a .304 average , 76 homers , 203 RBIs , 213 runs , 12.8 in WAR and 26 stolen bases ( all but three by Story ) .
Arenado won his seventh straight National League Gold Glove Award at the hot corner , and Story was a finalist for the award at shortstop .
Other tandems that might challenge Arenado and Story for the title are the Cubs ’ Kris Bryant and Javier Baez , the Dodgers ’ Justin Turner and Corey Seager , the Padres ’ Manny Machado and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Chapman and Marcus Semien .
But in Black ’ s eyes , those guys don ’ t top what Colorado has .
“ I don ’ t see a better left side , ” Black said .
Summer camp continues .
Colorado continued to gear up for its July 24 season opener in Texas with an intersquad scrimmage Tuesday night at Coors Field .
Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story picked the teams and filled out their respective lineups , with Kyle Freeland starting for Arenado ’ s Purple team and Jon Gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jake McGee , Yency Almonte and Jesus Tinoco headlined the relievers scheduled to pitch in a game-type atmosphere in LoDo , as the contest featured three umpires .
In previous intersquads , bench coach Mike Redmond was the umpire .
“ ( Nolan and Trevor ) came to me about a week ago , and they wanted to be captains and pick teams , ” Black said .
“ They were not only like scouting directors looking at players , but it was sort of like being out at recess in sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about that.
” The question of closer .
Black has been continuously pressed about who will be the Rockies ’ closer this year — either Wade Davis or Scott Oberg , who took the job from Davis in the second half of 2019 before Oberg ’ s season was ended by blood clots .
Both Story and Raimel Tapia hit homers off Davis on Monday , but Black said the club “ is still bullish on Wade ” despite the right-hander ’ s unsightly 8.65 ERA in 50 appearances last season .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ERA in 49 games .
But Black isn ’ t ready to name a closer just yet .
“ In 2018 ( Davis ) led the NL in saves and was a big part of our success going to the playoffs , ” Black said .
“ Wade truly feels he ’ s going to bounce back , and I ’ m right there with him.
” The skipper shot down the idea of a “ closer by committee , ” but again indicated the toughness of giving the job to one individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no tangible sample sizes on which to judge performance .
“ This is a tricky one , just because these guys have not had a lot of repetitions on the mound in the game — practically zero , ” Black said .
Tony Wolters donates locks .
The Colorado catcher had been growing his hair out , but cut off all seven inches Tuesday to donate to Maggie ’ s Wigs 4 Kids , which provides wigs and support services to Michigan children in need .
Wolters , whose community outreach also includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Miracle League of Arizona , said he was “ glad that I could put my locks to good use.
” Con mucho swagger .
With Ian Desmond opting out of the 2020 season , the starting left field job is Raimel Tapia ’ s to lose .
He feels confident about the work he ’ s done in the offseason and during the postponement to put himself in position to do just that — and more .
“ I ’ m here ready to go and ready for the opportunity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimate ) goal this season would be to win MVP .
”

There is no doubt in Bud Black’s mind: The Rockies have the best left side of the infield in all of baseball between third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story.
“You’re talking about perennial all-stars now — Nolan’s shown it for five years, Trevor now for the last couple,” the Rockies manager said. “They’re the best (left) side when you combine defense, offense and being an all-around player: Baserunning, instincts, all that.”
In 2019, each player had 588 at-bats, and the duo combined for a .304 average, 76 homers, 203 RBIs, 213 runs, 12.8 in WAR and 26 stolen bases (all but three by Story). Arenado won his seventh straight National League Gold Glove Award at the hot corner, and Story was a finalist for the award at shortstop.
Other tandems that might challenge Arenado and Story for the title are the Cubs’ Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, the Dodgers’ Justin Turner and Corey Seager, the Padres’ Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Athletics’ Matt Chapman and Marcus Semien.
But in Black’s eyes, those guys don’t top what Colorado has.
“I don’t see a better left side,” Black said.
Summer camp continues. Colorado continued to gear up for its July 24 season opener in Texas with an intersquad scrimmage Tuesday night at Coors Field. Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story picked the teams and filled out their respective lineups, with Kyle Freeland starting for Arenado’s Purple team and Jon Gray starting for Story’s Pinstripe team.
Jake McGee, Yency Almonte and Jesus Tinoco headlined the relievers scheduled to pitch in a game-type atmosphere in LoDo, as the contest featured three umpires. In previous intersquads, bench coach Mike Redmond was the umpire.
“(Nolan and Trevor) came to me about a week ago, and they wanted to be captains and pick teams,” Black said. “They were not only like scouting directors looking at players, but it was sort of like being out at recess in sixth grade, picking teams… They were excited about that.”
The question of closer. Black has been continuously pressed about who will be the Rockies’ closer this year — either Wade Davis or Scott Oberg, who took the job from Davis in the second half of 2019 before Oberg’s season was ended by blood clots.
Both Story and Raimel Tapia hit homers off Davis on Monday, but Black said the club “is still bullish on Wade” despite the right-hander’s unsightly 8.65 ERA in 50 appearances last season. By contrast, Oberg had a bullpen-best 2.25 ERA in 49 games.
But Black isn’t ready to name a closer just yet.
“In 2018 (Davis) led the NL in saves and was a big part of our success going to the playoffs,” Black said. “Wade truly feels he’s going to bounce back, and I’m right there with him.”
The skipper shot down the idea of a “closer by committee,” but again indicated the toughness of giving the job to one individual heading into the season based off virtually no tangible sample sizes on which to judge performance.
“This is a tricky one, just because these guys have not had a lot of repetitions on the mound in the game — practically zero,” Black said.
Tony Wolters donates locks. The Colorado catcher had been growing his hair out, but cut off all seven inches Tuesday to donate to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, which provides wigs and support services to Michigan children in need.
Wolters, whose community outreach also includes helping out as a “buddy” in the Miracle League of Arizona, said he was “glad that I could put my locks to good use.”
Con mucho swagger. With Ian Desmond opting out of the 2020 season, the starting left field job is Raimel Tapia’s to lose. He feels confident about the work he’s done in the offseason and during the postponement to put himself in position to do just that — and more.
“I’m here ready to go and ready for the opportunity,” Tapia said. “My (ultimate) goal this season would be to win MVP.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-14--Colorado governor wants to temporarily suspend limits on unrelated people living together

In response to a rise in housing insecurity , Gov .
Jared Polis on Sunday encouraged cities with restrictive occupancy limits to temporarily relax laws limiting the number of unrelated people who can share a home .
On Tuesday , he said he wants to not only encourage a pause in enforcement but compel it .
Many cities in Colorado — including Denver and the governor ’ s hometown of Boulder , where the debate over this issue is currently raging — place limits on how many unrelated people can live together , with local limits generally ranging from about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would like to temporarily require it .
We will have our counsel looking at it , ” Polis said , adding that the reason he hasn ’ t issued an order yet is that “ the state has less authority in this area is because these are local ordinances.
” People and organizations around the state and country are bracing for a wave of evictions , which are already being processed in Denver .
There ’ s great concern about increases in both homelessness and housing instability , and though the governor declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moratorium , he has been outspoken about the need to let unrelated people legally live in groups larger than what their cities may normally allow .
“ It ’ s important now because if somebody isn ’ t living in that kind of situation they might be homeless , ” he said , before remarking on NIMBYism : “ The same type of people who complain about extra cars in the street or too many people living in a nearby house also generally complain about the homeless .
So I think people just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trade-off there , and for the public health perspective , we should err on the side of allowing people safe housing for the period of this.
” Polis said he didn ’ t want to wade into a broader debate about inclusivity , or lack thereof , in city zoning laws and housing ordinances .

