thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Colorado Memorial Day weekend weather: Mild start, followed by chance for storms

Many Coloradans look forward to a long Memorial Day weekend outdoors .
While some mountain communities still have pandemic restrictions in place , Mother Nature could also get in the way this year .
The good news : No widespread washouts are expected .
The bad news : there will still be some scattered showers and storms to contend with this weekend , especially on Sunday .
The other big concern for this weekend will be the potential for increased fire danger , especially across southern Colorado .
Warmer temperatures and gusty winds combined with a growing drought could set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the state .
That ’ ll be perhaps a heightened concern on Friday and Saturday , again , mainly for southern Colorado .
But as far as the forecast itself , the weekend should start off pleasantly .
Friday looks to be a dry day across Colorado , and it should be mild as well .
Highs will rise well into the 60s and 70s even in the mountains , and highs along the Front Range should eclipse 80 .
On Saturday , though , the first hints of trouble will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slide 3-5 degrees from Friday ’ s readings for most of Colorado , and it ’ ll also be a tick cloudier than Friday , especially north of Interstate 70 .
In northern Colorado , an isolated shower or storm could be in play , although most of the state should remain dry .
The best chances for showers and storms – and perhaps even some high-elevation snow – will come on Sunday .
A storm system moving in from the north will pull in both cooler and more unsettled weather by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general , areas along and north of Interstate 70 will have the best chances for rain or snow .
But , most areas will have to contend with at least a chance for afternoon storms , including the Front Range .
By Memorial Day warmer temperatures and sunnier weather should both be back in the picture across most of the state .
There will be a few isolated afternoon showers and storms , though , mainly along the eastern plains .

Many Coloradans look forward to a long Memorial Day weekend outdoors. While some mountain communities still have pandemic restrictions in place, Mother Nature could also get in the way this year.
The good news: No widespread washouts are expected. The bad news: there will still be some scattered showers and storms to contend with this weekend, especially on Sunday.
The other big concern for this weekend will be the potential for increased fire danger, especially across southern Colorado. Warmer temperatures and gusty winds combined with a growing drought could set the stage for dangerous fire weather in parts of the state. That’ll be perhaps a heightened concern on Friday and Saturday, again, mainly for southern Colorado.
But as far as the forecast itself, the weekend should start off pleasantly. Friday looks to be a dry day across Colorado, and it should be mild as well. Highs will rise well into the 60s and 70s even in the mountains, and highs along the Front Range should eclipse 80.
On Saturday, though, the first hints of trouble will start to move in. Temperatures will slide 3-5 degrees from Friday’s readings for most of Colorado, and it’ll also be a tick cloudier than Friday, especially north of Interstate 70. In northern Colorado, an isolated shower or storm could be in play, although most of the state should remain dry.
The best chances for showers and storms – and perhaps even some high-elevation snow – will come on Sunday. A storm system moving in from the north will pull in both cooler and more unsettled weather by the back half of the weekend. In general, areas along and north of Interstate 70 will have the best chances for rain or snow. But, most areas will have to contend with at least a chance for afternoon storms, including the Front Range.
By Memorial Day warmer temperatures and sunnier weather should both be back in the picture across most of the state. There will be a few isolated afternoon showers and storms, though, mainly along the eastern plains.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Nearly half of Colorado households have lost income because of pandemic

