thedenverpost--2020-05-27--U.S. deaths from coronavirus surpass 100,000 milestone

HARTFORD , Conn. — The U.S. surpassed a jarring milestone Wednesday in the coronavirus pandemic : 100,000 deaths .
That number is the best estimate and most assuredly an undercount .
But it represents the stark reality that more Americans have died from the virus than from the Vietnam and Korea wars combined .
“ It ’ s a striking reminder of how dangerous this virus can be , ” said Josh Michaud , associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington .
Worldwide , the virus has infected more than 5.6 million people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having the most confirmed cases and deaths by far , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Europe has recorded about 170,000 deaths , while the U.S. reached more than 100,000 in less than four months .
The true death toll from the virus , which emerged in China late last year and was first reported in the U.S. in January , is widely believed to be significantly higher , with experts saying many victims died of COVID-19 without ever being tested for it .
At the end of March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Now , the U.S. has not only the highest death total , but the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world , making up more than 30 % of the global total .
Early on , President Donald Trump downplayed the severity of the coronavirus and called it no worse than the common flu .
He previously predicted the country wouldn ’ t reach this death toll .
As early as March , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , was warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives in the U.S. “ I think we ’ ll be substantially under that number , ” Trump said on April 10 .
Ten days later , he said , “ We ’ re going toward 50- or 60,000 people.
” Ten days after that : “ We ’ re probably heading to 60,000 , 70,000.
” Critics have said deaths spiked because Trump was slow to respond , but he has contended on Twitter that it could have been 20 times higher without his actions .
He has urged states to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The virus exacted an especially vicious toll on Trump ’ s hometown of New York City and its surrounding suburbs , killing more than 21,000 .
At the peak , hundreds of people were dying per day in New York City , and hospitals , ambulances and first responders were inundated with patients .
The densely packed New York metropolitan area , consisting of about 20 million people across a region that encompasses the city ’ s northern suburbs , Long Island and northern New Jersey , has been the hardest-hit corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least one-third of the nation ’ s deaths .
There is no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 , though several emergency treatments are being used after showing some promise in preliminary testing .
Worldwide , about a dozen vaccine candidates are starting to be tested or getting close to it .
Health officials have said studies of a potential vaccine might be done by late this year or early next year .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Among the 100,000 deaths was 74-year-old Michael Ganci , a resident of Newington , Connecticut , who died March 21 .
He was a public school teacher , a grandfather and father of four , and a 4th-degree belt Sensei in Kyokushin karate .
Ganci , who had a compromised immune system , died at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford three days after showing symptoms .
His family was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to text and talk with him on his cellphone during his final days .
His wife of 48 years also tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to grieve alone .
For their daughter , 45-year-old Joanna Ganci of Beverly , Massachusetts , the milestone and other statistics are important to understand the scope of the virus .
“ But at the same time , I think the danger of counting , the danger of statistics , is that it just minimizes the human element , ” she said .
“ And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country is in the throes of this kind of moment of just that the numbers don ’ t seem to mean anything anyway to many .
It ’ s like , what number is going to make an impact for people who haven ’ t been touched by it ?
” “ For people whose lives haven ’ t been threatened or where the virus hasn ’ t been as rampant through a community , I just think numbers or not , it ’ s still so abstract to so many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t matter if it ’ s 200,000 , 100,000 or 10 .
It doesn ’ t mean anything until you ’ re personally affected by it.
” From Jan. 1 through the end of April , the U.S. saw at least 66,000 more overall deaths than in similar periods for previous years , an increase of around 7 % , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The coronavirus was reported as a cause in about half the excess deaths , but experts also believe the virus was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coroners caution that deaths from other causes are likely up , too , including those from drug overdoses and among people who delayed treatment for problems like heart attacks .
It ’ s not even clear when the coronavirus turned deadly in the United States .
Initially , it was believed the first U.S. deaths from the virus were in late February in a Seattle suburb .
But by mid-April , it was determined that two people with the coronavirus died in California as many as three weeks earlier .
Comparing countries is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the fact that some coronavirus deaths can be missed .
According to figures tracked by Johns Hopkins University , the death rate per 100,000 people is lower in the U.S. than Italy , France and Spain but higher than Germany , China , South Korea , Singapore , Japan , New Zealand and Australia .
“ The experience of other countries shows that death at that scale was preventable , ” Michaud said .
“ To some extent the United States suffers from having a slow start and inconsistent approach .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different policies were put into place earlier and more forcefully.
” Countries with low death rates suppressed the virus “ through lots of testing , contact tracing and policies to support isolation and quarantine of people at risk , ” Michaud said .
Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr , director of ICAP , a global health center at Columbia University , called the U.S. death rate shocking .
“ It reflects the fact that we have neglected basic fundamentals for health , ” El-Sadr said .
“ We have neglected public health and we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services to all Americans.
” “ So , now we are in this shameful situation , ” El-Sadr said .
“ It is the most vulnerable people in our midst , the elderly , the poor , members of racial/ethnic minority groups who are the ones disproportionately getting sick and dying.
” Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

HARTFORD, Conn. — The U.S. surpassed a jarring milestone Wednesday in the coronavirus pandemic: 100,000 deaths.
That number is the best estimate and most assuredly an undercount. But it represents the stark reality that more Americans have died from the virus than from the Vietnam and Korea wars combined.
“It’s a striking reminder of how dangerous this virus can be,” said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.
Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 5.6 million people and killed over 350,000, with the U.S. having the most confirmed cases and deaths by far, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Europe has recorded about 170,000 deaths, while the U.S. reached more than 100,000 in less than four months.
The true death toll from the virus, which emerged in China late last year and was first reported in the U.S. in January, is widely believed to be significantly higher, with experts saying many victims died of COVID-19 without ever being tested for it.
At the end of March, the United States eclipsed China with 3,500 deaths. Now, the U.S. has not only the highest death total, but the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world, making up more than 30% of the global total.
Early on, President Donald Trump downplayed the severity of the coronavirus and called it no worse than the common flu. He previously predicted the country wouldn’t reach this death toll. As early as March, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, was warning that COVID-19 could claim more than 100,000 lives in the U.S.
“I think we’ll be substantially under that number,” Trump said on April 10. Ten days later, he said, “We’re going toward 50- or 60,000 people.” Ten days after that: “We’re probably heading to 60,000, 70,000.”
Critics have said deaths spiked because Trump was slow to respond, but he has contended on Twitter that it could have been 20 times higher without his actions. He has urged states to reopen their economies after months of stay-at-home restrictions.
The virus exacted an especially vicious toll on Trump’s hometown of New York City and its surrounding suburbs, killing more than 21,000. At the peak, hundreds of people were dying per day in New York City, and hospitals, ambulances and first responders were inundated with patients.
The densely packed New York metropolitan area, consisting of about 20 million people across a region that encompasses the city’s northern suburbs, Long Island and northern New Jersey, has been the hardest-hit corner of the country, accounting for at least one-third of the nation’s deaths.
There is no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, though several emergency treatments are being used after showing some promise in preliminary testing.
Worldwide, about a dozen vaccine candidates are starting to be tested or getting close to it. Health officials have said studies of a potential vaccine might be done by late this year or early next year.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Among the 100,000 deaths was 74-year-old Michael Ganci, a resident of Newington, Connecticut, who died March 21. He was a public school teacher, a grandfather and father of four, and a 4th-degree belt Sensei in Kyokushin karate.
Ganci, who had a compromised immune system, died at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford three days after showing symptoms. His family was not allowed to be with him and tried to text and talk with him on his cellphone during his final days. His wife of 48 years also tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to grieve alone.
For their daughter, 45-year-old Joanna Ganci of Beverly, Massachusetts, the milestone and other statistics are important to understand the scope of the virus.
“But at the same time, I think the danger of counting, the danger of statistics, is that it just minimizes the human element,” she said. “And I think, again, we see that our country is in the throes of this kind of moment of just that the numbers don’t seem to mean anything anyway to many. It’s like, what number is going to make an impact for people who haven’t been touched by it?”
“For people whose lives haven’t been threatened or where the virus hasn’t been as rampant through a community, I just think numbers or not, it’s still so abstract to so many people,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 200,000, 100,000 or 10. It doesn’t mean anything until you’re personally affected by it.”
From Jan. 1 through the end of April, the U.S. saw at least 66,000 more overall deaths than in similar periods for previous years, an increase of around 7%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The coronavirus was reported as a cause in about half the excess deaths, but experts also believe the virus was likely a factor in many others. Coroners caution that deaths from other causes are likely up, too, including those from drug overdoses and among people who delayed treatment for problems like heart attacks.
It’s not even clear when the coronavirus turned deadly in the United States. Initially, it was believed the first U.S. deaths from the virus were in late February in a Seattle suburb. But by mid-April, it was determined that two people with the coronavirus died in California as many as three weeks earlier.
Comparing countries is tricky, given varying levels of testing and the fact that some coronavirus deaths can be missed. According to figures tracked by Johns Hopkins University, the death rate per 100,000 people is lower in the U.S. than Italy, France and Spain but higher than Germany, China, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
“The experience of other countries shows that death at that scale was preventable,” Michaud said. “To some extent the United States suffers from having a slow start and inconsistent approach. We might have seen a different trajectory if different policies were put into place earlier and more forcefully.”
Countries with low death rates suppressed the virus “through lots of testing, contact tracing and policies to support isolation and quarantine of people at risk,” Michaud said.
Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of ICAP, a global health center at Columbia University, called the U.S. death rate shocking.
“It reflects the fact that we have neglected basic fundamentals for health,” El-Sadr said. “We have neglected public health and we have failed to secure access to quality health services to all Americans.”
“So, now we are in this shameful situation,” El-Sadr said. “It is the most vulnerable people in our midst, the elderly, the poor, members of racial/ethnic minority groups who are the ones disproportionately getting sick and dying.”
___
Johnson reported from Washington state. Pane reported from Boise, Idaho.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-05-27--Cheyenne Frontier Days canceled for first time in 124 years