In response to a rise in housing insecurity, Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday encouraged cities with restrictive occupancy limits to temporarily relax laws limiting the number of unrelated people who can share a home.
On Tuesday, he said he wants to not only encourage a pause in enforcement but compel it. Many cities in Colorado — including Denver and the governor’s hometown of Boulder, where the debate over this issue is currently raging — place limits on how many unrelated people can live together, with local limits generally ranging from about three to five people.
“I would like to temporarily require it. We will have our counsel looking at it,” Polis said, adding that the reason he hasn’t issued an order yet is that “the state has less authority in this area is because these are local ordinances.”
People and organizations around the state and country are bracing for a wave of evictions, which are already being processed in Denver. There’s great concern about increases in both homelessness and housing instability, and though the governor declined to extend the state’s eviction moratorium, he has been outspoken about the need to let unrelated people legally live in groups larger than what their cities may normally allow.
“It’s important now because if somebody isn’t living in that kind of situation they might be homeless,” he said, before remarking on NIMBYism: “The same type of people who complain about extra cars in the street or too many people living in a nearby house also generally complain about the homeless. So I think people just have to understand that there’s a trade-off there, and for the public health perspective, we should err on the side of allowing people safe housing for the period of this.”
Polis said he didn’t want to wade into a broader debate about inclusivity, or lack thereof, in city zoning laws and housing ordinances.


thedenverpost--2020-07-14--Colorado to staff state lab around the clock to speed up COVID-19 test results

Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis said Tuesday that the state is taking steps to clear its COVID-19 testing backlog so that people can get results sooner .
The state lab was turning around tests within about 48 hours on average , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said , but as coronavirus cases here and around the country are once again on the rise , Coloradans have increasingly had to wait several days , and sometimes more than a week , to get test results back .
Turnaround times for out-of-state private labs have risen , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Polis said at a news conference .
But , he said , it can and will improve its own processes .
“ The state lab is working to get back to that one-to-two-day turnaround , ” the governor said .
“ We are rapidly increasing our own test processing capacity .
Our state lab will be going from two shifts to three shifts , effectively running around the clock , starting in the next week , and we are also working with many other private labs here in Colorado to increase our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to that one-to-two-day period , which maximizes the impact of tracking and tracing.
” Though Colorado is not experiencing a resurgent crisis as is occurring in states including California , Texas , Florida , it ’ s trending in that direction , following four consecutive weeks of gradually increasing cases , and the state reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen in 11 of the past 14 days .
As of Tuesday , 252 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in Colorado , up 32 from the prior day — though more hospitals reported back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account for some of that increase .
COVID-19 hospitalization in Colorado are at their highest point since June 3 , but still far below the peak of 888 in April .
The state reported Tuesday that , to date , 1,594 people have died because of COVID-19 in Colorado , with about 200 more deaths possibly attributable to the virus .
And an additional 444 positive coronavirus cases were added to the state ’ s tally on Tuesday , bringing that to 37,686 as testing has dropped a bit in recent days after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged extreme caution by people who are forced to wait for several days for test results .
“ Quarantine yourself during that period , ” he said .
“ Until you get your test results back to confirm that it ’ s negative , act like you are contagious with coronavirus , because we can ’ t afford for you to be able to go out and interact , when we know that close to 5 % of the folks tested are going to come back positive .
If that ’ s you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during those few days while your test was pending , your were jeopardizing the lives of others , as well as leading to this backslide that we ’ ve seen in so many other states.
” Many Coloradans — particularly low-wage , hourly workers — can not afford to quarantine at home for several days or longer , and must choose between going to work and risking the health of themselves and others , or staying home and risking their employment status .
Family members of Colorado workers killed by the virus have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to work , potentially in unsafe environments , in order to make money .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Tuesday that the state is taking steps to clear its COVID-19 testing backlog so that people can get results sooner.
The state lab was turning around tests within about 48 hours on average, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said, but as coronavirus cases here and around the country are once again on the rise, Coloradans have increasingly had to wait several days, and sometimes more than a week, to get test results back.
Turnaround times for out-of-state private labs have risen, and the state has very little control over that, Polis said at a news conference. But, he said, it can and will improve its own processes.
“The state lab is working to get back to that one-to-two-day turnaround,” the governor said. “We are rapidly increasing our own test processing capacity. Our state lab will be going from two shifts to three shifts, effectively running around the clock, starting in the next week, and we are also working with many other private labs here in Colorado to increase our own processing capacity so we can get back to that one-to-two-day period, which maximizes the impact of tracking and tracing.”
Though Colorado is not experiencing a resurgent crisis as is occurring in states including California, Texas, Florida, it’s trending in that direction, following four consecutive weeks of gradually increasing cases, and the state reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen in 11 of the past 14 days.
As of Tuesday, 252 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in Colorado, up 32 from the prior day — though more hospitals reported back to the state on Tuesday, which could account for some of that increase. COVID-19 hospitalization in Colorado are at their highest point since June 3, but still far below the peak of 888 in April.
The state reported Tuesday that, to date, 1,594 people have died because of COVID-19 in Colorado, with about 200 more deaths possibly attributable to the virus.
And an additional 444 positive coronavirus cases were added to the state’s tally on Tuesday, bringing that to 37,686 as testing has dropped a bit in recent days after hitting a record high.
The governor urged extreme caution by people who are forced to wait for several days for test results.
“Quarantine yourself during that period,” he said. “Until you get your test results back to confirm that it’s negative, act like you are contagious with coronavirus, because we can’t afford for you to be able to go out and interact, when we know that close to 5% of the folks tested are going to come back positive. If that’s you, and you were out and about during those few days while your test was pending, your were jeopardizing the lives of others, as well as leading to this backslide that we’ve seen in so many other states.”
Many Coloradans — particularly low-wage, hourly workers — cannot afford to quarantine at home for several days or longer, and must choose between going to work and risking the health of themselves and others, or staying home and risking their employment status. Family members of Colorado workers killed by the virus have spoken of pressure their loved ones felt to go to work, potentially in unsafe environments, in order to make money.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-07-14--Guest Commentary: The state is unfairly forcing hikers to subsidize hunters and fishers

I don ’ t think it makes sense to require a hiker who does not want to hunt or fish to buy a hunting or fishing license .
As of July 1 , even if you are just out taking a walk enjoying nature in any of the more than 600 state wildlife areas and state trust lands in Colorado ( most of the later which are not open for use as they are leased out to private individuals for agriculture and hunting ) , you must now purchase a hunting or a fishing license every year at a cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 ( which includes the mandatory $ 10 “ stamp ” ) .
Maybe you don ’ t have a hefty income , or maybe your normal income has decreased due to COVID-19 , or maybe you are actually trying to spend more time outdoors because of the coronavirus , or maybe you are philosophically opposed to hunting .
“ Tough luck , find someplace else to go ” is the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department attitude .
I asked for an explanation in a letter to the Commission on Parks and Wildlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildlife professional voting member but does have four voting members who represent hunting and outfitting and another three who represent the agricultural industry ) .
The answer I received was that there are too many non-hunters and non-fishers using these areas and this is “ displacing wildlife and causing damage to habitat and resources.
” Really ?
Non-hunters cause more damage to wildlife than hunters who kill wildlife ?
Most wildlife are not bothered by hikers who stick to trails .
They may be more bothered by people who shoot them .
Apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department ( largely comprised of hunters itself ) thinks otherwise , but I don ’ t think disturbing wildlife is even the real issue .
The name of Senate Bill 143 , from 2018 , tells the real story , “ Parks and Wildlife Measures to Increase Revenue.
” The fiscal note associated with the bill indicates the department expects their revenue to more than double with the new requirement that hikers and others who don ’ t intend to hunt or fish buy a hunting or fishing license .
Moreover , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will decrease the number of people visiting the areas , one of their stated reasons for introducing the new requirement .
The fiscal note assumes “ fee increases will not reduce the number of licenses sold.
” You may imagine that the increased money will go toward safeguarding public lands or to helping wildlife .
Think again .
Your money is more likely going to subsidize hunting .
The state says they have a shortfall of $ 30 million every year for wildlife ( which , in their language , means huntable wildlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million for parks .
Maybe they should consider improving their management , including increasing the hunting/fishing license fee for those who actually hunt or fish .
It costs a mere $ 39 for a hunter to take the life of a bear ( $ 15 if you are a 12-year-old kid ) .
Maybe the commission should reverse its decision and instead increase hunting fees for hunters .
Asking hikers to subsidize hunters because the state won ’ t ask the powerful hunting lobby to pay more for a license to kill a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of the many other hunted species in Colorado is wrong .
If the fee were an entrance fee and truly went to wildland and wildlife conservation , and if there was an exclusion for people who could not afford it , I might support it , but that ’ s not what this is really about .
The money will be used to fulfill 10 goals .
Goal # 1 is to “ grow the number of hunters and anglers.
” Another stated goal is to “ engage all outdoor recreationists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for hunting or fishing whether they hunt or fish , or not .
Virginia Ravndal is a wildlife ecologist and is a senior consultant to the United Nations on biodiversity conservation .
She lives in Fort Collins .
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 .