Colorado consumers report losing work-related income at a higher rate than households in most other states and have suffered a sharper loss in confidence because of the pandemic , even though they are filing for unemployment benefits at much lower rates .
Just under half of Colorado households are reporting a loss of work income due to the pandemic , the ninth highest share of income loss reported in any state , according to the newly launched Household Pulse Survey from the Census Bureau .
Even though Colorado households are more likely to report reduced incomes , households in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scarcity , 33rd highest , or housing insecurity , 36th highest .
The Colorado households surveyed estimate they have lost just over a third of their pre-outbreak income , close to the national average .
Although Colorado ranks 9th highest for the share of households reporting a loss of income , it ranks 46th when it comes to the share of employed workers , measured in February , who have filed for initial unemployment claims during the outbreak , according to a separate tally from Heartland Forward .
Between March 1 and May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s February employment base had filed a claim .
Only South Dakota , Utah and Nebraska had a smaller share of workers seeking assistance .
In the two hardest-hit states , Georgia and Kentucky , initial claimants accounted for 40.6 % and 39.9 % of the prior employment count , with Hawaii not far behind at 36.2 % .
So what might account for the disconnect ?
It doesn ’ t appear that the severity of novel coronavirus outbreaks in a state is as directly linked to economic impacts as once assumed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the pandemic , has suffered nearly 6.7 times the number of deaths from COVID-19 per capita than Colorado has , according to counts through Wednesday from Statista .
But when it comes to the share of households reporting a loss of income because of the outbreak , 49.8 % of Colorado households and 53 % of households in New York said they have taken an income hit since March 13 , according to the Household Pulse Survey .
The contrast is even starker with Hawaii .
It ’ s among the least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 1 death per 100,000 residents .
New York ’ s death rate is 147 times higher .
And yet when it comes to lost incomes , nearly 60 % of Hawaiian households report a reduction , the worst in the country .
Workers in Hawaii are also seeking unemployment benefits at some of the highest rates .
That appears to reflect the restrictions Hawaii has put in place and how those are interacting with its heavily tourism-dependent economy .
Nothing says “ stay away ” like a mandatory 14-day hotel room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the state is serious , something Boulder resident Tara Trunfio found out when she violated that requirement and police hunted her down and arrested her last weekend .
“ While our national economy is in a recession , the travel industry is already in a depression .
More than half of the travel industry ’ s 15.8 million workers , 51 % , have been laid off during the coronavirus pandemic , ” the U.S. Travel Association said in a release Wednesday .
The other states with a higher share of households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are New Jersey , Nevada , Louisiana , Michigan , California , Oregon and New York .
The Household Pulse Survey would suggest that the direct line economists initially drew between the severity of the pandemic in a given area and economic impacts might be a little more squiggly .
Or it could be that the weekly survey , which was put together quickly , might need a few more weeks to hit its stride .
Rather than piggyback on existing surveys , a decision was made to “ let ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Victoria Velkoff , associate director for demographic programs at the Census Bureau in a webinar Wednesday hosted by Brookings .
To speed up response times , the bureau is relying on emails and texts in an unprecedented way , which caused some unexpected complications — like hundreds of thousands of emails landing in spam folders the first week .
The statistics cited are from the second week of the survey , which captured 42,000 responses .
Week three , coming out soon , had 107,000 responses , Velkoff said .
And if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado has suffered one of the biggest drops in consumer confidence of any state during the crisis , according to Morning Consult .
Colorado consumers had the 9th lowest confidence score on May 15 , below that of Louisiana and New York , states with more severe outbreaks .
Even consumers in Georgia and Kentucky , who have filed for unemployment assistance at three times the rate seen in Colorado , have a rosier outlook .
That lack of confidence in Colorado could impact how quickly the state ’ s economy bounces back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raced to gather weekly information on households , the Census Bureau also rolled out a Small Business Pulse Survey to get more timely information on firms with fewer than 500 workers and how they were coping .
Nationally , 51.4 % of the small businesses surveyed between April 26 and May 2 reported that the pandemic had a “ large negative impact ” on them , with another 38.5 % reporting a moderate negative impact .
“ Almost 90 % of businesses noted a negative impact , ” said Nick Orsini , associate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau , during the webinar .
Small businesses in accommodation and food services reported the largest “ large negative ” impact at 83.5 % ; followed by arts , entertainment and recreation at 75.2 % ; and educational services at 74.3 % .
The industries least likely to report a large negative impact were utilities at 6.7 % ; finance and insurance at 27.5 % ; and construction at 33 % .
Small businesses in Colorado were less likely to describe a large negative impact at 45.1 % .
They were also slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had little or no impact at 10.7 % vs. 7.6 % nationally .
Colorado businesses were less likely to have closed a location , suffered a loss in revenue , decreased headcount or sought public assistance than small businesses nationally .
About two-thirds of small businesses nationally reported having two months or less of cash reserves on hand , Orsini noted .
And while Colorado businesses reported a thicker cash cushion overall , about a quarter had fewer than two weeks of cash available to cover operating expenses , including 7.1 % who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the stories of businesses switching gears to make hand sanitizer , or personal protective equipment or ventilators , they appear to be exceptions .
Only 6.8 % of small businesses nationally and 8.3 % in Colorado said they had shifted to providing other goods and services .
“ Businesses are not able to easily pivot from one production model to another , ” Orsini said .
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade teamed with the National Research Center and Downtown Colorado to conduct a separate survey measuring business impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,382 businesses across the state between April 10-30 .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented economic interruption and it is important that we remain in lockstep with the critical needs and concerns of the small businesses that make up 90 percent of the Colorado economy , ” said Betsy Markey , executive director of the economic development office , in an email .
“ This survey , taken at the peak of the economic interruption , provides a valuable baseline that charts our business community ’ s evolving economic needs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to fill existing gaps.
” A majority of respondents said they weren ’ t prepared for the economic changes that resulted from COVID-19 .
A third reported being closed at the time of the survey and another third had reduced hours .
Of the businesses that had stayed open , 40 % reported revenue reductions of half or more , forcing cutbacks in employee hours , reduced wages , suspended bonuses and furloughs .
About six in 10 businesses surveyed described having difficulties in making rent or mortgage payments .
Of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would take a year or longer to return to pre-COVID levels of activity and a majority expected revenues in 2020 to be down 25 % or more compared to projections made heading into the year .
A large majority of business owners said they were aware of federal and other assistance programs .
They rated grants as the most helpful to their recovery , followed by renewed access to their customers , no or low-interest rate loans and tax relief .