CHEYENNE , Wyo .
— Cheyenne Frontier Days , billed as the world ’ s largest outdoor rodeo , has been canceled for the first time in its 124-year history due to the coronavirus , the city ’ s mayor told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
Event organizers decided the risk of spreading the virus was too great for the more than 140,000 people who visit the city for Frontier Days over the last two weeks in July , Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr said in an interview .
“ What this pandemic means is we just can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We really have to stay apart so we can come together again sooner rather than later .
It ’ s clear that we just aren ’ t going to be ready for this.
” Frontier Days carried on through both world wars and the Great Depression , when tough finances prompted it to become a mostly volunteer-run event .
To this day , a small army of local volunteers runs the Western heritage festival of rodeo , music concerts , carnival rides , parades and downtown pancake breakfasts that feed thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Cheyenne are typically standing-room-only during Frontier Days as people try line dancing and mechanical bull-riding .
The rodeo is also a big draw for top rodeo athletes .
A Frontier Days belt buckle is among the sport ’ s most coveted prizes and the event ’ s payouts of more $ 1 million in payouts are lucrative in the rodeo circuit .
Frontier Days pumps up to $ 28 million into the local economy and some shops get by largely for the year on those two weeks of booming business .
Wyoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had relatively few cases of the coronavirus and its 13 deaths as of Wednesday ranked near the bottom of U.S. states in COVID-19 deaths overall and per capita .
Gov .
Mark Gordon , a Republican , has gradually lifted restrictions on businesses , allowing people to go to bars and dine in at restaurants .
He supported last week ’ s reopening of Grand Teton National Park and the partial reopening of Yellowstone National Park , which for now is accessible through Wyoming but not Montana .
Tourism is Wyoming ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fossil-fuel extraction .
But recent surges of the virus in the cities of Casper and Laramie have worried health officials that some residents may not be taking social-distancing seriously .
Gordon announced Wednesday that starting Monday , he would allow outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people — a big expansion from the previous limit of 25 and one that would allow the smallest rodeos to take place .
“ It ’ s time we had the chance to enjoy summer , ” Gordon said in a statement .
“ The ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good for Wyoming citizens , businesses and our communities as we enter the season.
” About 14,000 showed up for the final round of the rodeo on the last day of the event in 2019 .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Cheyenne Frontier Days, billed as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, has been canceled for the first time in its 124-year history due to the coronavirus, the city’s mayor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Event organizers decided the risk of spreading the virus was too great for the more than 140,000 people who visit the city for Frontier Days over the last two weeks in July, Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr said in an interview.
“What this pandemic means is we just can’t come together,” Orr said. “We really have to stay apart so we can come together again sooner rather than later. It’s clear that we just aren’t going to be ready for this.”
Frontier Days carried on through both world wars and the Great Depression, when tough finances prompted it to become a mostly volunteer-run event.
To this day, a small army of local volunteers runs the Western heritage festival of rodeo, music concerts, carnival rides, parades and downtown pancake breakfasts that feed thousands of people at a time.
Bars all over Cheyenne are typically standing-room-only during Frontier Days as people try line dancing and mechanical bull-riding.
The rodeo is also a big draw for top rodeo athletes. A Frontier Days belt buckle is among the sport’s most coveted prizes and the event’s payouts of more $1 million in payouts are lucrative in the rodeo circuit.
Frontier Days pumps up to $28 million into the local economy and some shops get by largely for the year on those two weeks of booming business.
Wyoming is the least-populated U.S. state, has had relatively few cases of the coronavirus and its 13 deaths as of Wednesday ranked near the bottom of U.S. states in COVID-19 deaths overall and per capita.
Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, has gradually lifted restrictions on businesses, allowing people to go to bars and dine in at restaurants. He supported last week’s reopening of Grand Teton National Park and the partial reopening of Yellowstone National Park, which for now is accessible through Wyoming but not Montana.
Tourism is Wyoming’s second-biggest industry after coal mining and other fossil-fuel extraction. But recent surges of the virus in the cities of Casper and Laramie have worried health officials that some residents may not be taking social-distancing seriously.
Gordon announced Wednesday that starting Monday, he would allow outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people — a big expansion from the previous limit of 25 and one that would allow the smallest rodeos to take place.
“It’s time we had the chance to enjoy summer,” Gordon said in a statement. “The ability to gather outdoors in larger groups will be good for Wyoming citizens, businesses and our communities as we enter the season.”
About 14,000 showed up for the final round of the rodeo on the last day of the event in 2019.
___
—
Graham reported from Denver.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-05-27--Colorado joins 22 other states in launching legal fight against Trump rollback of fuel-efficiency st

Colorado joins 22 other states in launching legal fight against Trump rollback of fuel-efficiency standards

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and counterparts in 22 other states on Wednesday filed a lawsuit aimed at killing the Trump administration ’ s rollback of fuel-efficiency standards for reducing climate-warming gases and other harmful air pollution from vehicle tailpipes .
Led by California , the states and major cities — including Denver — have asked federal judges to reverse Trump ’ s Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient Vehicle Rule , which was finalized in March and loosened requirements set under the Obama administration to make cars and light pickup trucks about 5 % more efficient each year .
Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade would emit hundreds of millions more tons of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere .
Instead of making cars that can cover 54 miles per gallon by 2025 , automakers could make cars that cover 40 mpg by 2026 .
Federal officials argue this will make new cars more affordable , encouraging more Americans to upgrade to relatively cleaner cars .
This lawsuit , filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit , contends the Trump rule violates the Clean Air Act , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Administrative Procedure Act .
“ We so depend on protecting our land , air and water for our lifestyle , ” Weiser said in a conference call Wednesday with attorneys general Xavier Becerra of California and Dana Nessel of Michigan .
“ Climate change is not a theoretical , looming challenge .
It is there today , ” Weiser said , referring to “ less natural snowpack than ever before ” and a growing burden on future generations to deal with climate change impacts .
He cited a U.S. Supreme Court case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , established EPA power to regulate pollution that causes climate change .
“ It is the job of the courts to get the EPA on track , ” Weiser said .
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock , in a prepared statement , noted that vehicle emissions are a top contributor to air pollution over the city and are fueling climate change — causing harm to the public ’ s health and prosperity .
“ If these rules are rolled back , the Trump administration will negate the progress that has happened across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in history , ” Hancock said .
“ We are past due for our country taking more meaningful action , which is why Denver joined this important lawsuit.
” In 2010 , EPA officials , state leaders and automakers began working to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases and other pollution from passenger cars and light trucks made after 2017 .
Automakers have been working to meet these standards .
Since 2018 , Trump administration officials have been saying the standards are inappropriate and no longer feasible .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Democratic governors challenging rollbacks under the Trump administration ’ s EPA that leave states more on their own to deal with climate and health threats .
Colorado public health officials have been trying to carry out an order by state lawmakers to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollution from about 125 million tons a year to around 62 million tons by 2030 and 13 million tons by 2050 .
EPA rollbacks include weakening of protection for waterways and wetlands , rejecting a tougher limit on soot , and reducing control over mercury pollution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said the environment is cleaner than it was in the past and that they are ending what they call Obama-era regulatory overreach in order to increase economic growth .
In addition to Colorado , California and Michigan , the states participating in the lawsuit include Connecticut , Delaware , Hawaii , Illinois , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Minnesota , Nevada , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , North Carolina , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Vermont , Virginia , Washington and Wisconsin , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is joined by the cities of Los Angeles , New York and San Francisco .