I don’t think it makes sense to require a hiker who does not want to hunt or fish to buy a hunting or fishing license.
As of July 1, even if you are just out taking a walk enjoying nature in any of the more than 600 state wildlife areas and state trust lands in Colorado (most of the later which are not open for use as they are leased out to private individuals for agriculture and hunting), you must now purchase a hunting or a fishing license every year at a cost ranging from around $40 to $60 (which includes the mandatory $10 “stamp”).
Maybe you don’t have a hefty income, or maybe your normal income has decreased due to COVID-19, or maybe you are actually trying to spend more time outdoors because of the coronavirus, or maybe you are philosophically opposed to hunting. “Tough luck, find someplace else to go” is the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department attitude.
I asked for an explanation in a letter to the Commission on Parks and Wildlife (which does not have a single wildlife professional voting member but does have four voting members who represent hunting and outfitting and another three who represent the agricultural industry). The answer I received was that there are too many non-hunters and non-fishers using these areas and this is “displacing wildlife and causing damage to habitat and resources.”
Really? Non-hunters cause more damage to wildlife than hunters who kill wildlife? Most wildlife are not bothered by hikers who stick to trails. They may be more bothered by people who shoot them.
Apparently, Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Department (largely comprised of hunters itself) thinks otherwise, but I don’t think disturbing wildlife is even the real issue.
The name of Senate Bill 143, from 2018, tells the real story, “Parks and Wildlife Measures to Increase Revenue.” The fiscal note associated with the bill indicates the department expects their revenue to more than double with the new requirement that hikers and others who don’t intend to hunt or fish buy a hunting or fishing license.
Moreover, they have no expectation that the new requirement will decrease the number of people visiting the areas, one of their stated reasons for introducing the new requirement. The fiscal note assumes “fee increases will not reduce the number of licenses sold.”
You may imagine that the increased money will go toward safeguarding public lands or to helping wildlife. Think again. Your money is more likely going to subsidize hunting. The state says they have a shortfall of $30 million every year for wildlife (which, in their language, means huntable wildlife) and a shortfall of $11 million for parks.
Maybe they should consider improving their management, including increasing the hunting/fishing license fee for those who actually hunt or fish. It costs a mere $39 for a hunter to take the life of a bear ($15 if you are a 12-year-old kid). Maybe the commission should reverse its decision and instead increase hunting fees for hunters.
Asking hikers to subsidize hunters because the state won’t ask the powerful hunting lobby to pay more for a license to kill a bear, mountain lion, moose or any of the many other hunted species in Colorado is wrong. If the fee were an entrance fee and truly went to wildland and wildlife conservation, and if there was an exclusion for people who could not afford it, I might support it, but that’s not what this is really about.
The money will be used to fulfill 10 goals. Goal #1 is to “grow the number of hunters and anglers.” Another stated goal is to “engage all outdoor recreationists in funding” i.e., have all people pay for hunting or fishing whether they hunt or fish, or not.
Virginia Ravndal is a wildlife ecologist and is a senior consultant to the United Nations on biodiversity conservation. She lives in Fort Collins.
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--2020-07-14--New Colorado program will let more employees save for retirement

Nearly a million Colorado workers who lack a retirement savings plan at work will soon gain that benefit under a bill that Gov .
Jared Polis signed into law Tuesday .
The Colorado Secure Savings Program , contained in Senate Bill 200 , ensures that workers at businesses with at least five employees have access to an Individual Retirement Account funded through automatic payroll deductions .
Workplaces that don ’ t provide a retirement savings plan will have to offer a new one administered by the Colorado state treasurer under the direction of an advisory board .
“ The data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of savers early in their careers , and they will be better prepared for retirement , ” Polis said during the bill ’ s signing .
The Bell Policy Center in Denver spent seven years working on the issue and made five runs at passing a bill , culminating with this year ’ s successful attempt .
Colorado ’ s program is modeled after one in Oregon .
Connecticut and California are also starting similar workplace saving programs .
“ I think we were able to quell a lot of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see what we were proposing wasn ’ t that radical at all .
The business community finally understood that this wouldn ’ t hurt anything they cared about , ” said Scott Wasserman , Bell ’ s president .
Proponents of the program argued that nearly half of all U.S. households have no retirement savings , and estimated that more than 900,000 workers in the state lack access to a retirement plan option at work , with young workers and minorities more likely to lack access .
Aside from making it easier for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for young workers to get an early start , the program also helps smaller businesses provide a workplace benefit common at larger firms .
Supporters also argued that having more workers with retirement savings would reduce the burden on Colorado taxpayers over the long haul .
And financial service providers , who initially opposed the program , would get more potential customers who had accumulated assets in their plans , which will be portable .
Individuals can set up an IRA on their own in cases where an employer doesn ’ t offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing that .
“ We were finding the thing that was getting people into an IRA was access to that IRA at work , ” Wasserman said .
An exemption was carved out for businesses with fewer than five employees .
Workers also can opt out of the savings plan , although the hope is that most will participate .
It ’ s unclear exactly how long it will take the state treasurer ’ s office to set up and begin operating the program , but Wasserman estimated that plans could be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Nearly a million Colorado workers who lack a retirement savings plan at work will soon gain that benefit under a bill that Gov. Jared Polis signed into law Tuesday.
The Colorado Secure Savings Program, contained in Senate Bill 200, ensures that workers at businesses with at least five employees have access to an Individual Retirement Account funded through automatic payroll deductions. Workplaces that don’t provide a retirement savings plan will have to offer a new one administered by the Colorado state treasurer under the direction of an advisory board.
“The data and science show this approach will increase the number of savers early in their careers, and they will be better prepared for retirement,” Polis said during the bill’s signing.
The Bell Policy Center in Denver spent seven years working on the issue and made five runs at passing a bill, culminating with this year’s successful attempt. Colorado’s program is modeled after one in Oregon. Connecticut and California are also starting similar workplace saving programs.
“I think we were able to quell a lot of the opposition. Folks had enough time to see what we were proposing wasn’t that radical at all. The business community finally understood that this wouldn’t hurt anything they cared about,” said Scott Wasserman, Bell’s president.
Proponents of the program argued that nearly half of all U.S. households have no retirement savings, and estimated that more than 900,000 workers in the state lack access to a retirement plan option at work, with young workers and minorities more likely to lack access.
Aside from making it easier for workers to build up retirement savings and for young workers to get an early start, the program also helps smaller businesses provide a workplace benefit common at larger firms. Supporters also argued that having more workers with retirement savings would reduce the burden on Colorado taxpayers over the long haul. And financial service providers, who initially opposed the program, would get more potential customers who had accumulated assets in their plans, which will be portable.
Individuals can set up an IRA on their own in cases where an employer doesn’t offer one, but not many individuals were doing that.
“We were finding the thing that was getting people into an IRA was access to that IRA at work,” Wasserman said.
An exemption was carved out for businesses with fewer than five employees. Workers also can opt out of the savings plan, although the hope is that most will participate.
It’s unclear exactly how long it will take the state treasurer’s office to set up and begin operating the program, but Wasserman estimated that plans could be available in the second half of 2021.


thedenverpost--2020-07-14--Natural gas as clean energy choice, efforts to short circuit electrifying buildings criticized by ne

Natural gas as clean energy choice, efforts to short circuit electrifying buildings criticized by new report

As Colorado ’ s largest electric utility considers adding renewable natural gas to its arsenal of anti-climate-change tactics , the Sierra Club and Earthjustice have released a new report saying the fuel would be a costly diversion from the state ’ s clean-energy goals .
The report also criticizes what the environmental organizations say is a push by the industry to advance renewable natural gas and laws and ballot measures as a way to short circuit the use of electricity to power buildings .
A Colorado ballot proposal , Initiative 284 , would prevent state and local governments from doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California and a few other states have done : ban the use of natural gas for new buildings .
Renewable natural gas refers to gas captured from landfills , wastewater treatment plants and animal facilities like dairies .
In Colorado , Xcel Energy has teamed up with Englewood and Littleton to tap methane produced by city wastewater treatment plants and inject it into the utility ’ s natural gas system .
Xcel is exploring broader uses for recycled methane , such as providing it directly to residential customers .
“ Xcel Energy continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reducing our carbon emissions associated with our electric system by 80 % by 2030 from 2005 levels while pursuing a vision to provide 100 % carbon-free electricity by 2050 , ” the utility said in a statement Monday .
Looking at how to deliver renewable natural gas to customers complements the company ’ s carbon reduction goals while providing options for a diverse , balanced and reliable energy mix , Xcel said .
But the report by the Sierra Club and Earthjustice argues that recycling methane is expensive , carries health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraction of the power needed .
The report is a response to the industry ’ s pitch of renewable natural gas as an avenue to cleaner energy , said Mark Kresowik , a deputy regional director at the Sierra Club and a co-author of the report .
“ The gas industry has been making pretty wild and inaccurate claims about the potential for fossil gas alternatives to reduce climate pollution , ” Kresowik said .
The report includes a statement by the Southern California Gas Company that replacing 20 % of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural gas would lower emissions “ equal to retrofitting every building in the state to run on electric-only energy and at a fraction of the cost.
” But the industry ’ s own estimates show that renewable gas could replace only 7 % to 13 % of the existing demand for gas , according to the report .
And capturing methane from other sources is at least four times more expensive than fossil gas , the report said .
“ And it is still methane , so when you pipe it through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the same climate impacts , ” Kresowik said .
“ When it ’ s burned in a house or a business , it has all the same health , safety and climate impacts that fossil gases do.
” Kresowik said renewable gas could be used for activities that are difficult to power with electricity , such as heavy industry , aviation and ocean transportation .
However , he said electrifying new construction and eventually switching from natural gas in existing buildings will reduce climate-changing emissions and be more cost effective .
Energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of carbon emissions worldwide , the report said .
Kresowik said campaigns by industry supported organizations , including Protect Colorado , the group behind Initiative 284 , are attempts to prevent customers from choosing alternatives .
Ensuring that people have choices and access to affordable , reliable energy is what the initiative is all about , Protect Colorado spokeswoman Laurie Cipriano said .
She said 75 % of Coloradans use natural gas as their primary source of energy to heat their homes and cook their meals .
While not commenting directly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the American Petroleum Institute-Colorado , said in an email that the trade organization supports making all forms of energy available to Colorado homes and businesses .
But Lafayette Mayor Jamie Harkins said in an email that he views the ballot measure , similar to laws recently passed in other states , as “ basically national oil and gas companies coming to Colorado and trying to strip away our local control and independence to pass policies that we deem necessary .
”