Colorado consumers report losing work-related income at a higher rate than households in most other states and have suffered a sharper loss in confidence because of the pandemic, even though they are filing for unemployment benefits at much lower rates.
Just under half of Colorado households are reporting a loss of work income due to the pandemic, the ninth highest share of income loss reported in any state, according to the newly launched Household Pulse Survey from the Census Bureau.
Even though Colorado households are more likely to report reduced incomes, households in the state are less likely to report food scarcity, 33rd highest, or housing insecurity, 36th highest. The Colorado households surveyed estimate they have lost just over a third of their pre-outbreak income, close to the national average.
Although Colorado ranks 9th highest for the share of households reporting a loss of income, it ranks 46th when it comes to the share of employed workers, measured in February, who have filed for initial unemployment claims during the outbreak, according to a separate tally from Heartland Forward.
Between March 1 and May 16, 13.3% of Colorado’s February employment base had filed a claim. Only South Dakota, Utah and Nebraska had a smaller share of workers seeking assistance. In the two hardest-hit states, Georgia and Kentucky, initial claimants accounted for 40.6% and 39.9% of the prior employment count, with Hawaii not far behind at 36.2%.
So what might account for the disconnect? It doesn’t appear that the severity of novel coronavirus outbreaks in a state is as directly linked to economic impacts as once assumed.
New York, the state hardest hit by the pandemic, has suffered nearly 6.7 times the number of deaths from COVID-19 per capita than Colorado has, according to counts through Wednesday from Statista.
But when it comes to the share of households reporting a loss of income because of the outbreak, 49.8% of Colorado households and 53% of households in New York said they have taken an income hit since March 13, according to the Household Pulse Survey.
The contrast is even starker with Hawaii. It’s among the least impacted state from a public health perspective, with 1 death per 100,000 residents. New York’s death rate is 147 times higher. And yet when it comes to lost incomes, nearly 60% of Hawaiian households report a reduction, the worst in the country. Workers in Hawaii are also seeking unemployment benefits at some of the highest rates.
That appears to reflect the restrictions Hawaii has put in place and how those are interacting with its heavily tourism-dependent economy. Nothing says “stay away” like a mandatory 14-day hotel room quarantine upon arrival on the islands. And the state is serious, something Boulder resident Tara Trunfio found out when she violated that requirement and police hunted her down and arrested her last weekend.
“While our national economy is in a recession, the travel industry is already in a depression. More than half of the travel industry’s 15.8 million workers, 51%, have been laid off during the coronavirus pandemic,” the U.S. Travel Association said in a release Wednesday.
The other states with a higher share of households reporting a loss of income than Colorado are New Jersey, Nevada, Louisiana, Michigan, California, Oregon and New York.
The Household Pulse Survey would suggest that the direct line economists initially drew between the severity of the pandemic in a given area and economic impacts might be a little more squiggly. Or it could be that the weekly survey, which was put together quickly, might need a few more weeks to hit its stride.
Rather than piggyback on existing surveys, a decision was made to “let’s just start a whole new survey,” said Victoria Velkoff, associate director for demographic programs at the Census Bureau in a webinar Wednesday hosted by Brookings.
To speed up response times, the bureau is relying on emails and texts in an unprecedented way, which caused some unexpected complications — like hundreds of thousands of emails landing in spam folders the first week. The statistics cited are from the second week of the survey, which captured 42,000 responses. Week three, coming out soon, had 107,000 responses, Velkoff said.
And if things aren’t complicated enough, Colorado has suffered one of the biggest drops in consumer confidence of any state during the crisis, according to Morning Consult. Colorado consumers had the 9th lowest confidence score on May 15, below that of Louisiana and New York, states with more severe outbreaks.
Even consumers in Georgia and Kentucky, who have filed for unemployment assistance at three times the rate seen in Colorado, have a rosier outlook. That lack of confidence in Colorado could impact how quickly the state’s economy bounces back in the months ahead.
Businesses also are struggling
As it raced to gather weekly information on households, the Census Bureau also rolled out a Small Business Pulse Survey to get more timely information on firms with fewer than 500 workers and how they were coping.
Nationally, 51.4% of the small businesses surveyed between April 26 and May 2 reported that the pandemic had a “large negative impact” on them, with another 38.5% reporting a moderate negative impact.
“Almost 90% of businesses noted a negative impact,” said Nick Orsini, associate director for economic programs at the Census Bureau, during the webinar.
Small businesses in accommodation and food services reported the largest “large negative” impact at 83.5%; followed by arts, entertainment and recreation at 75.2%; and educational services at 74.3%. The industries least likely to report a large negative impact were utilities at 6.7%; finance and insurance at 27.5%; and construction at 33%.
Small businesses in Colorado were less likely to describe a large negative impact at 45.1%. They were also slightly more likely to say the pandemic has had little or no impact at 10.7% vs. 7.6% nationally.
Colorado businesses were less likely to have closed a location, suffered a loss in revenue, decreased headcount or sought public assistance than small businesses nationally.
About two-thirds of small businesses nationally reported having two months or less of cash reserves on hand, Orsini noted. And while Colorado businesses reported a thicker cash cushion overall, about a quarter had fewer than two weeks of cash available to cover operating expenses, including 7.1% who said they had no reserves.
Despite all the stories of businesses switching gears to make hand sanitizer, or personal protective equipment or ventilators, they appear to be exceptions. Only 6.8% of small businesses nationally and 8.3% in Colorado said they had shifted to providing other goods and services.
“Businesses are not able to easily pivot from one production model to another,” Orsini said.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade teamed with the National Research Center and Downtown Colorado to conduct a separate survey measuring business impacts in the state. The survey reached 2,382 businesses across the state between April 10-30.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented economic interruption and it is important that we remain in lockstep with the critical needs and concerns of the small businesses that make up 90 percent of the Colorado economy,” said Betsy Markey, executive director of the economic development office, in an email. “This survey, taken at the peak of the economic interruption, provides a valuable baseline that charts our business community’s evolving economic needs, informs our federal asks and focuses our efforts to fill existing gaps.”
A majority of respondents said they weren’t prepared for the economic changes that resulted from COVID-19. A third reported being closed at the time of the survey and another third had reduced hours.
Of the businesses that had stayed open, 40% reported revenue reductions of half or more, forcing cutbacks in employee hours, reduced wages, suspended bonuses and furloughs. About six in 10 businesses surveyed described having difficulties in making rent or mortgage payments.
Of those still open, about a quarter predicted it would take a year or longer to return to pre-COVID levels of activity and a majority expected revenues in 2020 to be down 25% or more compared to projections made heading into the year.
A large majority of business owners said they were aware of federal and other assistance programs. They rated grants as the most helpful to their recovery, followed by renewed access to their customers, no or low-interest rate loans and tax relief.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Rockies Insider: With expanded rosters likely for 2020, here’s who now has a better chance to make t