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and counterparts in 22 other states on Wednesday filed a lawsuit aimed at killing the Trump administration’s rollback of fuel-efficiency standards for reducing climate-warming gases and other harmful air pollution from vehicle tailpipes.
Led by California, the states and major cities — including Denver — have asked federal judges to reverse Trump’s Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient Vehicle Rule, which was finalized in March and loosened requirements set under the Obama administration to make cars and light pickup trucks about 5% more efficient each year.
Trump’s rule means vehicles over the next decade would emit hundreds of millions more tons of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Instead of making cars that can cover 54 miles per gallon by 2025, automakers could make cars that cover 40 mpg by 2026.
Federal officials argue this will make new cars more affordable, encouraging more Americans to upgrade to relatively cleaner cars.
This lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, contends the Trump rule violates the Clean Air Act, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
“We so depend on protecting our land, air and water for our lifestyle,” Weiser said in a conference call Wednesday with attorneys general Xavier Becerra of California and Dana Nessel of Michigan.
“Climate change is not a theoretical, looming challenge. It is there today,” Weiser said, referring to “less natural snowpack than ever before” and a growing burden on future generations to deal with climate change impacts.
He cited a U.S. Supreme Court case that, more than a decade ago, established EPA power to regulate pollution that causes climate change.
“It is the job of the courts to get the EPA on track,” Weiser said.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, in a prepared statement, noted that vehicle emissions are a top contributor to air pollution over the city and are fueling climate change — causing harm to the public’s health and prosperity.
“If these rules are rolled back, the Trump administration will negate the progress that has happened across the country in these areas during a critical point in history,” Hancock said. “We are past due for our country taking more meaningful action, which is why Denver joined this important lawsuit.”
In 2010, EPA officials, state leaders and automakers began working to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases and other pollution from passenger cars and light trucks made after 2017. Automakers have been working to meet these standards. Since 2018, Trump administration officials have been saying the standards are inappropriate and no longer feasible.
The lawsuit is the latest by states led by Democratic governors challenging rollbacks under the Trump administration’s EPA that leave states more on their own to deal with climate and health threats.
Colorado public health officials have been trying to carry out an order by state lawmakers to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollution from about 125 million tons a year to around 62 million tons by 2030 and 13 million tons by 2050.
EPA rollbacks include weakening of protection for waterways and wetlands, rejecting a tougher limit on soot, and reducing control over mercury pollution from power plants. Trump administration officials have said the environment is cleaner than it was in the past and that they are ending what they call Obama-era regulatory overreach in order to increase economic growth.
In addition to Colorado, California and Michigan, the states participating in the lawsuit include Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia. Denver is joined by the cities of Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.


thedenverpost--2020-05-27--John Hickenlooper must testify in ethics hearing, commission rules

John Hickenlooper must testify in his ethics trial , even if it takes place remotely , Colorado ’ s Independent Ethics Commission ruled Wednesday .
The former Colorado governor and current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate threatened last week not to show up to the hearing if it isn ’ t held in person , citing issues of due process .
A dark-money group called the Public Trust Institute accused Hickenlooper in 2018 of violating Amendment 41 of the state Constitution , which prohibits state employees and officials from accepting gifts worth more than $ 53 per year .
The Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusation and is led by Frank McNulty , a Republican former Colorado House speaker .
The Public Trust Institute filed a motion Tuesday objecting to written testimony but stating it would be open to waiting for an in-person hearing .
The hearing is still scheduled to be held via video June 4 , but if Hickenlooper and McNulty ’ s group both submit a detailed agreement by Thursday afternoon for a delayed in-person hearing — not before August — then the commission would consider a change , according to the order .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing untenable , the order stated , the hearing will take place remotely with no consideration of an extension .
“ We are pleased the Commission has finally accepted the fact that both Governor Hickenlooper and the group behind the complaints believe that a remote hearing violates Governor Hickenlooper ’ s due process rights and that both parties believe this hearing should occur when it is safe to do so fully in person , ” said Hickenlooper campaign spokesperson Melissa Miller .
“ We look forward to working with PTI to schedule a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person , as he has long wanted to do.
” However , attorney Suzanne Staiert , who is representing PTI , said Wednesday that she ’ s not sure the two parties can come to an agreement .
“ We came up with an agreement with them for this hearing and they just pulled it all , ” Staiert said , adding that she was blindsided by the campaign ’ s announcement last week .
Although Wednesday ’ s order stated Hickenlooper ’ s prior agreement to testify was binding , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show up , leaving PTI to subpoena him .
Now , Staiert said the group is looking at whether it ’ s viable to file for a subpoena and serve the candidate before the hearing currently scheduled for next week .
Hickenlooper is the presumed front-runner in the June 30 Democratic U.S. Senate primary vs. former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff .
The ethics investigation involves flights the former governor took his last year in office .

John Hickenlooper must testify in his ethics trial, even if it takes place remotely, Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission ruled Wednesday.
The former Colorado governor and current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate threatened last week not to show up to the hearing if it isn’t held in person, citing issues of due process.
A dark-money group called the Public Trust Institute accused Hickenlooper in 2018 of violating Amendment 41 of the state Constitution, which prohibits state employees and officials from accepting gifts worth more than $53 per year. The Public Trust Institute was formed just before the accusation and is led by Frank McNulty, a Republican former Colorado House speaker.
The Public Trust Institute filed a motion Tuesday objecting to written testimony but stating it would be open to waiting for an in-person hearing.
The hearing is still scheduled to be held via video June 4, but if Hickenlooper and McNulty’s group both submit a detailed agreement by Thursday afternoon for a delayed in-person hearing — not before August — then the commission would consider a change, according to the order. If the pandemic continues, making an in-person hearing untenable, the order stated, the hearing will take place remotely with no consideration of an extension.
Attorney Suzanne Staiert, who is representing PTI, said Wednesday that she’s not sure the two parties can come to an agreement.
“We came up with an agreement with them for this hearing and they just pulled it all,” Staiert said, adding that she was blindsided by the campaign’s announcement last week.
Although Wednesday’s order stated Hickenlooper’s prior agreement to testify was binding, it also said it was his prerogative not to show up, leaving PTI to subpoena him. Now, Staiert said the group is looking at whether it’s viable to file for a subpoena and serve the candidate before the hearing currently scheduled for next week.
“Both sides agreed that a hearing like this would be unfair and violates due process,” said Mark Grueskin, Hickenlooper’s attorney, in a statement. “I was shocked that PTI would opt for a hearing it knows won’t work. They wouldn’t even try to find a date that would work.”
Hickenlooper is the presumed front-runner in the June 30 Democratic U.S. Senate primary vs. former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff. The ethics investigation involves flights the former governor took his last year in office.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Denver weather: Warm with chance for thunderstorms

Denver is expected to be warm with a chance for afternoon thunderstorms on Thursday , and through the weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ a high temperature in the upper 70s today , the National Weather Service in Boulder @ @ @ @ @ also a 20 percent chance for thunderstorms in the city .
That general forecast extends @ @ @ @ @ with storms most likely toward the foothills .
On Friday , the expected high temperature @ @ @ @ @ , where it will stay through the weekend .
Thunderstorms are possible each day in @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , temperatures could inch up into the low 90s .

Denver is expected to be warm with a chance for afternoon thunderstorms on Thursday, and through the weekend.
The metro area will have a high temperature in the upper 70s today, the National Weather Service in Boulder predicts. There’s also a 20 percent chance for thunderstorms in the city.
That general forecast extends out into eastern Colorado, with storms most likely toward the foothills.
On Friday, the expected high temperature jumps into the upper 80s, where it will stay through the weekend. Thunderstorms are possible each day in the afternoon and evenings.
On Monday, temperatures could inch up into the low 90s.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Summer camp chaos: Organizers try to get plans in place for June 1 openings

Gov .
Jared Polis announced earlier this week that summer camps could open under certain guidelines , leaving camps who choose to host children just a few weeks to adapt .
For Angie Peluse , who operates Galileo of Denver-Stapleton , waiting on the governor ’ s order would have been too late .
Galileo , an academic-focused camp , usually runs on a Denver Public Schools campus , but in late April the school system announced its buildings would close for the summer .
Peluse thought her camp would be canceled but then found space at Clayton Early Learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since Galileo was licensed as a child care , she was able to forge ahead with a plan .
Still , it has been a scramble .
“ I have 20 years of professional experience and this has tested my ability to operate as a professional , ” she said .
Polis announced on Monday instructions for how summer camps would operate .
The state is allowing only day camps through June and will evaluate later whether overnight camps can open in July and August .
Day camps may open June 1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandatory hand-washing upon arrival , at meals and at regular intervals during the day • Masks must be worn to and from camp • On-call nurses and PPE for staff that may come in contact with sick campers • Sick campers must be sent home and the case must be reported to public health authorities • Camps for special needs children were advised not to open .
The coronavirus pandemic threw summer camp plans into chaos .
Some camps , including Summer Safari at Denver Zoo , chose to cancel because the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full experience .
Some went virtual .
And many parents withdrew students out of fear of spreading the virus and others simply couldn ’ t afford the fees because of lost wages .
In just a few weeks , Peluse has hired staff , paid movers to rearrange Clayton ’ s classrooms to suit camp needs , altered cirriculum to meet health guidelines and figured out a budget so the camp can operate at cost .
“ We didn ’ t have to wait until three days ago , ” she said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did , we definitely wouldn ’ t be open .
There ’ s just no way you can get up and running.
” Amy Anderson , executive director of RESCHOOL , a Denver non-profit focused on educational resources , said a lot of camps won ’ t have time to prepare before the June 1 start date .
She believes more options will become available in late June and early July as camp organizers figure out how to operate under the guidelines .
And the ability to host groups of 25 outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open .
“ I feel for people who do overnight and residential camps because they have to wait a few more weeks , ” Anderson said .
“ It ’ s a very difficult year.
” Camps provide child care for thousands of children each summer , and the camps choosing to open are trying to fill the void .
Peluse believes she will be able to accommodate 900 campers over the summer .
She ’ s hiring extra staff so there are enough adults working with the separated groups , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another adult becomes ill. “ There ’ s just not enough options for child care this summer , ” Peluse said .
To that end , RESCHOOL has organized an online guide to summer activities that are available and affordable at https : //blueprint4.com/co/ .
The organization also offers financial support to families and to educational camps .