As Colorado’s largest electric utility considers adding renewable natural gas to its arsenal of anti-climate-change tactics, the Sierra Club and Earthjustice have released a new report saying the fuel would be a costly diversion from the state’s clean-energy goals.
The report also criticizes what the environmental organizations say is a push by the industry to advance renewable natural gas and laws and ballot measures as a way to short circuit the use of electricity to power buildings. A Colorado ballot proposal, Initiative 284, would prevent state and local governments from doing what an increasing number of communities in California and a few other states have done: ban the use of natural gas for new buildings.
Renewable natural gas refers to gas captured from landfills, wastewater treatment plants and animal facilities like dairies.
In Colorado, Xcel Energy has teamed up with Englewood and Littleton to tap methane produced by city wastewater treatment plants and inject it into the utility’s natural gas system. Xcel is exploring broader uses for recycled methane, such as providing it directly to residential customers.
“Xcel Energy continues on the path of achieving our goal of reducing our carbon emissions associated with our electric system by 80% by 2030 from 2005 levels while pursuing a vision to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050,” the utility said in a statement Monday.
Looking at how to deliver renewable natural gas to customers complements the company’s carbon reduction goals while providing options for a diverse, balanced and reliable energy mix, Xcel said.
But the report by the Sierra Club and Earthjustice argues that recycling methane is expensive, carries health and environmental risks and would supply only a fraction of the power needed. The report is a response to the industry’s pitch of renewable natural gas as an avenue to cleaner energy, said Mark Kresowik, a deputy regional director at the Sierra Club and a co-author of the report.
“The gas industry has been making pretty wild and inaccurate claims about the potential for fossil gas alternatives to reduce climate pollution,” Kresowik said.
The report includes a statement by the Southern California Gas Company that replacing 20% of the state’s traditional gas supply with renewable natural gas would lower emissions “equal to retrofitting every building in the state to run on electric-only energy and at a fraction of the cost.”
But the industry’s own estimates show that renewable gas could replace only 7% to 13% of the existing demand for gas, according to the report. And capturing methane from other sources is at least four times more expensive than fossil gas, the report said.
“And it is still methane, so when you pipe it through the system and if it leaks, it has the same climate impacts,” Kresowik said. “When it’s burned in a house or a business, it has all the same health, safety and climate impacts that fossil gases do.”
Kresowik said renewable gas could be used for activities that are difficult to power with electricity, such as heavy industry, aviation and ocean transportation. However, he said electrifying new construction and eventually switching from natural gas in existing buildings will reduce climate-changing emissions and be more cost effective.
Energy use in buildings accounts for nearly 40% of carbon emissions worldwide, the report said. Kresowik said campaigns by industry supported organizations, including Protect Colorado, the group behind Initiative 284, are attempts to prevent customers from choosing alternatives.
Ensuring that people have choices and access to affordable, reliable energy is what the initiative is all about, Protect Colorado spokeswoman Laurie Cipriano said. She said 75% of Coloradans use natural gas as their primary source of energy to heat their homes and cook their meals.
While not commenting directly on the initiative, Lynn Granger, executive director of the American Petroleum Institute-Colorado, said in an email that the trade organization supports making all forms of energy available to Colorado homes and businesses.
But Lafayette Mayor Jamie Harkins said in an email that she views the ballot measure, similar to laws recently passed in other states, as “basically national oil and gas companies coming to Colorado and trying to strip away our local control and independence to pass policies that we deem necessary.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-14--Jefferson County enacts mandatory mask order as COVID-19 cases rise

Jefferson County on Tuesday joined a growing number of Colorado municipalities to enact a mask requirement for anyone in public settings to combat the spread of COVID-19 .
Under the order , which goes into effect 5 p.m. Tuesday and expires 6 a.m. July 22 if not extended , residents and visitors who are outside their homes “ must wear a mask or cloth face covering when in public settings when unable to maintain six-foot social distancing , ” county health officials said in a news release .
People will not be required to wear masks at home or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And businesses will be required to post signs saying people must wear facial coverings when inside , according to the county ’ s order .
The Jefferson County Board of Health will meet next Tuesday to decide on whether to amend or extend the order .
The mandate comes as Jefferson County , along with much of the rest of the state , has seen increasing coronavirus cases in recent weeks .
The week of July 5 , the county recorded 230 new cases , a number three times higher than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the news release .
The increasing cases also have included higher hospitalization numbers across the metro area .
“ As cases have started to increase sharply across the Denver metro area and in Jefferson County , we are looking at the tools we have to prevent the surges that are happening in other parts of our country , including bordering states , from happening here , ” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson , executive director of Jefferson County Public Health .
“ While we have always strongly encouraged our residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others in the Denver metro area to take it a step further and make them mandatory.
” Gov .
Jared Polis has refrained from instituting a statewide mask mandate , encouraging local jurisdictions to decide for themselves .
More than 25 counties and municipalities in Colorado have face-covering ordinances , and officials estimate 70 % of Coloradans are wearing them , even as the governor says that number is still too low .
Residents in Denver , Boulder and much of the metro area are required to wear masks in public settings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , especially from people who are contagious but do not have symptoms .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Jefferson County on Tuesday joined a growing number of Colorado municipalities to enact a mask requirement for anyone in public settings to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Under the order, which goes into effect 5 p.m. Tuesday and expires 6 a.m. July 22 if not extended, residents and visitors who are outside their homes “must wear a mask or cloth face covering when in public settings when unable to maintain six-foot social distancing,” county health officials said in a news release.
People will not be required to wear masks at home or in a car with members of their household. And businesses will be required to post signs saying people must wear facial coverings when inside, according to the county’s order.
The Jefferson County Board of Health will meet next Tuesday to decide on whether to amend or extend the order.
The mandate comes as Jefferson County, along with much of the rest of the state, has seen increasing coronavirus cases in recent weeks. The week of July 5, the county recorded 230 new cases, a number three times higher than the week of June 14, health officials said in the news release. The increasing cases also have included higher hospitalization numbers across the metro area.
“As cases have started to increase sharply across the Denver metro area and in Jefferson County, we are looking at the tools we have to prevent the surges that are happening in other parts of our country, including bordering states, from happening here,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, executive director of Jefferson County Public Health. “While we have always strongly encouraged our residents to wear face coverings, we are joining others in the Denver metro area to take it a step further and make them mandatory.”
Gov. Jared Polis has refrained from instituting a statewide mask mandate, encouraging local jurisdictions to decide for themselves.
More than 25 counties and municipalities in Colorado have face-covering ordinances, and officials estimate 70% of Coloradans are wearing them, even as the governor says that number is still too low.
Residents in Denver, Boulder and much of the metro area are required to wear masks in public settings.
Research suggests masks can reduce transmission of COVID-19, especially from people who are contagious but do not have symptoms.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-07-15--John Hickenlooper reports $5.2 million haul in Senate bid

DENVER — Former Colorado Gov .
John Hickenlooper ’ s Senate campaign reports a $ 5.2 million fundraising haul over the past three months , calling it a record for any Senate candidate in state history .
Hickenlooper ’ s haul is significant , though it comes as his fellow Democratic hopefuls have been shattering Senate fundraising records nationally .
Hickenlooper in November will be facing Sen. Cory Gardner , who is considered the most vulnerable Republican senator up for reelection .
Hickenlooper , a former presidential candidate , outraised Gardner in the first three months of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 5.2 million between April 1 and June 30 .
It said donations came from all of Colorado ’ s 58 counties .
The period includes the weeks running up to Colorado ’ s June 30 Democratic primary , which Hickenlooper won handily despite a series of gaffes .
Gardner and other Republicans began a multimillion-dollar ad campaign against Hickenlooper before the primary concluded , and Hickenlooper ’ s allies have hit back .
Democrats would need to net three seats and win the presidency to gain control of the Senate .