Rockies Insider: With expanded rosters likely for 2020, here’s who now has a better chance to make the team

The Major League Baseball owners ’ proposal for an amended 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic calls for expanded rosters , seeing as MLB will be trying to cram in as many games as possible if/when the schedule begins .
That means instead of the typical 26-man roster , teams will be allowed to carry as many as 30 active players , with an additional 20-man “ taxi squad ” consisting of top minor league prospects .
So , while the pandemic could prove detrimental to players in the lower minors leagues who might see their seasons wiped out completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 2020 , more “ on the bubble ” players are going to have their shot at the majors than ever before .
Here ’ s a look at the players who could find themselves with the Rockies this season , rather than in Triple-A Albuquerque or being waived or released , thanks to expanded rosters .
The right-hander came into spring training needing to impress to earn a job at the back end of the rotation but failed to do that , posting a 6.35 ERA in three appearances before the shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could prolong Hoffman ’ s time with the club , as Colorado will need ample starting pitching with a condensed schedule .
With the universal designated hitter likely in play in 2020 as another aspect of the owners ’ proposal , Fuentes — who was probable to start in Triple-A — would be a viable defensive option at the corner infield spots behind cousin Nolan Arenado at third base , or at first base behind starter Daniel Murphy and backup Ryan McMahon .
Back with the Rockies as a non-roster invitee this spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get back into baseball after a couple of years off is a big challenge .
He posted a 8.44 ERA in three games ( two starts ) during the spring , but just like Hoffman , he could find himself on the major league roster if Colorado needs a surplus of starters .
Tinoco , who posted a 4.75 ERA in 24 appearances last season , was on the bubble for a spot in the bullpen this spring .
That means expanded rosters will surely buoy the right-hander ’ s chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of several middle-relief options alongside still-developing Yency Almonte , Carlos Estevez and Jairo Diaz .
The outfielder was up and down with Colorado from Triple-A last season after making his debut in April .
The odd man out in an already-packed outfield , Daza could find himself as a backup to David Dahl in center , or as another platoon option at the corner spots alongside Raimel Tapia and much-hyped rookie Sam Hilliard .
Another potential bullpen arm on the 40-man roster , the Rockies acquired Pazos via trade with the Phillies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ERA in a dozen appearances for Colorado in 2019 , and his chances to be on the Rockies ’ expanded roster for 2020 are decent considering the bullpen doesn ’ t have a lot of left-handers to begin with .
Another left-hander , Bowden dominated Double-A Hartford last year with a 1.05 ERA in 26 games , earning a spot in the All-Star Futures Game .
But Triple-A was more of a struggle — 5.88 ERA in 22 appearances — and Bowden was sidelined during spring training due to a back injury .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ talented of Colorado ’ s bullpen prospects .
Formerly a top prospect with the Rays before his career was derailed by Tommy John , the Rockies signed Mujica to a free-agent deal in the offseason and promptly put him on the 40-man roster .
He posted an unsightly 15.00 ERA in three spring training outings , but could find himself in the majors if Colorado is pressed for effective bullpen arms .
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” Read more… DJ Johnson ’ s improbable baseball journey continues in Japan , where right-hander ’ s vying to close for Hiroshima Toyo Carp “ My agent and I sat down and looked at my age , the way my career was going , how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the major leagues to get what I ’ d be making over here , ” Johnson said from Hiroshima .
“ It came down to , I had realized my dream of making the major leagues after all those years of grinding and sacrifice .
Now , it ’ s time to start taking care of my family.
” Read more… Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis ready for Rockies to play baseball again Although safety remains his paramount concern during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , Polis is ready and eager for sports to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitch of the Rockies ’ 2020 season will be thrown in early July .
Read more… + Keeler vs. Saunders : Does MLB ’ s altered schedule enhance Rockies ’ chances to contend ?
+ Rockies Mailbag : Don ’ t count on MLB losing its anti-trust exemption anytime soon + Rockies release right-hander Tim Melville , ending journeyman ’ s brief but memorable stint with Colorado + Roy Halladay ’ s Hall of Fame career , struggles with addiction to be featured in upcoming ESPN documentary + Ryan McMahon hits 2 homers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Show 20 + MLB projects $ 640K per game loss with no fans + Want to chat about the Rockies ?
Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook .
Rockies podcast : Nolan Arenado ’ s Cooperstown talents , soaking in ballparks and more things we miss amid MLB ’ s postponement In edition of the On The Rox podcast , Denver Post sportswriters Kyle Newman and Patrick Saunders discuss what they miss most about baseball amid MLB ’ s postponement during the coronavirus pandemic .
Listen here… Saunders : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from worst to first The Green Monster , McCovey Cove , ivy growing on ancient bricks , skyscrapers looming over the outfield , the smell of grilled hot dogs and BBQ , rowdy fans , walk-up songs , summer sunsets .
I ’ m a ballpark romantic .
They are my place of business and one of the great perks of my job as a baseball beat writer .
It ’ s one of the things I ’ ve missed the most during the coronavirus pandemic .
Read more… If you see something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at jbailey @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ beetbailey .