Gov. Jared Polis announced earlier this week that summer camps could open under certain guidelines, leaving camps who choose to host children just a few weeks to adapt.
For Angie Peluse, who operates Galileo of Denver-Stapleton, waiting on the governor’s order would have been too late. Galileo, an academic-focused camp, usually runs on a Denver Public Schools campus, but in late April the school system announced its buildings would close for the summer. Peluse thought her camp would be canceled but then found space at Clayton Early Learning on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Since Galileo was licensed as a child care, she was able to forge ahead with a plan. Still, it has been a scramble.
“I have 20 years of professional experience and this has tested my ability to operate as a professional,” she said.
Polis announced on Monday instructions for how summer camps would operate. The state is allowing only day camps through June and will evaluate later whether overnight camps can open in July and August. Day camps may open June 1. Other guidelines for camps include:
Maximum groups of 25 outdoors
Maximum groups of 10 indoors
6-foot physical distancing
Mandatory hand-washing upon arrival, at meals and at regular intervals during the day
Masks must be worn to and from camp
On-call nurses and PPE for staff that may come in contact with sick campers
Health screenings for staff and campers
Sick campers must be sent home and the case must be reported to public health authorities
Camps for special needs children were advised not to open.
The coronavirus pandemic threw summer camp plans into chaos. Some camps, including Summer Safari at Denver Zoo, chose to cancel because the health guidelines would prevent campers from having the full experience. Some went virtual. And many parents withdrew students out of fear of spreading the virus and others simply couldn’t afford the fees because of lost wages.
In just a few weeks, Peluse has hired staff, paid movers to rearrange Clayton’s classrooms to suit camp needs, altered cirriculum to meet health guidelines and figured out a budget so the camp can operate at cost.
“We didn’t have to wait until three days ago,” she said of re-organizing for the summer. “If we did, we definitely wouldn’t be open. There’s just no way you can get up and running.”
Amy Anderson, executive director of RESCHOOL, a Denver non-profit focused on educational resources, said a lot of camps won’t have time to prepare before the June 1 start date. She believes more options will become available in late June and early July as camp organizers figure out how to operate under the guidelines. And the ability to host groups of 25 outside opened the door for more summer camps to open.
“I feel for people who do overnight and residential camps because they have to wait a few more weeks,” Anderson said. “It’s a very difficult year.”
Camps provide child care for thousands of children each summer, and the camps choosing to open are trying to fill the void. Peluse believes she will be able to accommodate 900 campers over the summer. She’s hiring extra staff so there are enough adults working with the separated groups, and those hires include substitute instructors in case another adult becomes ill.
“There’s just not enough options for child care this summer,” Peluse said.
To that end, RESCHOOL has organized an online guide to summer activities that are available and affordable at https://blueprint4.com/co/. The organization also offers financial support to families and to educational camps.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Did you see the huge rainbow over Denver?

The way 2020 ’ s started so far , maybe the big rainbow on Wednesday night might ’ ve been a nice indicator that better luck lies ahead .
A huge , end-to-end rainbow filled the skies over Denver on Wednesday night , creating a dazzling display of color and lighting up social media in the process as well .
In case you missed it , here ’ s what it looked like around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night : A series of showers and weak storms moved through the Denver area on Wednesday evening , putting down a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storms were generally located just east and south of downtown Denver , they were opposite the setting sun , creating ripe conditions for a full rainbow like the one that illuminated Denver skies on Wednesday night .
Usually , the best rainbows around the Denver area ( and for most places ) will come just before or during sunset with a shower or thunderstorm ( often , but not always a weaker one ) located just east of the city .
From your vantage point , you ’ ll be looking east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun ’ s lower angle during the evening will best be able to refract , or scatter , and reflect enough light against the raindrops , and emit it as the wide array of colors from the rainbow .
When the white-ish light of the sun moves against a raindrop , the drop ’ s circular and reflective nature will change the wave length and direction of the light .
That , in turn , ultimately changes the color of the droplet from your perspective on the ground : red , violet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and orange .
It usually will take a fairly unique combination of atmospheric conditions to create a rainbow like the one Denver saw on Wednesday .
Fortunately , the timing and location of the showers and storms worked out just perfectly for Mother Nature to put on a stunningly colorful display .

The way 2020’s started so far, maybe the big rainbow on Wednesday night might’ve been a nice indicator that better luck lies ahead.
A huge, end-to-end rainbow filled the skies over Denver on Wednesday night, creating a dazzling display of color and lighting up social media in the process as well.
In case you missed it, here’s what it looked like around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night:
A series of showers and weak storms moved through the Denver area on Wednesday evening, putting down a few downpours across the area. But because the storms were generally located just east and south of downtown Denver, they were opposite the setting sun, creating ripe conditions for a full rainbow like the one that illuminated Denver skies on Wednesday night.
Usually, the best rainbows around the Denver area (and for most places) will come just before or during sunset with a shower or thunderstorm (often, but not always a weaker one) located just east of the city.
From your vantage point, you’ll be looking east at the shower or storm. The sun’s lower angle during the evening will best be able to refract, or scatter, and reflect enough light against the raindrops, and emit it as the wide array of colors from the rainbow.
When the white-ish light of the sun moves against a raindrop, the drop’s circular and reflective nature will change the wave length and direction of the light. That, in turn, ultimately changes the color of the droplet from your perspective on the ground: red, violet, blue, green, yellow, purple and orange.
It usually will take a fairly unique combination of atmospheric conditions to create a rainbow like the one Denver saw on Wednesday. Fortunately, the timing and location of the showers and storms worked out just perfectly for Mother Nature to put on a stunningly colorful display.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Colorado’s juvenile prisons have avoided COVID-19 outbreaks, but advocates worry about the future