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Senate campaign reported raising $5.2 million over the past three months and said that was a record for a Colorado Senate candidate.
The campaign of his Republican opponent, incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner, said it took in $3.6 million from April 1 to June 30. But he had more than twice the cash available as did Hickenlooper — almost $10.7 million versus $4.6 million.
The reporting period includes the Democratic primary on June 30 that Hickenlooper won after a series of stumbles, and he spent more than he raised in the latest reporting period.
Other Democratic hopefuls have shattered Senate fundraising records nationally.
Hickenlooper, a former presidential candidate, outraised Gardner in the first three months of the year. Gardner is seen as the most vulnerable Republican U.S. senator this year because Colorado has shifted to the left since his 2014 victory.
While Hickenlooper won the primary handily despite the gaffes, Gardner and other Republicans had begun a multimillion-dollar ad campaign against Hickenlooper before that vote, and Hickenlooper’s allies have hit back.
Democrats would need to net three seats and win the presidency to gain control of the Senate.


thedenverpost--2020-07-15--Two dead, two missing after early morning house fire in Arvada

Arvada officials say two people died and two people remain unaccounted for after an early morning fire Wednesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ a fire on Swadley Circle in Arvada came in around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday , according @ @ @ @ @ Fire Protection District spokesperson .
“ Initial reporters were that there were people inside , @ @ @ @ @ Upon arriving our crews encountered heavy fire on the backside of the structure.
” The @ @ @ @ @ spread to neighboring homes .
Firefighters rescued three people from the home and multiple animals @ @ @ @ @ of the rescued people later died , according to the Arvada Fire Protection District .
@ @ @ @ @ our partner at thedenverchannel.com .

Arvada officials say two people died after an early morning fire Wednesday. One other person remains in the hospital.
The first calls to 911 about a fire along the 11700 W. 71st Ave. in Arvada came in around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday, according to Amber Jones, Arvada Fire Protection District spokesperson.
“Initial reporters were that there were people inside,” she said. “Upon arriving our crews encountered heavy fire on the backside of the structure.”
Initially, they could not find two other people who may have been inside the home at the time of the fire. Later, those two people were accounted for and are safe.
Read the full story from our partners at thedenverchannel.com.


thedenverpost--2020-07-15--Here’s what the Nuggets will be wearing on the back of their jerseys this summer

The Nuggets unveiled on Monday the social justice messages that 14 of their players will wear on the back of their jerseys when the 2019-20 NBA season re-starts in Orlando , Florida .
Here ’ s the list : According to ESPN ’ s The Undefeated , the messages agreed upon by the NBA and the players association include : Ally , Anti-Racist , Black Lives Matter , Education Reform , Enough , Equality , Freedom , Group Economics , Hear Us , How Many More , I Am A Man , I Can ’ t Breathe , Justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to Us , Love Us , Mentor , Peace , Power to the People , Respect Us , Say Her Name , Say Their Names , See Us , Sí Se Puede ( Yes We Can ) , Speak Up , Stand Up and Vote .
“ Equality ” was the early favorite among players , according to ESPN .
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
If you have any questions or suggestions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joenguyen or by email .
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers !
Subscribe to The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $ 6.99/month thereafter .
Cancel anytime .
+ Broncos Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Ryan O ’ Halloran here .
+ Nuggets Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Singer here .
+ Avs Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Saunders here .
No one could ’ ve blamed Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic had he been dispirited in the wake of his weeks-long ordeal following a positive coronavirus test .
Precious practice time with teammates was lost , and for weeks , team officials had to answer for his whereabouts .
Read more… Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story : Is the Rockies ’ duo the best left side in all of baseball ?
There is no doubt in Bud Black ’ s mind : The Rockies have the best left side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story .
In 2019 , each player had 588 at-bats , and the duo combined for a .304 average , 76 homers and 203 RBIs .
Read more… Mikko Rantanen missed the Avalanche ’ s original training camp .
He ’ s excited to be part of the second .
Some Avalanche players probably aren ’ t thrilled going through a second full-fledged training camp this season .
Mikko Rantanen isn ’ t one of them .
After all , the star right winger missed camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DU Pioneers forward Troy Terry gets 3-year extension with Anaheim Ducks + Post-Redskins , Washington has long road toward new name + Litke : What ’ s in a name ?
Stubborn Washington owner Dan Snyder is about to find out..
If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

The Nuggets unveiled on Monday the social justice messages that 14 of their players will wear on the back of their jerseys when the 2019-20 NBA season re-starts in Orlando, Florida. Here’s the list:
Black Lives Matter: Bol Bol, Tyler Cook, Troy Daniels, Monte Morris
Love us: Torrey Craig, Mason Plumlee
Vote: Keita Bates-Diop, Paul Millsap
Equality: Vlatko Cancar, Gary Harris
Stand Up: Michael Porter Jr.
Freedom: Jamal Murray
Respect Us: PJ Dozier
I can’t breathe: Noah Vonleh
According to ESPN’s The Undefeated, the messages agreed upon by the NBA and the players association include: Ally, Anti-Racist, Black Lives Matter, Education Reform, Enough, Equality, Freedom, Group Economics, Hear Us, How Many More, I Am A Man, I Can’t Breathe, Justice, Justice Now, Liberation, Listen, Listen to Us, Love Us, Mentor, Peace, Power to the People, Respect Us, Say Her Name, Say Their Names, See Us, Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can), Speak Up, Stand Up and Vote. “Equality” was the early favorite among players, according to ESPN.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
Must-Reads
No one could’ve blamed Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic had he been dispirited in the wake of his weeks-long ordeal following a positive coronavirus test. Precious practice time with teammates was lost, and for weeks, team officials had to answer for his whereabouts. Read more…
There is no doubt in Bud Black’s mind: The Rockies have the best left side of the infield in all of baseball between third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story. In 2019, each player had 588 at-bats, and the duo combined for a .304 average, 76 homers and 203 RBIs. Read more…
Some Avalanche players probably aren’t thrilled going through a second full-fledged training camp this season. Mikko Rantanen isn’t one of them. After all, the star right winger missed camp last fall. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Former DU Pioneers forward Troy Terry gets 3-year extension with Anaheim Ducks
+ Justin Simmons signs franchise tender with Broncos
+ Post-Redskins, Washington has long road toward new name
+ Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon named 2019-20 Ted Lindsay Award finalist.
+ Trustin Oliver commits to CU Buffs football.
+ Tokyo Olympics could help Sapporo land 2030 Winter Games.
+ Chiefs, Chris Jones agree to 4-year, $85M extension, AP source says.
+ Litke: What’s in a name? Stubborn Washington owner Dan Snyder is about to find out..
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.


thedenverpost--2020-07-15--Denver gives $125,000 worth of grants to local groups combating youth violence

After a week of violence that claimed the lives of four Denver teenagers , city leadership on Tuesday announced they will provide $ 125,000 to organizations working to prevent youth violence .
Each organization received between $ 5,000 and $ 8,000 from the city ’ s general fund .
The organizations primarily work in the southwest , north and northeast neighborhoods of Denver , though some are citywide .
“ Having grown up in this community and seeing the cycle of violence to come and go , it ’ s past time for us to find a way to disrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview Tuesday .
The aid is part of the city ’ s ongoing effort to address the violence among Denver ’ s youth .
Ten teenagers have been killed in homicides so far this year , more than the entirety of the year before , when eight teens were killed .
Hancock created the Youth Violence Prevention Action Table in 2019 to address the rising violence , and the group has been meeting for six months .
The group — composed of representatives from local nonprofits , universities as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies — gave some recommendations for change last week , and Hancock said he expects more recommendations next week .
The group ’ s goal , Hancock said , is to address systemic , root causes of violence .
“ This time the team and I decided to slow down a little bit and take a more broad approach to it , ” he said .
Some of the ideas presented last week included better using youth groups that are already in place , making mental health services more accessible to youth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job training programs to better help young people .
The Youth Violence Prevention Action Table ’ s interim report , delayed due to the pandemic , is expected by the end of July and a final report with recommendations by the end of the year , said Ryan Luby , spokesman for the Denver City Attorney ’ s Office .
“ I ’ d rather do it right , not fast , ” Hancock said .
Several organizations have called out Hancock for a perceived lack of action in the wake of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations working on the ground is crucial for progress , said Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore , who represents the far northeast .
Microgrants are a good step , she said , but more investment is necessary so those organizations can meet the need and pay their staff a livable wage .
“ Does that money come out of the safety department budget ?
” she said .
“ Does it come out of the Denver Police Department ’ s funds ?
” Hundreds of community members gathered Monday night at two meetings to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police or the city .
They discussed setting up safe zones where young people can access services or hang out without fear of violence .
The groups also talked about creating citizen patrols to keep eyes on the neighborhoods and intervene before violence can start .
“ As a community , we ’ re saying ‘ If you ’ re not going to do it , we ’ re going to step up , ' ” the Rev .
Quincy Shannon said at a meeting Monday .
“ These safe spaces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
Enough is enough . '
” “ If another young person dies , we ’ re saying their life matters , ” Shannon said .
“ Black lives matter , and it ’ s not just about George Floyd , it ’ s about ever single young person whose body was not allowed to make it to whatever their life should have been .
”