The Major League Baseball owners’ proposal for an amended 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic calls for expanded rosters, seeing as MLB will be trying to cram in as many games as possible if/when the schedule begins.
That means instead of the typical 26-man roster, teams will be allowed to carry as many as 30 active players, with an additional 20-man “taxi squad” consisting of top minor league prospects. So, while the pandemic could prove detrimental to players in the lower minors leagues who might see their seasons wiped out completely, in the case of expanded rosters for 2020, more “on the bubble” players are going to have their shot at the majors than ever before.
Here’s a look at the players who could find themselves with the Rockies this season, rather than in Triple-A Albuquerque or being waived or released, thanks to expanded rosters.
Jeff Hoffman
The right-hander came into spring training needing to impress to earn a job at the back end of the rotation but failed to do that, posting a 6.35 ERA in three appearances before the shutdown. Out of options, expanded rosters could prolong Hoffman’s time with the club, as Colorado will need ample starting pitching with a condensed schedule.
Josh Fuentes
With the universal designated hitter likely in play in 2020 as another aspect of the owners’ proposal, Fuentes — who was probable to start in Triple-A — would be a viable defensive option at the corner infield spots behind cousin Nolan Arenado at third base, or at first base behind starter Daniel Murphy and backup Ryan McMahon.
Ubaldo Jimenez
Back with the Rockies as a non-roster invitee this spring, the 36-year-old right-hander’s attempt to get back into baseball after a couple of years off is a big challenge. He posted a 8.44 ERA in three games (two starts) during the spring, but just like Hoffman, he could find himself on the major league roster if Colorado needs a surplus of starters.
Jesus Tinoco
Tinoco, who posted a 4.75 ERA in 24 appearances last season, was on the bubble for a spot in the bullpen this spring. That means expanded rosters will surely buoy the right-hander’s chances of returning to the majors in 2020 as one of several middle-relief options alongside still-developing Yency Almonte, Carlos Estevez and Jairo Diaz.
Yonathan Daza
The outfielder was up and down with Colorado from Triple-A last season after making his debut in April. The odd man out in an already-packed outfield, Daza could find himself as a backup to David Dahl in center, or as another platoon option at the corner spots alongside Raimel Tapia and much-hyped rookie Sam Hilliard.
James Pazos
Another potential bullpen arm on the 40-man roster, the Rockies acquired Pazos via trade with the Phillies last April. He had a 1.74 ERA in a dozen appearances for Colorado in 2019, and his chances to be on the Rockies’ expanded roster for 2020 are decent considering the bullpen doesn’t have a lot of left-handers to begin with.
Ben Bowden
Another left-hander, Bowden dominated Double-A Hartford last year with a 1.05 ERA in 26 games, earning a spot in the All-Star Futures Game. But Triple-A was more of a struggle — 5.88 ERA in 22 appearances — and Bowden was sidelined during spring training due to a back injury. But, he may be the most talented of Colorado’s bullpen prospects.
Jose Mujica
Formerly a top prospect with the Rays before his career was derailed by Tommy John, the Rockies signed Mujica to a free-agent deal in the offseason and promptly put him on the 40-man roster. He posted an unsightly 15.00 ERA in three spring training outings, but could find himself in the majors if Colorado is pressed for effective bullpen arms.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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Must-Read
What does star third baseball have to say to fans who say players are “greedy?” Read more…
“My agent and I sat down and looked at my age, the way my career was going, how much time I would have to be in the major leagues to get what I’d be making over here,” Johnson said from Hiroshima. “It came down to, I had realized my dream of making the major leagues after all those years of grinding and sacrifice. Now, it’s time to start taking care of my family.” Read more…
Although safety remains his paramount concern during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Polis is ready and eager for sports to return and is hopeful that the first pitch of the Rockies’ 2020 season will be thrown in early July. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Keeler vs. Saunders: Does MLB’s altered schedule enhance Rockies’ chances to contend?
+ Rockies Mailbag: Don’t count on MLB losing its anti-trust exemption anytime soon
+ Rockies release right-hander Tim Melville, ending journeyman’s brief but memorable stint with Colorado
+ Roy Halladay’s Hall of Fame career, struggles with addiction to be featured in upcoming ESPN documentary
+ Ryan McMahon hits 2 homers as Rockies sweep White Sox in MLB The Show 20
+ MLB projects $640K per game loss with no fans
+ Want to chat about the Rockies? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.
By The Numbers
Ep. 146
In edition of the On The Rox podcast, Denver Post sportswriters Kyle Newman and Patrick Saunders discuss what they miss most about baseball amid MLB’s postponement during the coronavirus pandemic. Listen here…
Parting Shot
The Green Monster, McCovey Cove, ivy growing on ancient bricks, skyscrapers looming over the outfield, the smell of grilled hot dogs and BBQ, rowdy fans, walk-up songs, summer sunsets.
I’m a ballpark romantic. They are my place of business and one of the great perks of my job as a baseball beat writer. It’s one of the things I’ve missed the most during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.com or tweet me @beetbailey.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Colorado lawmakers could cut K-12 education spending 15% to fill hole left by coronavirus