The teen only gets to see his 8-month-old daughter over FaceTime these days .
Charged with a violent offense , the 17-year-old has been in Greeley ’ s Platte Valley Youth Services Center since March as he awaits his next court date .
But with the facility locked down to guard against the novel coronavirus , virtual visits are the best he can do .
Schoolwork consists of packets — with little outside help , he alleged .
Cloth masks were initially handed out , but they were taken away after staff realized they could be used for self-harm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has tested positive for COVID-19 , he said .
( Colorado ’ s Division of Youth Services would not confirm ) .
“ I feel like some people ’ s hearts are in the right place , ” the teen said about public perception of juveniles in detention .
The Denver Post is not identifying him because he is a juvenile and has not been convicted .
“ But for others , we ’ re criminals , and it don ’ t matter what happens to us .
We ’ re here now.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic has disrupted their education , socializing and everyday life .
So what happens inside youth detention facilities , where there ’ s simply nowhere to go ?
Colorado ’ s Division of Youth Services is attempting to walk a fine line between avoiding the dangers of isolating youth , while maintaining safe procedures to prevent outbreaks at 11 facilities around the state .
While the virus is much more dangerous in older adults , teens on rare occasions have been gravely impacted , and public health experts say COVID-19 can spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
Two youth and seven staff members working at state facilities have contracted the new coronavirus as teen offenders still eat together and some still go to class .
Adequate testing has been slow to reach youth facilities , while medical masks only recently became available for teens .
Meanwhile , the state and some local school districts are engaged in a standoff over sending teachers into detention center classrooms .
Colorado has been one of the nationwide leaders in reducing its juvenile offender population by nearly 30 % since the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue the population is still too high .
And as detention centers around the country have suffered widespread outbreaks , some worry that despite precautionary measures , the Centennial State could be next .
“ In juvenile facilities , jails and prisons across the country , we have seen that waiting to take action until you have an outbreak means you have waited too long , ” said Elise Logemann , juvenile justice policy counsel for the ACLU of Colorado .
“ DYS is an incubation hotbed for COVID-19.
” Leadership with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and statements , said the department is following all the recommended measures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state ’ s public health department , has enacted a “ robust list of prevention steps ” and is coordinating with local health departments on latest guidance .
“ We understand and empathize with the family members and other stakeholders that may be concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , in a child/family member who resides in a youth center and how this virus may impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Colorado Department of Humans Services , said in an email .
“ Ensuring youth are cared for in a safe and healthy environment continues to be the Division of Youth Services ’ greatest concern and our number one priority.
” On April 11 , Gov .
Jared Polis became one of only a few of governors in the country to issue an executive order on coronavirus prevention at juvenile corrections facilities , urging the Division of Youth Services to release nonviolent offenders who do not pose a threat to the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new youth into the facilities .
As a result , the number of detained youth ( those who are still pre-trial or waiting to be sentenced ) has dropped to 168 from 260 — a 35 % decrease since March 1 .
The committed youth population ( those who already have been sentenced ) has fallen to 265 from 340 — a 22 % decrease during the same time frame , according to state data .
Most youth within 90 days of their parole dates were released , Anders Jacobson , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in an interview .
Other individuals who committed misdemeanor property crimes also were released , and staff is currently looking at letting go some who committed felony property crimes .
“ However , we ’ re not willing to entertain any aggravated or violent juvenile offenders , ” Jacobson said .
Arnold Hanuman , deputy director for the Colorado District Attorneys ’ Council , said his organization was pleased with this “ measured approach.
” “ I haven ’ t heard a justification to go beyond what they ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , said the 30 % reduction is a good start — but it needs to go further .
One of the problems is that some youth who are releasable simply have no safe place to return to , said Chris Henderson , executive director of the Office of the Child ’ s Representative .
Nationally , the coronavirus pandemic has led to a historic decrease in juvenile detentions .
A survey of juvenile justice agencies in 30 states by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that the number of youth in secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March — a reduction equal to the national decline for all of 2010 to 2017 , the organization found .
For those still in detention or commitment facilities , education continues .
But how they ’ re getting it depends on where they ’ re living .
Polis ’ s executive order exempted these facilities from remote learning , so all youth on the commitment side are still taking in-person classes — albeit with restrictions on how many teens can be in a classroom at any given time .
The detention side , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s eight detention facilities , only Adams Youth Services Center in Brighton and Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Greeley have teachers coming into the facilities , the Division of Youth Services said .
Local school districts provide the teachers for juvenile facilities in Colorado and some have decided that they aren ’ t willing to send their educators into these centers during the pandemic — despite the governor ’ s order .
A spokesman for Pueblo City Schools , for one , noted that the district ’ s staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older and at higher risk for infection .
“ We took into consideration that staff at that school is an older staff — they do have some health complications — and their health and safety is our priority , ” said Dalton Sprouse , spokesman for Pueblo City Schools .
“ We weren ’ t willing to put them at risk.
” Leaders at the Cherry Creek School District , which provides education for the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial , also decided that when their schools moved to remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the detention center rather than continue to send teachers into the facility .
Pueblo has been working with the state to get Chromebooks and laptops into the Pueblo Youth Services Center since last July , Smith said , but right now the detained youth are getting the same paper packets as other children in the school district .
The lack of compliance has frustrated youth services officials .
When Polis signed the executive order , all principals serving youth centers were notified of the order and the negotiations , Conor Cahill , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The division has had conversations with the governor ’ s office , ( Colorado Department of Education ) and the attorney general ’ s office in an effort to problem-solve and ensure compliance with the law and associated order , ” Ruble , the Department of Human Services spokeswoman , said in a statement .
“ The detention education within youth centers is not based on a contract ; rather , it is based on partnership and the expectation in statute and the executive order .
Therefore , the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recourse.
” David Domenici , executive director for the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings , said there ’ s no perfect way to be educating youth inside locked facilities during these times , but that a mix of in-person help and virtual education can be done .
Teachers in the high-risk category for COVID-19 should avoid coming in , he said , but if there are good safety and health protocols in place at different facilities , in-person education is a world better than isolating youth for 20 hours a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 case among youth inside a Colorado juvenile facility , two offenders recently were confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus — though the Division of Youth Services will not say where they are being held .
Neither individual got sick within the youth centers , the department said .
One youth has remained in medical quarantine since they entered the facility , while another was in medical isolation before being released a day later .
The state didn ’ t have a positive test among youth until May , but only some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until recently .
Last week , all staff and youth inside the Platte Valley center were tested , with 182 of the 185 tests coming back negative , Ruble said .
Two results were pending and another needed to be retested .
Jacobson cited a lack of available tests for the reason that so few youth had been tested .
Meanwhile , seven staff members have contracted COVID-19 since the pandemic began , according to department data .
The Division of Youth Services refused to provide The Post a list of where these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
First Amendment attorneys representing The Post argued in a letter to the state that those regulations should not be relevant to these records .
Masks also took many weeks to become available to youth .
Originally , the department handed out cloth masks , but these were then taken away after staff realized the ties that went around the head could be used for self-harm , Ruble said .
The 17-year-old in Platte Valley said he watched one youth in his pod pull the metal out from inside the mask .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical masks to hand out , Ruble said .
While Colorado has not seen a major outbreak inside its youth facilities , experts have warned these types of buildings are ripe for the virus to spread .
At least 488 youth and 580 staff at juvenile facilities across the U.S. have tested positive for COVID-19 , though that number is likely much higher since some states do not report data , according to the Sentencing Project , a national nonprofit organization .
These includes outbreaks at facilities in Louisiana , which led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility outside Richmond , Virginia , 26 inmates and seven staff members contracted the virus , leading the corrections center to stop visitation , suspend schooling , end counseling and lock some teens in their cells 23 hours a day to stem the outbreak .
“ These places are petri dishes for coronavirus , ” said Vidhya Ananthakrishnan , director of youth justice at the Columbia Justice Lab in New York .
Stephanie Villafuerte , Colorado ’ s child protection ombudsman , said it ’ s easy for those inside youth detention centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These are the most hidden kids in our community , ” she said .
“ And because they are literally hidden from community view , they are literally at the most risk.
” The teen inside Platte Valley said some of those inside talk about the virus , while others don ’ t seem to care .
Still , if more kids start getting sick , he said , “ it puts us all in danger , you know ?
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to @ @ @