After a week of violence that claimed the lives of four Denver teenagers, city leadership on Tuesday announced they will provide $125,000 to organizations working to prevent youth violence.
Each organization received between $5,000 and $8,000 from the city’s general fund. The organizations primarily work in the southwest, north and northeast neighborhoods of Denver, though some are citywide.
“Having grown up in this community and seeing the cycle of violence to come and go, it’s past time for us to find a way to disrupt this cycle,” Mayor Michael Hancock said in an interview Tuesday.
The aid is part of the city’s ongoing effort to address the violence among Denver’s youth. Ten teenagers have been killed in homicides so far this year, more than the entirety of the year before, when eight teens were killed.
Hancock created the Youth Violence Prevention Action Table in 2019 to address the rising violence, and the group has been meeting for six months. The group — composed of representatives from local nonprofits, universities as well as city, state and federal government agencies — gave some recommendations for change last week, and Hancock said he expects more recommendations next week.
The group’s goal, Hancock said, is to address systemic, root causes of violence.
“This time the team and I decided to slow down a little bit and take a more broad approach to it,” he said.
Some of the ideas presented last week included better using youth groups that are already in place, making mental health services more accessible to youth in their own community, and leveraging existing job training programs to better help young people.
The Youth Violence Prevention Action Table’s interim report, delayed due to the pandemic, is expected by the end of July and a final report with recommendations by the end of the year, said Ryan Luby, spokesman for the Denver City Attorney’s Office.
“I’d rather do it right, not fast,” Hancock said.
Several organizations have called out Hancock for a perceived lack of action in the wake of the latest killings.
Funneling more money toward organizations working on the ground is crucial for progress, said Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore, who represents the far northeast. Microgrants are a good step, she said, but more investment is necessary so those organizations can meet the need and pay their staff a livable wage.
“Does that money come out of the safety department budget?” she said. “Does it come out of the Denver Police Department’s funds?”
Hundreds of community members gathered Monday night at two meetings to discuss steps they could take without the help of police or the city. They discussed setting up safe zones where young people can access services or hang out without fear of violence. The groups also talked about creating citizen patrols to keep eyes on the neighborhoods and intervene before violence can start.
“As a community, we’re saying ‘If you’re not going to do it, we’re going to step up,'” the Rev. Quincy Shannon said at a meeting Monday. “These safe spaces, this is us saying, ‘No more. Enough is enough.'”
“If another young person dies, we’re saying their life matters,” Shannon said. “Black lives matter, and it’s not just about George Floyd, it’s about ever single young person whose body was not allowed to make it to whatever their life should have been.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-15--For all its faults, the Paycheck Protection Program provided a lifeline in Colorado

Despite its many flaws , the Paycheck Protection Program pumped billions of dollars into the Colorado economy , saving hundreds of thousands of jobs the pandemic had jeopardized .
With the outbreak accelerating again , more help may be needed , some analysts say .
“ The money was a godsend , ” said Dean Wiltshire , owner of Colorado Teardrops , a Boulder trailer manufacturer .
“ With the PPP money we were funded , we could pay rent , utilities and meet our payroll.
” The maker of small trailers restarted a manufacturing line and brought back 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as demand for recreational vehicles skyrockets .
When a key supplier suffered delays , the company ’ s PPP loan , which totaled $ 160,000 , allowed production to keep moving forward until the needed parts arrived .
Wiltshire is a big fan of the PPP , but he also acknowledges receiving less than requested and having to wait longer than anticipated after his initial applications got held up .
Among the criticisms of the program are that it initially favored bigger businesses over smaller ones , wasn ’ t as accessible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to tax-exempt organizations , and proffered loans to industries and agencies — such as oil and gas companies and Planned Parenthood — that offered grist for activists on both sides of the political aisle to complain about .
From early April through June 30 , 104,402 borrowers in the state received approval for $ 10.37 billion in loans , according to the U.S. Small Business Administration , which supervises the program .
That ’ s more than three times the $ 3.27 billion in unemployment benefits , both federal and state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Colorado Department of Labor .
As backed up as the state ’ s unemployment system was , things likely would have been much worse without the PPP .
PPP borrowers in Colorado expected the money would retain nearly 928,000 jobs , a count that excludes those who left the box blank in their applications .
That represents about a third of the 2.75 million employed people in Colorado in the middle of May .
“ While imperfect , I do believe PPP has contributed to the recovery by easing workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies to retain workers , as well as cover rent and other expenses , ” said Brian Lewandowski , an economist with the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business .
Although the program targeted aid to businesses with under 500 employees , its real intent was to keep workers employed .
To encourage that , borrowers who spent 75 % of the funds on payroll expenses within eight weeks could have their loans forgiven .
Otherwise , they would end up with a two-year loan at a 1 % interest rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population of small businesses that were helped by gaining access to this money .
They were able to keep employees on the payroll who didn ’ t end up on the unemployment insurance system .
It was just a bridge , ” said Eric Groves , CEO of Alignable , an online network of 5 million small businesses .
The Children ’ s Museum of Denver finds itself on the other side of that bridge , but not necessarily on the road to recovery .
The nonprofit received under $ 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t able to reopen , it used the money to retain 115 staff members through June 4 .
“ The most significant benefit was that our team members were able to stay employed and retain their benefits during a very challenging time .
It also helped us to transition to online and electronic content for our community while affording us the opportunity to see how things developed with COVID-19 and plan for a future reopening , ” said Mike Yankovich , president and CEO of the museum .
The PPP launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and barring another shutdown , it will keep going , Wiltshire said .
But for The Children ’ s Museum , the money ran out before the virus did , and it had to let go of half of its staff in June .
It will start a phased reopening later this month .
The Paycheck Protection Program was signed into law on May 27 as part of the CARES Act and opened for applications on April 3 .
Borrowers and banks alike describe the process , especially in the early weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered and repeatedly amended .
“ It was rough initially .
The very nature of putting together something like that on the fly is going to result in a less than perfect rollout , ” said Ashley John Burt , president and CEO of The Gunnison Bank and Trust Company .
One of the biggest challenges Gunnison Bank faced was submitting applications to the SBA system , which often crashed .
Big banks could dump big batch files , but smaller banks struggled to advance applications as funds were being claimed .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
It would kick us off , ” Burt said .
“ I had people coming in and working through the night to gain access to the system , trying to avoid peak times and peak web traffic.
” The initial round of $ 349 billion ran out in two weeks , leaving frustrated businesses fearful they had been left behind .
“ I don ’ t think SBA and the lenders were prepared when it first opened up .
It caught a lot of lenders off guard .
The SBA was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of borrowers at the time .
We had never been through this before , ” said Tony Gagliardi , Colorado State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business .
Gagliardi said an early perception among his members , who have on average five to nine employees , was that lenders were focused on the biggest borrowers and that they were being left behind .
An analysis of loan approval dates in Colorado does support the idea that big borrowers were allowed early seating .
There were 91,017 PPP borrowers in Colorado with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off for disclosing the name of a borrower .
The average date they received loan approval was on April 28 .
The average loan approval date for the 13,385 borrowers with loans above $ 150,000 was April 16 .
And even though they had access to other capital sources , nearly three dozen public companies in Colorado won approval for PPP funds , according to COVID Stimulus Watch database from Good Jobs First .
Out of all the loans issued in Colorado , only 1.5 % were for more than $ 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrowers who had the most trouble navigating the system and who had to wait the longest to receive funds .
A survey done by Alignable found that minority-owned businesses reported rejection rates twice as high as non-minority borrowers .
“ Roughly 12 % of the minority businesses that applied for the loans were rejected compared to 6 % of the non-minority , ” Groves said .
Had the rejection rate been comparable , another $ 20 billion could have gotten into the hands of minority businesses , he estimates .
Groves said some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lenders that minority businesses turned to and their ability to access the SBA system .
Some borrowers thought they were approved , but never received funds , the Alignable survey found .
Concerns about missing out eased after Congress allocated another $ 320 billion to the PPP .
In the second round , a greater emphasis was placed on reaching smaller enterprises and minority-owned and women-owned businesses through community lenders .
“ It wasn ’ t as much ‘ favoritism ’ as it was streamlining of service , ” said Jenifer Waller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banks naturally served existing customers first because they already had those borrowers ’ information , which allowed for faster processing , she said .
Also , despite the funds originating from the SBA , banks still had to follow federal “ Know Your Customer ” laws and other regulations .
Those delayed the processing of loans from new customers who couldn ’ t apply with their existing banks and credit unions .
Why did they get money ?
The Treasury Department resisted releasing the names of PPP borrowers , citing privacy concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names , borrowers were informed ahead of time of disclosure and taxpayer dollars are involved .
Eventually , it conceded , releasing a redacted list of borrowers approved for loans of $ 150,000 or more on July 6 .
The speed of the program ’ s implementation also shows up in the borrowers ’ list .
For example , Snappy Nails & Spa locations in Broomfield and Westminster each show up as being approved for loans in the $ 5 million to $ 10 million range .
Given the two salons were retaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amounts made no sense .
“ After reviewing the data , it appears that the business was initially approved for a larger loan based on a data entry error by the lender .
What happened is that , prior to disbursement , the lender adjusted the amount to correct the error , ” said SBA spokesman Chris Chavez .
As soon as the borrower list was released , it was open season on complaining about who received assistance and whether that was an appropriate use of public dollars .
Opponents of abortion were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 of its 49 affiliates , including Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood , which received between $ 2 million to $ 5 million to retain 400 jobs .
“ From Day 1 , the Payroll Protection Program made it clear that Planned Parenthood affiliates were not allowed to receive the PPP loan funds .
Yet , the organization ignored the rules and stole money from the American people , ” said Jim Sedlack , executive director of the American Life League , in a statement .
Newsweek estimates at least $ 7.3 billion was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.7 billion the Associated Press estimates went to the Catholic Church .
That raised concerns about the separation of church and state and more generally , why tax dollars were going to tax-exempt organizations .
“ No organization was immune to the financial hardships created by a global pandemic that shut down many aspects of our society , and so it seems misguided for anyone to be arguing that more people should have lost their jobs simply because they work for a church , ” the Archdiocese of Denver offered in a rebuttal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 178 Colorado fossil fuel companies received a PPP loan , especially the 17 that reported zero jobs retained .
Normally , companies with fewer than 500 workers can apply for SBA loans , but the limits are set at 1,250 for oil and gas firms and 1,500 for coal companies .
“ Everyone can agree that COVID relief should go to those who truly need it — working Americans and small businesses , ” said Lauren French , communications director for Climate Power 2020 .
“ It shouldn ’ t be for oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are abusing the program or abusing the system to get large payouts on taxpayers ’ dimes.
” Multiple investment management and private equity firms show up on the list of borrowers , as do nearly a dozen private clubs across the state , from the Cherry Creek Country Club in Denver to the Maroon Creek Club in Aspen .
Country clubs and golf clubs , even though they cater to a wealthier clientele , were shut down , and investment firms were rocked by a big drop in equity values in February and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the model the U.S. Treasury and the SBA fell back on was one of providing disaster relief .
The goal was to get dollars out as quickly as possible to as many businesses as possible , rather than targeting aid .
That meant some borrowers who didn ’ t really need the money or didn ’ t qualify likely snuck through .
“ It wasn ’ t meant to be the thing that rebuilds the community , ” Groves said .
Heading into the crisis , many small businesses were operating on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed when the state and local governments ordered closures .
Even though many things have reopened , sales remain down for many .
“ For a variety of reasons , when the crisis hit , a majority of them only had a month of reserves — 37 % had bank balances of less than one month , ” Groves said .
Gagliardi said borrowers initially had eight weeks to spend the money , whether the customers were there or not , and whether workers were ready to return .
“ You have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling secure .
We are just now reaching that point , ” he said .
The rules were later eased to give businesses more flexibility on how and when funds were spent .
There is even a proposal to forgive all loans under $ 150,000 .
But the changes came too late for many borrowers , who rushed to rehire workers and pay them .
That set up a conflict with another provision in the CARES Act that provided unemployed workers an additional $ 600 a week in federal assistance , the equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers could make more staying home , and they pushed back , Gagliardi said .
When the program reached its initial deadline at the end of June , there was still $ 130 billion left .
The deadline was extended to Aug. 4 .
Most who needed or wanted to borrow have done so and the rules don ’ t allow a second loan , although Congress is considering changing that .
The PPP , for all its faults , provided the U.S. economy a few month ’ s time to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive a strong rebound in hiring .
The vast majority of those who received helped needed help , Groves said .
But the money has largely been spent , and extended federal unemployment benefits are set to expire this month .
As infection rates skyrocket in California , Florida , Texas and Arizona , the worry is that many parts of the country will have to reverse course on reopening .
Whatever breathing room the PPP bought , at a price tag of $ 521.5 billion , may end up being squandered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to solve for .
Once we solve for that , our economic issues will be easier to understand .
We will have some clarity about what the future holds .
We are operating with an extremely uncertain future , ” Burt said .