Colorado lawmakers tasked with crafting a balanced budget cut more than 15 % from the state ’ s $ 4.6 billion K-12 education budget Thursday afternoon .
At the same time , Colorado schools this week received a $ 510 million infusion of federal coronavirus relief money from Gov .
Jared Polis .
That ’ s in addition to $ 121 million in federal assistance earmarked for schools .
These one-time funds must be used before the end of the calendar year for purposes related to the pandemic , but they will soften the immediate blow of state budget cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned state money won ’ t be restored for years to come , as this is likely to be the first of several difficult budget cycles .
“ When we were facing a 25 % reduction to the general fund , a quarter of the state budget , it ’ s pretty incredible that we did what we set out to do and that was to minimize the impact , ” said state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger , an Arvada Democrat and member of the Joint Budget Committee .
The six-member budget committee was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget hole .
Widespread job losses and business closures related to the coronavirus are expected to decimate tax revenues .
The cut to K-12 education was their final act of an agonizing two weeks that left no department untouched and brought both staff members and legislators to the brink of tears more than once .
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues .
For more , visit co.chalkbeat.org .

Colorado lawmakers tasked with crafting a balanced budget cut more than 15% from the state’s $4.6 billion K-12 education budget Thursday afternoon.
At the same time, Colorado schools this week received a $510 million infusion of federal coronavirus relief money from Gov. Jared Polis. That’s in addition to $121 million in federal assistance earmarked for schools.
These one-time funds must be used before the end of the calendar year for purposes related to the pandemic, but they will soften the immediate blow of state budget cuts. Nonetheless, many school districts are concerned state money won’t be restored for years to come, as this is likely to be the first of several difficult budget cycles.
“When we were facing a 25% reduction to the general fund, a quarter of the state budget, it’s pretty incredible that we did what we set out to do and that was to minimize the impact,” said state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and member of the Joint Budget Committee.
The six-member budget committee was tasked with filling a $3.3 billion budget hole. Widespread job losses and business closures related to the coronavirus are expected to decimate tax revenues. The cut to K-12 education was their final act of an agonizing two weeks that left no department untouched and brought both staff members and legislators to the brink of tears more than once.
Read more at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit co.chalkbeat.org.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Jennifer Kupcho to headline CoBank Colorado Women’s Open this June

Competitive sports will finally return to Colorado in June after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown all major athletic events around the state .
The 26th annual CoBank Colorado Women ’ s Open golf tournament is set to take place June 3-5 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club .
The event has a purse of $ 150,000 with the winner taking home $ 50,000 with a 15-year exemption into future events .
LPGA player and Colorado native Jennifer Kupcho is the headliner of the event .
Her storied amateur career is well known as she won the inaugural Augusta National Women ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Kupcho , the field will feature five LPGA professionals along with 13 of the top 100 Symetra Tour players .
It ’ s sure to be a competitive CoBank Colorado Women ’ s Open this year , though the only downside is there will be no spectators allowed on the course .
Players and fans are eager to get back to action and the CoBank Colorado Women ’ s Open is the first step in doing so , as the PGA Tour will start things back up on June 11 , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
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Competitive sports will finally return to Colorado in June after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown all major athletic events around the state.
The 26th annual CoBank Colorado Women’s Open golf tournament is set to take place June 3-5 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. The event has a purse of $150,000 with the winner taking home $50,000 with a 15-year exemption into future events.
LPGA player and Colorado native Jennifer Kupcho is the headliner of the event. Her storied amateur career is well known as she won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019.
In addition to Kupcho, the field will feature five LPGA professionals along with 13 of the top 100 Symetra Tour players. It’s sure to be a competitive CoBank Colorado Women’s Open this year, though the only downside is there will be no spectators allowed on the course.
Players and fans are eager to get back to action and the CoBank Colorado Women’s Open is the first step in doing so, as the PGA Tour will start things back up on June 11, followed by both LPGA and Symetra Tour.
— Jeff Bailey, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers!
Get 1 year of The Denver Post for just $65.
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thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Mayor: Pakistan plane crashes near Karachi, all 107 killed