The teen only gets to see his 8-month-old daughter over FaceTime these days. Charged with a violent offense, the 17-year-old has been in Greeley’s Platte Valley Youth Services Center since March as he awaits his next court date. But with the facility locked down to guard against the novel coronavirus, virtual visits are the best he can do.
Schoolwork consists of packets — with little outside help, he alleged. Cloth masks were initially handed out, but they were taken away after staff realized they could be used for self-harm.
At least one youth in the facility has tested positive for COVID-19, he said. (Colorado’s Division of Youth Services would not confirm).
“I feel like some people’s hearts are in the right place,” the teen said about public perception of juveniles in detention. The Denver Post is not identifying him because he is a juvenile and has not been convicted. “But for others, we’re criminals, and it don’t matter what happens to us. We’re here now.”
For teens across Colorado, the global pandemic has disrupted their education, socializing and everyday life. So what happens inside youth detention facilities, where there’s simply nowhere to go?
Colorado’s Division of Youth Services is attempting to walk a fine line between avoiding the dangers of isolating youth, while maintaining safe procedures to prevent outbreaks at 11 facilities around the state. While the virus is much more dangerous in older adults, teens on rare occasions have been gravely impacted, and public health experts say COVID-19 can spread easily in that population without people showing symptoms.
Two youth and seven staff members working at state facilities have contracted the new coronavirus as teen offenders still eat together and some still go to class. Adequate testing has been slow to reach youth facilities, while medical masks only recently became available for teens. Meanwhile, the state and some local school districts are engaged in a standoff over sending teachers into detention center classrooms.
Colorado has been one of the nationwide leaders in reducing its juvenile offender population by nearly 30% since the health crisis began, though juvenile justice advocates argue the population is still too high. And as detention centers around the country have suffered widespread outbreaks, some worry that despite precautionary measures, the Centennial State could be next.
“In juvenile facilities, jails and prisons across the country, we have seen that waiting to take action until you have an outbreak means you have waited too long,” said Elise Logemann, juvenile justice policy counsel for the ACLU of Colorado. “DYS is an incubation hotbed for COVID-19.”
Leadership with the Division of Youth Services, in interviews and statements, said the department is following all the recommended measures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state’s public health department, has enacted a “robust list of prevention steps” and is coordinating with local health departments on latest guidance.
“We understand and empathize with the family members and other stakeholders that may be concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in a child/family member who resides in a youth center and how this virus may impact them,” Madlynn Ruble, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Humans Services, said in an email. “Ensuring youth are cared for in a safe and healthy environment continues to be the Division of Youth Services’ greatest concern and our number one priority.”
Reducing population
On April 11, Gov. Jared Polis became one of only a few of governors in the country to issue an executive order on coronavirus prevention at juvenile corrections facilities, urging the Division of Youth Services to release nonviolent offenders who do not pose a threat to the community, as well as reduce the intake of new youth into the facilities.
As a result, the number of detained youth (those who are still pre-trial or waiting to be sentenced) has dropped to 168 from 260 — a 35% decrease since March 1. The committed youth population (those who already have been sentenced) has fallen to 265 from 340 — a 22% decrease during the same time frame, according to state data.
Most youth within 90 days of their parole dates were released, Anders Jacobson, director of the Division of the Youth Services, said in an interview. Other individuals who committed misdemeanor property crimes also were released, and staff is currently looking at letting go some who committed felony property crimes.
“However, we’re not willing to entertain any aggravated or violent juvenile offenders,” Jacobson said.
Arnold Hanuman, deputy director for the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, said his organization was pleased with this “measured approach.”
“I haven’t heard a justification to go beyond what they’ve done,” he said.
Advocates, however, said the 30% reduction is a good start — but it needs to go further.
One of the problems is that some youth who are releasable simply have no safe place to return to, said Chris Henderson, executive director of the Office of the Child’s Representative.
Nationally, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a historic decrease in juvenile detentions.
A survey of juvenile justice agencies in 30 states by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that the number of youth in secure detention centers fell by 24% in March — a reduction equal to the national decline for all of 2010 to 2017, the organization found.
Education standoff
For those still in detention or commitment facilities, education continues. But how they’re getting it depends on where they’re living.
Polis’s executive order exempted these facilities from remote learning, so all youth on the commitment side are still taking in-person classes — albeit with restrictions on how many teens can be in a classroom at any given time.
The detention side, however, is more contentious. Of the state’s eight detention facilities, only Adams Youth Services Center in Brighton and Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Greeley have teachers coming into the facilities, the Division of Youth Services said.
Local school districts provide the teachers for juvenile facilities in Colorado and some have decided that they aren’t willing to send their educators into these centers during the pandemic — despite the governor’s order.
A spokesman for Pueblo City Schools, for one, noted that the district’s staff at the Pueblo Youth Services Center is older and at higher risk for infection.
“We took into consideration that staff at that school is an older staff — they do have some health complications — and their health and safety is our priority,” said Dalton Sprouse, spokesman for Pueblo City Schools. “We weren’t willing to put them at risk.”
Leaders at the Cherry Creek School District, which provides education for the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial, also decided that when their schools moved to remote learning this spring, that would include the detention center rather than continue to send teachers into the facility.
Pueblo has been working with the state to get Chromebooks and laptops into the Pueblo Youth Services Center since last July, Smith said, but right now the detained youth are getting the same paper packets as other children in the school district.
The lack of compliance has frustrated youth services officials. When Polis signed the executive order, all principals serving youth centers were notified of the order and the negotiations, Conor Cahill, a Polis spokesman, said in an email.
“The division has had conversations with the governor’s office, (Colorado Department of Education) and the attorney general’s office in an effort to problem-solve and ensure compliance with the law and associated order,” Ruble, the Department of Human Services spokeswoman, said in a statement. “The detention education within youth centers is not based on a contract; rather, it is based on partnership and the expectation in statute and the executive order. Therefore, the Department of Human Services has no current avenue of recourse.”
David Domenici, executive director for the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings, said there’s no perfect way to be educating youth inside locked facilities during these times, but that a mix of in-person help and virtual education can be done. Teachers in the high-risk category for COVID-19 should avoid coming in, he said, but if there are good safety and health protocols in place at different facilities, in-person education is a world better than isolating youth for 20 hours a day.
Testing, cases and masks
After two months without a positive COVID-19 case among youth inside a Colorado juvenile facility, two offenders recently were confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus — though the Division of Youth Services will not say where they are being held. Neither individual got sick within the youth centers, the department said. One youth has remained in medical quarantine since they entered the facility, while another was in medical isolation before being released a day later.
The state didn’t have a positive test among youth until May, but only some two dozen individuals had been formally tested until recently. Last week, all staff and youth inside the Platte Valley center were tested, with 182 of the 185 tests coming back negative, Ruble said. Two results were pending and another needed to be retested.
Jacobson cited a lack of available tests for the reason that so few youth had been tested.
Meanwhile, seven staff members have contracted COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to department data. The Division of Youth Services refused to provide The Post a list of where these employees worked, citing federal medical-privacy regulations. First Amendment attorneys representing The Post argued in a letter to the state that those regulations should not be relevant to these records.
Masks also took many weeks to become available to youth. Originally, the department handed out cloth masks, but these were then taken away after staff realized the ties that went around the head could be used for self-harm, Ruble said. The 17-year-old in Platte Valley said he watched one youth in his pod pull the metal out from inside the mask.
Two weeks ago, the department received 40,000 medical masks to hand out, Ruble said.
While Colorado has not seen a major outbreak inside its youth facilities, experts have warned these types of buildings are ripe for the virus to spread.
At least 488 youth and 580 staff at juvenile facilities across the U.S. have tested positive for COVID-19, though that number is likely much higher since some states do not report data, according to the Sentencing Project, a national nonprofit organization.
These includes outbreaks at facilities in Louisiana, which led to mass escapes and riots. In a facility outside Richmond, Virginia, 26 inmates and seven staff members contracted the virus, leading the corrections center to stop visitation, suspend schooling, end counseling and lock some teens in their cells 23 hours a day to stem the outbreak.
“These places are petri dishes for coronavirus,” said Vidhya Ananthakrishnan, director of youth justice at the Columbia Justice Lab in New York.
Stephanie Villafuerte, Colorado’s child protection ombudsman, said it’s easy for those inside youth detention centers to get lost in the shuffle.
“These are the most hidden kids in our community,” she said. “And because they are literally hidden from community view, they are literally at the most risk.”
The teen inside Platte Valley said some of those inside talk about the virus, while others don’t seem to care. Still, if more kids start getting sick, he said, “it puts us all in danger, you know?”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Estes Park banks on this week’s reopening of Rocky Mountain National Park

ESTES PARK — The wisdom on the street in this tourist mecca is that the true unofficial start to summer 2020 won ’ t be the Memorial Day holiday just passed but , rather , the weekend straight ahead .
“ This coming weekend will be busier , ” Amy Hamrick , owner of Kind Coffee on East Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park , said this week as she got ready to let customers order drinks inside her shop for the first time since the coronavirus began raging through Colorado in March .
The singular reason for that one-week shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles northwest of Denver ?
The re-opening of Rocky Mountain National Park , which saw visitors Wednesday for the first time since the park was closed more than two months ago in response to the pandemic .
In 2019 , a record 4.6 million people visited the park , which features majestic peaks and an abundance of wildlife .
“ For us , it ’ s the key to Estes Park , ” said Pat Murphy , who owns Murphy ’ s River Lodge and Murphy ’ s Resort , which have nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For Rocky Mountain National Park to be opening — that ’ s the draw.
” Kyle Patterson , spokeswoman for the 105-year-old park that covers more than 400 square miles in Boulder , Larimer and Grand counties , said lines of cars formed at all three of the park ’ s entrances as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday .
It never got chaotic , though , she said .
“ We ’ ve not had to meter any cars today ; we ’ ve not had to turn anyone away , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really excited and really eager to come back to their national park.
” But that doesn ’ t mean the experience was the same that people are used to .
Visitor centers remain closed , the Hiker Shuttle from Estes Park is not running , and masks are required for anyone riding on shuttle buses inside the park .
“ Park operations and services will be much different this year , ” Patterson said .
Starting at 8 a.m. Thursday , visitors can start making reservations at recreation.gov for a timed entry permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rocky Mountain National Park beginning June 4 .
But that traffic-control measure won ’ t be in place this weekend , when Patterson said there is the possibility that cars could be turned away at the gates if crowds descend on the park .
“ Our expectation is that we would have significantly higher visitation this weekend than today , ” she said Wednesday , noting the nice weather forecast ahead .
She advised visitors to follow the park ’ s Twitter account for any announcements about entry issues .
Meanwhile , Estes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadside economic hit the coronavirus delivered to this tourist-dependent town as both local and state health orders were handed down that closed many shops , restaurants and accommodations throughout Colorado .
Ben Ferguson , who owns the downtown Hyk mountain apparel shop with his wife , said he expects a 60 % drop in business this summer as people gradually get used to traveling and being around others again .
Hyk had to close for about six weeks beginning in March , and Ferguson picked up some construction work to make ends meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs for Instacart .
He said he mostly supports what the town has done to manage the health crisis but he felt an ordinance that town leaders passed requiring the use of face masks not only inside shops , but also outside in the downtown shopping district , went too far .
Ferguson and other opponents of that measure got a reprieve Tuesday night when the Estes Park board of trustees voted 4-3 to strike it down .
The town will now follow Larimer County rules that only require use of face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even a little more leeway inside his Fall River Antiques , Jewelry and Coins store on East Elkhorn Avenue .
He has installed hanging plexiglass dividers over his jewelry displays in hopes town officials will allow him and a customer to remove their masks in order to negotiate a sale of a rare gemstone or vintage necklace .
“ In this business , when you ’ re looking at a diamond ring , it ’ s a lot about trust , ” he said .
“ I ’ m big on common sense.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Estes Chamber of Commerce , said the town is doing what it can to open things back up safely .
She said no businesses have had to permanently shut as a result of the pandemic but that many are barely getting by .
“ This could the weekend we turn the corner and show we ’ re going to have the momentum that will take us through the summer , ” she said .
“ The next few months carry the year for a lot of our businesses.
” More than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer , including Bigfoot Days , Jazz Fest and the Rooftop Rodeo .
Town leaders are looking at various ways to help , from opening up more sidewalk and street space for restaurant seating to providing money to businesses that couldn ’ t get Small Business Administration loans .
“ The business community needs to recover , ” Carlson said .
Mayor Wendy Koenig , who took office a month ago in the midst of the pandemic following an April election , said it ’ s monumentally difficult to achieve the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t a second outbreak of COVID-19 in the town of 6,300 .
“ We don ’ t want to spike because then we have to close our doors again , ” she said .
Estes Park has a disproportionately larger population of older people , she said — an age group coronavirus has not been kind to .
“ I want to support the businesses , but I also need to support the people who are not in business , ” Koenig said .
“ So there are a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest of those balls is lodging .
There are 62 hotels in the Estes Valley and around 800 vacation homes , which have been closed until this week .
“ We ’ re way behind last year as far as bookings , ” said Murphy , the hotel owner who also oversees a half dozen vacation home in Estes Valley .
“ We ’ ve done a tremendous number of refunds during the shutdown.
” But Murphy said with the reopening of Rocky Mountain National Park this week , the light at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very dark tunnel gives him hope that not all is lost in 2020 .
“ Our phones are starting to ring , and it looks like people will be coming back , ” he said .