Despite its many flaws, the Paycheck Protection Program pumped billions of dollars into the Colorado economy, saving hundreds of thousands of jobs the pandemic had jeopardized. With the outbreak accelerating again, more help may be needed, some analysts say.
“The money was a godsend,” said Dean Wiltshire, owner of Colorado Teardrops, a Boulder trailer manufacturer. “With the PPP money we were funded, we could pay rent, utilities and meet our payroll.”
The maker of small trailers restarted a manufacturing line and brought back 16 workers, and is now at 20 as demand for recreational vehicles skyrockets. When a key supplier suffered delays, the company’s PPP loan, which totaled $160,000, allowed production to keep moving forward until the needed parts arrived.
Wiltshire is a big fan of the PPP, but he also acknowledges receiving less than requested and having to wait longer than anticipated after his initial applications got held up.
Among the criticisms of the program are that it initially favored bigger businesses over smaller ones, wasn’t as accessible to minority-owned companies, funneled billions in tax dollars to tax-exempt organizations, and proffered loans to industries and agencies — such as oil and gas companies and Planned Parenthood — that offered grist for activists on both sides of the political aisle to complain about.
From early April through June 30, 104,402 borrowers in the state received approval for $10.37 billion in loans, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which supervises the program.
That’s more than three times the $3.27 billion in unemployment benefits, both federal and state, distributed in Colorado since March 29, according to the Colorado Department of Labor. As backed up as the state’s unemployment system was, things likely would have been much worse without the PPP.
PPP borrowers in Colorado expected the money would retain nearly 928,000 jobs, a count that excludes those who left the box blank in their applications. That represents about a third of the 2.75 million employed people in Colorado in the middle of May.
“While imperfect, I do believe PPP has contributed to the recovery by easing workforce friction and sustaining operations. PPP allowed companies to retain workers, as well as cover rent and other expenses,” said Brian Lewandowski, an economist with the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business.
Although the program targeted aid to businesses with under 500 employees, its real intent was to keep workers employed. To encourage that, borrowers who spent 75% of the funds on payroll expenses within eight weeks could have their loans forgiven. Otherwise, they would end up with a two-year loan at a 1% interest rate.
“There was a percentage of the population of small businesses that were helped by gaining access to this money. They were able to keep employees on the payroll who didn’t end up on the unemployment insurance system. It was just a bridge,” said Eric Groves, CEO of Alignable, an online network of 5 million small businesses.
The Children’s Museum of Denver finds itself on the other side of that bridge, but not necessarily on the road to recovery. The nonprofit received under $1 million in PPP funds. Even though it wasn’t able to reopen, it used the money to retain 115 staff members through June 4.
“The most significant benefit was that our team members were able to stay employed and retain their benefits during a very challenging time. It also helped us to transition to online and electronic content for our community while affording us the opportunity to see how things developed with COVID-19 and plan for a future reopening,” said Mike Yankovich, president and CEO of the museum.
The PPP launched Colorado Teardrops into a successful restart, and barring another shutdown, it will keep going, Wiltshire said. But for The Children’s Museum, the money ran out before the virus did, and it had to let go of half of its staff in June. It will start a phased reopening later this month.
A mad rush for money and survival
The Paycheck Protection Program was signed into law on March 27 as part of the CARES Act and opened for applications on April 3. Borrowers and banks alike describe the process, especially in the early weeks, as rushed and confusing. Rules were offered and repeatedly amended.
“It was rough initially. The very nature of putting together something like that on the fly is going to result in a less than perfect rollout,” said Ashley John Burt, president and CEO of The Gunnison Bank and Trust Company.
One of the biggest challenges Gunnison Bank faced was submitting applications to the SBA system, which often crashed. Big banks could dump big batch files, but smaller banks struggled to advance applications as funds were being claimed.
“We couldn’t get onto their system. It would kick us off,” Burt said. “I had people coming in and working through the night to gain access to the system, trying to avoid peak times and peak web traffic.”
The initial round of $349 billion ran out in two weeks, leaving frustrated businesses fearful they had been left behind.
“I don’t think SBA and the lenders were prepared when it first opened up. It caught a lot of lenders off guard. The SBA was in no position to handle the influx of borrowers at the time. We had never been through this before,” said Tony Gagliardi, Colorado State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business.
Gagliardi said an early perception among his members, who have on average five to nine employees, was that lenders were focused on the biggest borrowers and that they were being left behind.
An analysis of loan approval dates in Colorado does support the idea that big borrowers were allowed early seating.
There were 91,017 PPP borrowers in Colorado with loans below $150,000, the cut off for disclosing the name of a borrower. The average date they received loan approval was on April 28.
The average loan approval date for the 13,385 borrowers with loans above $150,000 was April 16. And even though they had access to other capital sources, nearly three dozen public companies in Colorado won approval for PPP funds, according to COVID Stimulus Watch database from Good Jobs First.
Out of all the loans issued in Colorado, only 1.5% were for more than $1 million, but it was the smallest of borrowers who had the most trouble navigating the system and who had to wait the longest to receive funds.
A survey done by Alignable found that minority-owned businesses reported rejection rates twice as high as non-minority borrowers.
“Roughly 12% of the minority businesses that applied for the loans were rejected compared to 6% of the non-minority,” Groves said. Had the rejection rate been comparable, another $20 billion could have gotten into the hands of minority businesses, he estimates.
Groves said some of that had to do with the lenders that minority businesses turned to and their ability to access the SBA system. Some borrowers thought they were approved, but never received funds, the Alignable survey found.
Concerns about missing out eased after Congress allocated another $320 billion to the PPP. In the second round, a greater emphasis was placed on reaching smaller enterprises and minority-owned and women-owned businesses through community lenders.
“It wasn’t as much ‘favoritism’ as it was streamlining of service,” said Jenifer Waller, president of the Colorado Bankers Association.
Banks naturally served existing customers first because they already had those borrowers’ information, which allowed for faster processing, she said. Also, despite the funds originating from the SBA, banks still had to follow federal “Know Your Customer” laws and other regulations. Those delayed the processing of loans from new customers who couldn’t apply with their existing banks and credit unions.
Why did they get money?
The Treasury Department resisted releasing the names of PPP borrowers, citing privacy concerns, even though other SBA loan programs provide names, borrowers were informed ahead of time of disclosure and taxpayer dollars are involved. Eventually, it conceded, releasing a redacted list of borrowers approved for loans of $150,000 or more on July 6.
The speed of the program’s implementation also shows up in the borrowers’ list. For example, Snappy Nails & Spa locations in Broomfield and Westminster each show up as being approved for loans in the $5 million to $10 million range. Given the two salons were retaining 23 jobs between them, the loan amounts made no sense.
“After reviewing the data, it appears that the business was initially approved for a larger loan based on a data entry error by the lender. What happened is that, prior to disbursement, the lender adjusted the amount to correct the error,” said SBA spokesman Chris Chavez.
As soon as the borrower list was released, it was open season on complaining about who received assistance and whether that was an appropriate use of public dollars.
Opponents of abortion were critical that Planned Parenthood received funding for 42 of its 49 affiliates, including Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, which received between $2 million to $5 million to retain 400 jobs.
“From Day 1, the Payroll Protection Program made it clear that Planned Parenthood affiliates were not allowed to receive the PPP loan funds. Yet, the organization ignored the rules and stole money from the American people,” said Jim Sedlack, executive director of the American Life League, in a statement.
Newsweek estimates at least $7.3 billion was approved for religious groups, including $1.7 billion the Associated Press estimates went to the Catholic Church. That raised concerns about the separation of church and state and more generally, why tax dollars were going to tax-exempt organizations.
“No organization was immune to the financial hardships created by a global pandemic that shut down many aspects of our society, and so it seems misguided for anyone to be arguing that more people should have lost their jobs simply because they work for a church,” the Archdiocese of Denver offered in a rebuttal.
Environmental groups were not happy that 178 Colorado fossil fuel companies received a PPP loan, especially the 17 that reported zero jobs retained. Normally, companies with fewer than 500 workers can apply for SBA loans, but the limits are set at 1,250 for oil and gas firms and 1,500 for coal companies.
“Everyone can agree that COVID relief should go to those who truly need it — working Americans and small businesses,” said Lauren French, communications director for Climate Power 2020. “It shouldn’t be for oil and gas giants and large corporations who are abusing the program or abusing the system to get large payouts on taxpayers’ dimes.”
Multiple investment management and private equity firms show up on the list of borrowers, as do nearly a dozen private clubs across the state, from the Cherry Creek Country Club in Denver to the Maroon Creek Club in Aspen.
Country clubs and golf clubs, even though they cater to a wealthier clientele, were shut down, and investment firms were rocked by a big drop in equity values in February and March which reduced their revenues.
And the model the U.S. Treasury and the SBA fell back on was one of providing disaster relief. The goal was to get dollars out as quickly as possible to as many businesses as possible, rather than targeting aid. That meant some borrowers who didn’t really need the money or didn’t qualify likely snuck through.
“It wasn’t meant to be the thing that rebuilds the community,” Groves said.
A squandered opportunity?
Heading into the crisis, many small businesses were operating on a thin cushion of reserves, leaving them exposed when the state and local governments ordered closures. Even though many things have reopened, sales remain down for many.
“For a variety of reasons, when the crisis hit, a majority of them only had a month of reserves — 37% had bank balances of less than one month,” Groves said.
Gagliardi said borrowers initially had eight weeks to spend the money, whether the customers were there or not, and whether workers were ready to return.
“You have to rely on the consumer having confidence and feeling secure. We are just now reaching that point,” he said.
The rules were later eased to give businesses more flexibility on how and when funds were spent. There is even a proposal to forgive all loans under $150,000. But the changes came too late for many borrowers, who rushed to rehire workers and pay them.
That set up a conflict with another provision in the CARES Act that provided unemployed workers an additional $600 a week in federal assistance, the equivalent of $15 an hour. Many workers could make more staying home, and they pushed back, Gagliardi said.
When the program reached its initial deadline at the end of June, there was still $130 billion left. The deadline was extended to Aug. 4. Most who needed or wanted to borrow have done so and the rules don’t allow a second loan, although Congress is considering changing that.
The PPP, for all its faults, provided the U.S. economy a few month’s time to get the outbreak contained, and it has helped drive a strong rebound in hiring. The vast majority of those who received helped needed help, Groves said.
But the money has largely been spent, and extended federal unemployment benefits are set to expire this month. As infection rates skyrocket in California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, the worry is that many parts of the country will have to reverse course on reopening. Whatever breathing room the PPP bought, at a price tag of $521.5 billion, may end up being squandered.
“We have a public health crisis we have to solve for. Once we solve for that, our economic issues will be easier to understand. We will have some clarity about what the future holds. We are operating with an extremely uncertain future,” Burt said.
Updated 7:50 a.m. July 15, 2020 This story has been updated to correct when the Paycheck Protection Program was signed into law as part of the CARES Act. That occurred March 27.