KARACHI , Pakistan — A passenger plane belonging to state-run Pakistan International Airlines crashed near the southern port city of Karachi on Friday , killing all 107 passengers and crew , the city ’ s mayor said .
The aircraft crashed into a crowded neighborhood on the edge of the airport .
Mayor Wasim Akhtar said at least five or six houses were destroyed in the crash .
It wasn ’ t immediately known how many casualties were from among the residential area .
The aircraft arriving from the eastern city of Lahore was carrying 99 passengers and eight crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the country ’ s civil aviation authority .
The civil aviation authority said the pilot called in a mayday saying that he had lost an engine .
He was attempting to land when the plane crashed .
Witnesses said the Airbus A320 appeared to attempt to land two or three times before crashing in a residential area near Jinnah International Airport .
The residential area on the edge of the airport known as Model Colony is a poor area and heavily congested .
A resident of the area , Abdul Rahman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least three times , appearing to try to land before it crashed into several houses .
Police and military cordoned off the area .
Pakistan ’ s Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted : “ Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash .
.
.
Immediate inquiry will be instituted .
Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.
” Local television reports showed smoke coming from the direction of the airport and video emerging of the aircraft flying low over a residential area seemed showed apparent flames shooting from one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to the airport and there were reports of some injuries among residents on the ground .
Airbus did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the crash .
The flight typically takes an hour and a half from the northeastern city of Lahore , the capital of Pakistan ’ s most populous province , Punjab , to Karachi .
Airworthiness documents showed the plane last received a government check on Nov. 1 , 2019 .
PIA ’ s chief engineer signed a separate certificate April 28 saying all maintenance had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the aircraft is fully airworthy and meets all the safety ” standards .
Ownership records for the Airbus A320 involved in the crash showed China Eastern Airlines flew the plane from 2004 until 2014 .
The plane then entered PIA ’ s fleet , leased from GE Capital Aviation Services .
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates ; Kathy Gannon and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad , and Asim Tanveer in Multan , Pakistan contributed to this report

KARACHI, Pakistan — A jetliner carrying 98 people crashed Friday in a crowded neighborhood near the airport in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi after an apparent engine failure during landing. Officials said there were two survivors from the plane but also found at least 57 bodies in the wreckage.
It was unknown how many people on the ground were hurt as the Pakistan International Airlines jet, an Airbus A320, plowed into an alley and destroyed at least five houses.
The pilot was heard transmitting a mayday to the tower shortly before the crash of Flight 8303, which was flying from Lahore to Karachi and carrying many traveling for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
Video on social media appeared to show the jet flying low with flames shooting from one of its engines.
The plane went down about 2:39 p.m. northeast of Jinnah International Airport in the poor and congested residential area known as Model Colony between houses that were smashed by its wings. Police in protective masks struggled to clear away crowds amid the smoke and dust so ambulances and firetrucks could reach the crash site.
As darkness fell, crews worked under floodlights, and a portable morgue was set up. The Sindh provincial health department said it had recovered 57 bodies, while PIA chairman Arshad Malik said finding all the dead could take two to three days.
Pakistan’s civil aviation authority said the plane had 91 passengers and a crew of seven. The A320 can carry up to 180 passengers, depending on how its cabin is configured.
At least two people aboard survived, according to the health department, revising an earlier statement that three were alive.
Local TV stations showed video of a man on a stretcher they identified as Zafar Masood, the head of the Bank of Punjab. Malik later confirmed that Masood survived the crash.
At least three people on the ground were injured.
Malik announced an investigation into the crash, adding that the aircraft was in good working order.
Pakistan had resumed domestic flights earlier this week ahead of Eid-al Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Pakistan has been in a countrywide lockdown since mid-March because of the coronavirus, and the airline has been using social distancing guidelines on its flights by leaving every other seat vacant.
Southern Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, is the epicenter of the virus infections in Pakistan. The province has nearly 20,000 of the country’s more than 50,000 cases.
A transmission of the pilot’s final exchange with air traffic control, posted on the website LiveATC.net, indicated he had failed to land and was circling to make another attempt.
“We are proceeding direct, sir — we have lost engine,” a pilot said.
“Confirm your attempt on belly,” the air traffic controller said, offering a runway.
“Sir, mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday Pakistan 8303,” the pilot said before the transmission ended.
In one of the radio communications, at least one exchange from the flight sounded like a warning alarm was sounding in the cockpit.
A resident, Abdul Rahman, said he saw the jet circle at least three times, appearing to try to land before it crashed.
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: “Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash… Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.”
Science Minister Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry said this year has been a “catastrophe — just survival is so difficult,” with the pandemic and now the tragedy of the plane crash.
Most of the passengers were heading home to celebrate Eid-al Fitr, he said.
“What is most unfortunate and sad is whole families have died, whole families who were travelling together for the Eid holiday,” he said in a telephone interview in the capital of Islamabad.
The flight from the northeastern city of Lahore typically lasts about an hour and a half.
Airworthiness documents showed the plane last received a government check on Nov. 1, 2019. PIA’s chief engineer signed a separate certificate April 28 saying all maintenance had been conducted. It said “the aircraft is fully airworthy and meets all the safety” standards.
Ownership records for the Airbus A320 showed China Eastern Airlines flew the plane from 2004 until 2014. The plane then entered PIA’s fleet, leased from GE Capital Aviation Services.
Perry Bradley, a spokesman for GE, said the firm was “aware of reports of the accident and is closely monitoring the situation.”
Airbus said the plane had logged 47,100 flight hours and 25,860 flights as of Friday. The plane had two CFM56-5B4 engines.
Airbus said it would provide technical assistance to investigators in France and Pakistan, as well as the airline and engine manufacturers.
“We at Airbus are deeply saddened by the tragic news of flight #PK8303,” tweeted Executive Director Guillaume Faury. “My thoughts and those of my Airbus colleagues, go to the families and loved ones affected. In aviation, we all work hard to prevent this. Airbus will provide full assistance to the investigating authorities.”
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Kathy Gannon and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed.