ESTES PARK — The wisdom on the street in this tourist mecca is that the true unofficial start to summer 2020 won’t be the Memorial Day holiday just passed but, rather, the weekend straight ahead.
“This coming weekend will be busier,” Amy Hamrick, owner of Kind Coffee on East Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park, said this week as she got ready to let customers order drinks inside her shop for the first time since the coronavirus began raging through Colorado in March.
The singular reason for that one-week shift to summertime play in this town 66 miles northwest of Denver? The re-opening of Rocky Mountain National Park, which saw visitors Wednesday for the first time since the park was closed more than two months ago in response to the pandemic.
In 2019, a record 4.6 million people visited the park, which features majestic peaks and an abundance of wildlife.
“For us, it’s the key to Estes Park,” said Pat Murphy, who owns Murphy’s River Lodge and Murphy’s Resort, which have nearly 100 rooms for rent between them. “For Rocky Mountain National Park to be opening — that’s the draw.”
Kyle Patterson, spokeswoman for the 105-year-old park that covers more than 400 square miles in Boulder, Larimer and Grand counties, said lines of cars formed at all three of the park’s entrances as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday. It never got chaotic, though, she said.
“We’ve not had to meter any cars today; we’ve not had to turn anyone away,” she said. “Visitors were just really excited and really eager to come back to their national park.”
But that doesn’t mean the experience was the same that people are used to. Visitor centers remain closed, the Hiker Shuttle from Estes Park is not running, and masks are required for anyone riding on shuttle buses inside the park.
“Park operations and services will be much different this year,” Patterson said.
Starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, visitors can start making reservations at recreation.gov for a timed entry permit, which will be required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park beginning June 4. But that traffic-control measure won’t be in place this weekend, when Patterson said there is the possibility that cars could be turned away at the gates if crowds descend on the park.
“Our expectation is that we would have significantly higher visitation this weekend than today,” she said Wednesday, noting the nice weather forecast ahead.
She advised visitors to follow the park’s Twitter account for any announcements about entry issues.
Meanwhile, Estes Park businesses continue to grapple with the broadside economic hit the coronavirus delivered to this tourist-dependent town as both local and state health orders were handed down that closed many shops, restaurants and accommodations throughout Colorado.
Ben Ferguson, who owns the downtown Hyk mountain apparel shop with his wife, said he expects a 60% drop in business this summer as people gradually get used to traveling and being around others again.
Hyk had to close for about six weeks beginning in March, and Ferguson picked up some construction work to make ends meet. His wife began doing grocery delivery runs for Instacart.
He said he mostly supports what the town has done to manage the health crisis but he felt an ordinance that town leaders passed requiring the use of face masks not only inside shops, but also outside in the downtown shopping district, went too far.
Ferguson and other opponents of that measure got a reprieve Tuesday night when the Estes Park board of trustees voted 4-3 to strike it down. The town will now follow Larimer County rules that only require use of face coverings inside businesses.
Bob Fixter would like even a little more leeway inside his Fall River Antiques, Jewelry and Coins store on East Elkhorn Avenue. He has installed hanging plexiglass dividers over his jewelry displays in hopes town officials will allow him and a customer to remove their masks in order to negotiate a sale of a rare gemstone or vintage necklace.
“In this business, when you’re looking at a diamond ring, it’s a lot about trust,” he said. “I’m big on common sense.”
Donna Carlson, executive director of the Estes Chamber of Commerce, said the town is doing what it can to open things back up safely. She said no businesses have had to permanently shut as a result of the pandemic but that many are barely getting by.
“This could the weekend we turn the corner and show we’re going to have the momentum that will take us through the summer,” she said. “The next few months carry the year for a lot of our businesses.”
More than half a dozen events have already been canceled this summer, including Bigfoot Days, Jazz Fest and the Rooftop Rodeo. Town leaders are looking at various ways to help, from opening up more sidewalk and street space for restaurant seating to providing money to businesses that couldn’t get Small Business Administration loans.
“The business community needs to recover,” Carlson said.
Mayor Wendy Koenig, who took office a month ago in the midst of the pandemic following an April election, said it’s monumentally difficult to achieve the right balance between easing restrictions and ensuring there isn’t a second outbreak of COVID-19 in the town of 6,300.
“We don’t want to spike because then we have to close our doors again,” she said.
Estes Park has a disproportionately larger population of older people, she said — an age group coronavirus has not been kind to.
“I want to support the businesses, but I also need to support the people who are not in business,” Koenig said. “So there are a lot of balls in the air.”
One of the biggest of those balls is lodging. There are 62 hotels in the Estes Valley and around 800 vacation homes, which have been closed until this week.
“We’re way behind last year as far as bookings,” said Murphy, the hotel owner who also oversees a half dozen vacation home in Estes Valley. “We’ve done a tremendous number of refunds during the shutdown.”
But Murphy said with the reopening of Rocky Mountain National Park this week, the light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel gives him hope that not all is lost in 2020.
“Our phones are starting to ring, and it looks like people will be coming back,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Gig workers in Denver accessing unemployment benefits at a high rate, survey finds

Denver ’ s gig workers are obtaining unemployment benefits at some of the highest rates in the country , according to a survey from Wonolo , an on-demand staffing service based in San Francisco .
Wonolo surveyed 3,000 gig workers in the first half of May and found that about one in four had applied for unemployment benefits , which is allowed under the CARES Act .
Only half of those who applied , however , obtained benefits .
In Denver , gig workers who filed had a 78 % success rate , the highest out of a dozen locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age variations don ’ t explain the difference , given that the 330 people surveyed in Denver were similar in age to the overall sample .
“ There must be something inherent in the way Denver/the state is approaching dispersing these benefits , ” Favola said .
The Colorado Department of Labor launched an entirely new platform to handle unemployment claims from contract workers , as well as a call center dedicated just to them .
After some initial hiccups in separating out workers who also had wage income , the platform appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results are accurate .
In a surprising twist , younger workers were more likely to cite fears about coming down with COVID-19 as a reason for not returning to work .
Nationally , about 42 % of gig workers ages 18 to 24 mentioned that concern , the highest of any age group .
Only 25 % of those 55 and older expressed being fearful , even though they faced a much higher mortality rate if infected .

Denver’s gig workers are obtaining unemployment benefits at some of the highest rates in the country, according to a survey from Wonolo, an on-demand staffing service based in San Francisco.
Wonolo surveyed 3,000 gig workers in the first half of May and found that about one in four had applied for unemployment benefits, which is allowed under the CARES Act. Only half of those who applied, however, obtained benefits. In Denver, gig workers who filed had a 78% success rate, the highest out of a dozen locations tracked.
Wonolo spokesman Jared Favole said age variations don’t explain the difference, given that the 330 people surveyed in Denver were similar in age to the overall sample.
“There must be something inherent in the way Denver/the state is approaching dispersing these benefits,” Favola said.
The Colorado Department of Labor launched an entirely new platform to handle unemployment claims from contract workers, as well as a call center dedicated just to them. After some initial hiccups in separating out workers who also had wage income, the platform appears to be working, if the survey results are accurate.
In a surprising twist, younger workers were more likely to cite fears about coming down with COVID-19 as a reason for not returning to work. Nationally, about 42% of gig workers ages 18 to 24 mentioned that concern, the highest of any age group. Only 25% of those 55 and older expressed being fearful, even though they faced a much higher mortality rate if infected.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Denver native will take over as BP America’s chairman, president starting July 1

David Lawler , a Denver native and CEO of BPX Energy , is adding the job of BP America ’ s chairman and president to his portfolio .
Lawler will become BP ’ s chief representative in the U.S. July 1 , the company announced Thursday .
He will succeed Susan Dio , who is retiring after 36 years with the company .
BPX Energy is responsible for the U.S. onshore operations of the London-based multinational company .
With 13,000 employees and $ 30 billion in investments since 2016 , BP said its economic footprint is larger in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a third of the company ’ s global revenue .
Lawler , who earned a petroleum engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines , has served as CEO of Denver-based BPX Energy since 2014 .
He led the $ 10.5 billion acquisition in 2018 of BHP Billiton ’ s U.S. shale oil and gas resources .
BPX Energy opened its headquarters in Denver ’ s Lower Highland neighborhood in 2018 .
The 52-year-old Lawler is taking the helm of BP America as the company is aiming to get to net zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyond a track record of delivering strong safety , environmental and commercial results , Dave brings an authentic and inspiring leadership style , ” BP CEO Bernard Looney said in a statement .
“ His curiosity and willingness to do things differently will be essential as we reinvent BP and reimagine energy for people and our planet.
” Company officials credit Lawler ’ s team with delivering more than $ 240 million in “ acquisition synergies ” in the first year after taking over BHP ’ s U.S. assets and with developing infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s operations in the Permian Basin .
Lawler said he ’ s honored to help BP America “ deliver the energy the world needs ” while working to become a net-zero emissions company .
Lawler , who has an MBA from Tulane University , joined BP from SandRidge Energy , a U.S.-based oil and gas independent , where he was executive vice president and chief operating officer .