thedenverpost--2020-07-15--Stay or go? Coloradans in Congress uncommitted on attending Republican National Convention

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck , chair of the Colorado Republican Party , will attend the Republican National Convention next month , a party spokesman told The Denver Post .
Most years , that would be unremarkable and unsurprising .
But the state ’ s three other Republican members of Congress have not said whether they will attend the event .
It will be in Florida , which has witnessed record-high cases of coronavirus .
The event is scheduled for Aug. 25-27 in Jacksonville but details remain in flux , including the guest list .
Nationwide , more than a dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay home .
Some have cited health concerns .
A campaign spokesperson for Sen. Cory Gardner , a Yuma Republican , declined to comment this week .
Spokespeople for Rep. Doug Lamborn , R-Colorado Springs , and Rep. Scott Tipton , R-Cortez , did not respond to a request for comment .
Tipton is the only Republican member of Colorado ’ s congressional delegation who is not facing re-election in November , because he lost a primary late last month to Lauren Boebert , a Rifle Republican .
Her campaign did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boebert will attend the convention in Jacksonville .
“ I have never had any doubt about going , ” said Randy Corporon , an RNC national committeeman from Colorado .
“ At least no reason to have doubt about it .
But with so much up in the air , you never know.
” The Republican Party moved the convention from North Carolina to avoid that state ’ s health precautions .
But the spread of coronavirus across Florida has brought new headaches and uncertainty .
“ Any sane person is concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a talk radio host and lawyer who represents several businesses that are fighting shutdown orders .
“ But I ’ m also concerned about the survival of our civilization.
” Democrats , meanwhile , abandoned their previous plans for a large convention in Milwaukee .
They will have small events in the Wisconsin city but are largely transitioning to a virtual convention .

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, chair of the Colorado Republican Party, will attend the Republican National Convention next month, a party spokesman told The Denver Post.
Most years, that would be unremarkable and unsurprising. But the state’s three other Republican members of Congress have not said whether they will attend the event. It will be in Florida, which has witnessed record-high cases of coronavirus.
The event is scheduled for Aug. 25-27 in Jacksonville but details remain in flux, including the guest list. Nationwide, more than a dozen Republican senators and representatives say they will stay home. Some have cited health concerns.
A campaign spokesperson for Sen. Cory Gardner, a Yuma Republican, declined to comment this week. Spokespeople for Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, and Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, did not respond to a request for comment.
Tipton is the only Republican member of Colorado’s congressional delegation who is not facing re-election in November, because he lost a primary late last month to Lauren Boebert, a Rifle Republican. Her campaign did not respond to a request for comment about whether Boebert will attend the convention in Jacksonville.
“I have never had any doubt about going,” said Randy Corporon, an RNC national committeeman from Colorado. “At least no reason to have doubt about it. But with so much up in the air, you never know.”
The Republican Party moved the convention from North Carolina to avoid that state’s health precautions. But the spread of coronavirus across Florida has brought new headaches and uncertainty.
“Any sane person is concerned about the virus,” said Corporon, a talk radio host and lawyer who represents several businesses that are fighting shutdown orders. “But I’m also concerned about the survival of our civilization.”
Democrats, meanwhile, abandoned their previous plans for a large convention in Milwaukee. They will have small events in the Wisconsin city but are largely transitioning to a virtual convention.