David Lawler, a Denver native and CEO of BPX Energy, is adding the job of BP America’s chairman and president to his portfolio.
Lawler will become BP’s chief representative in the U.S. July 1, the company announced Thursday. He will succeed Susan Dio, who is retiring after 36 years with the company.
BPX Energy is responsible for the U.S. onshore operations of the London-based multinational company. With 13,000 employees and $30 billion in investments since 2016, BP said its economic footprint is larger in the U.S. than anywhere else. Those businesses accounted for a third of the company’s global revenue.
Lawler, who earned a petroleum engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines, has served as CEO of Denver-based BPX Energy since 2014. He led the $10.5 billion acquisition in 2018 of BHP Billiton’s U.S. shale oil and gas resources.
BPX Energy opened its headquarters in Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood in 2018. The 52-year-old Lawler is taking the helm of BP America as the company is aiming to get to net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.
“Beyond a track record of delivering strong safety, environmental and commercial results, Dave brings an authentic and inspiring leadership style,” BP CEO Bernard Looney said in a statement. “His curiosity and willingness to do things differently will be essential as we reinvent BP and reimagine energy for people and our planet.”
Company officials credit Lawler’s team with delivering more than $240 million in “acquisition synergies” in the first year after taking over BHP’s U.S. assets and with developing infrastructure to lower emissions from the company’s operations in the Permian Basin.
Lawler said he’s honored to help BP America “deliver the energy the world needs” while working to become a net-zero emissions company.
Lawler, who has an MBA from Tulane University, joined BP from SandRidge Energy, a U.S.-based oil and gas independent, where he was executive vice president and chief operating officer.


thedenverpost--2020-05-28--Oil, gas companies not alone: Mineral rights owners facing squeeze from industry downturn

Kathy Allen and her family might not be the first people who come to mind when tallying up the oil and gas industry ’ s losses , but as mineral owners they too are feeling the squeeze .
The family owns minerals in various spots across oil-rich Weld County .
Some of the tracts date back to the early 1900s .
“ A lot of them were purchased by my great-grandfather , who was an abstractor , starting in the teens , ” Allen said .
Some of the purchases were made during tax sales or when a subdivision was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her great-grandfather bought the land for the minerals underneath it .
But through the decades , royalties from companies that mined the oil and gas have helped get the family through tough economic times and provided a financial cushion .
“ My grandmother reaped the benefits of that .
My grandfather was a music teacher in the Denver schools when he died at a young age , ” Allen said .
The royalty payments helped cover expenses when Allen ’ s mother , who was diagnosed with dementia , moved into a care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600,000 mineral owners in Colorado who stand to lose out as oil and gas companies stop drilling new wells or halt production because of low prices due to low demand during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Colorado Alliance of Mineral and Royalty Owners said reports by the industry show that mineral-rights owners were paid a total of roughly a half billion dollars in 2019 .
“ While mineral and royalty owners are often thought of as large entities , the truth is that the average mineral owner in Colorado receives a monthly check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ray , president of CAMRO , said in a statement .
“ These are people who rely on this money for a variety of personal expenses , including paying for college or caring for elderly parents.
” Mineral owners could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in monthly royalty payments because of the industry ’ s “ extraordinary economic distress , ” according to CAMRO .
Royalty payments tided Allen over when she was laid off by Anadarko Petroleum in 2016 .
The money helped keep her sister , a single mother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family pay bills , college expenses and allowed Allen to donate to charities .
But she ’ s concerned the widespread layoffs in the oil and gas industry and declining production will make matters worse from the halls of the state Capitol , where legislators are facing a $ 3.3 billion shortfall , to landowners who look to monthly royalty payments to fill the gaps .
Education is one of the huge fiscal holes that lawmakers are trying to fill .
Oil and gas royalties from production on state-owned lands have generated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 , according to the Colorado State Land board .
The royalties are often vital to landowners ’ budgets as well , Allen said .
“ A lot of farmers and ranches still have their minerals .
A lot of times it gets them through a bad year with the crops.
” Not everyone who owns land also owns the oil , gas and other minerals below it .
Someone might sell the land but keep the minerals below .
Or the minerals might have been sold separately a while ago , resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estate .
In the state ’ s case , joining the union in August 1876 earned it about 4 million acres of land and the minerals underneath .
The federal government granted land to new states across the West .
By law , the revenue produced by state trust land goes to public schools .
There are 1,216 active oil and gas leases on trust land , Kristin Kemp , spokeswoman for the Colorado State Land Board said in an email .
She said the land board had received more than 20 requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The requests granted were due to economic conditions .
The trust lands are the primary source of money for the Department of Education ’ s Building Excellent Schools Today program , which provides competitive grants for school construction and renovation .
Money also comes from recreation and agriculture leases .

Kathy Allen and her family might not be the first people who come to mind when tallying up the oil and gas industry’s losses, but as mineral owners they too are feeling the squeeze.
The family owns minerals in various spots across oil-rich Weld County. Some of the tracts date back to the early 1900s.
“A lot of them were purchased by my great-grandfather, who was an abstractor, starting in the teens,” Allen said.
Some of the purchases were made during tax sales or when a subdivision was platted. She doesn’t think her great-grandfather bought the land for the minerals underneath it. But through the decades, royalties from companies that mined the oil and gas have helped get the family through tough economic times and provided a financial cushion.
“My grandmother reaped the benefits of that. My grandfather was a music teacher in the Denver schools when he died at a young age,” Allen said.
The royalty payments helped cover expenses when Allen’s mother, who was diagnosed with dementia, moved into a care facility.
The family is among about 600,000 mineral owners in Colorado who stand to lose out as oil and gas companies stop drilling new wells or halt production because of low prices due to low demand during the coronavirus pandemic. The Colorado Alliance of Mineral and Royalty Owners said reports by the industry show that mineral-rights owners were paid a total of roughly a half billion dollars in 2019.
“While mineral and royalty owners are often thought of as large entities, the truth is that the average mineral owner in Colorado receives a monthly check of around $500,” Neil Ray, president of CAMRO, said in a statement. “These are people who rely on this money for a variety of personal expenses, including paying for college or caring for elderly parents.”
Mineral owners could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in monthly royalty payments because of the industry’s “extraordinary economic distress,” according to CAMRO.
Royalty payments tided Allen over when she was laid off by Anadarko Petroleum in 2016. The money helped keep her sister, a single mother, financially afloat.
The money has helped the family pay bills, college expenses and allowed Allen to donate to charities. But she’s concerned the widespread layoffs in the oil and gas industry and declining production will make matters worse from the halls of the state Capitol, where legislators are facing a $3.3 billion shortfall, to landowners who look to monthly royalty payments to fill the gaps.
Education is one of the huge fiscal holes that lawmakers are trying to fill. Oil and gas royalties from production on state-owned lands have generated $1.7 billion for public schools since 2008, according to the Colorado State Land board.
The royalties are often vital to landowners’ budgets as well, Allen said. “A lot of farmers and ranches still have their minerals. A lot of times it gets them through a bad year with the crops.”
Not everyone who owns land also owns the oil, gas and other minerals below it. Someone might sell the land but keep the minerals below. Or the minerals might have been sold separately a while ago, resulting in what’s called a split estate.
In the state’s case, joining the union in August 1876 earned it about 4 million acres of land and the minerals underneath. The federal government granted land to new states across the West. By law, the revenue produced by state trust land goes to public schools.
There are 1,216 active oil and gas leases on trust land, Kristin Kemp, spokeswoman for the Colorado State Land Board said in an email. She said the land board had received more than 20 requests since March 1 to shut down wells. The requests granted were due to economic conditions.
The trust lands are the primary source of money for the Department of Education’s Building Excellent Schools Today program, which provides competitive grants for school construction and renovation. Money also comes from recreation and agriculture leases.