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Jeffco Public School releases fall reopening plans, providing first detailed glimpse of what schools

Jeffco Public School releases fall reopening plans, providing first detailed glimpse of what schools could look like in 2020-21

Come fall , Jeffco Public School students may head to their campuses on a scheduled rotation of in-person and remote learning to prevent too many kids and staff members congregating at once .
Social distancing would be enforced during recess .
Temperature checks and symptom screenings would be required to get in the doors , and masks would be recommended but not mandatory .
Jeffco Public Schools announced Friday the most comprehensive plan Coloradans have seen outlining what school might look like in the fall amid the new coronavirus pandemic .
The plan is considered a draft to be amended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , but it offers a glimpse into the murky future of trying to teach and learn after the highly contagious new coronavirus shuttered school buildings across the nation in March and disrupted education as we know it .
“ We hear a lot from polar extremes , ” said Jeffco Superintendent Jason Glass .
“ One side says there ’ s no way you can keep everybody safe and to keep everyone home .
But there are costs to remote learning — academic costs , social , emotional and economic costs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing only remote learning.
” “ Then we hear a lot from this other extreme that says it ’ s a hoax — that you should effectively pretend this isn ’ t happening and restore all in-person learning .
We reject the extreme and polar opposites .
We have to find a middle ground that restores in-person learning to the greatest extent we can , but we want to do so in a way that takes every prudent step to keep our staff and students safe.
” Jeffco looked to countries opening schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance along with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , local public health guidelines and consulting with other districts across the Front Range , Glass said .
The plan looks at three approaches depending on how the pandemic plays out — a traditional return to school , a remote return or a mix .
The most likely approach would be a hybrid plan featuring in-school elements including new coronavirus symptom screening , one-way paths throughout buildings with signs directing people where to go , keeping windows and doors open when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and limiting the sharing of school supplies .
Eventually , Glass hopes testing for COVID-19 is readily available in the district .
Come fall , Glass expects social distancing guidelines of six-feet apart will remain in place , although he ’ s not sure how many people will be allowed to gather in a classroom .
“ We have to look at how many square feet are in a classroom , how many individuals are in a classroom , ” Glass said .
“ That means we ’ re not able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to split schedules.
” Glass proposed ‘ A ’ and ‘ B ’ days or weeks where students would trade time spent learning from home with time in a classroom with a limited number of students and staff .
The plan said Jeffco would be flexible in scheduling educators based on their personal needs and the needs of their students .
“ Another one of the challenges we have to design through is child care for our own teachers , ” Glass said .
“ We can ’ t create a system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ A ’ day but their child is at home that same day.
” There will be a remote-only option for parents who don ’ t want to send their children to school at all , Glass said .
Melissa Wallace — a Jeffco parent to elementary , middle and high school students — thinks it ’ s time to send students back .
She said the mental health implications and academic repercussions of keeping kids learning from home and attached to their screens outweighs the risks of the new coronavirus for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others would feel differently depending on their health and age .
She also noted , although her family would be able to have a parent stay home with their kids , some families wouldn ’ t have the luxury .
“ At what cost do we keep doing this ?
” Wallace said .
“ The reality as parents is we weigh risks every day for our kids .
How far do we let this go before we say OK , maybe it ’ s time to weigh the risk ?
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a risk to my children .
I have healthy kids , and I ’ m thankful for that .
I feel like we should be able to make that decision for our family .
We are fortunate enough we can make any situation they put out work , but if they tell me my 9-year-old is only able to go to school one day a week , maybe we look at some private school options.
” Jeffco seeks parent input on when the school year should begin .
Some higher education institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University — are starting their academic calendars early in a bid to end the semester before a predicted wave of flu and a potential second wave of the new coronavirus .
Glass said this is a possibility , but starting later would allow for more preparation to get the fall semester right .
Jeffco ’ s academic year was scheduled to begin Aug.18 .
“ We also should expect to have outbreaks or things happen over the course of this next year where we ’ d have to close school down over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glass said .
“ We may go through periods of in-person learning and remote .
We ’ re trying to think about all the possible ways this could happen with the goal of restoring as much in-person learning as we can.
” While masks will be recommended , Glass said Jeffco is not requiring them unless public health guidance changes .
“ We did start in a place of requiring them , but we ’ re concerned about two things : younger kids fiddling with them all the time and touching their faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In addition to messing with the masks or touching faces , there are some things around teaching language and teaching reading where you need to see somebody ’ s mouth and face.
” “ You have to think ahead to the degree you can , and anticipate what ’ s going to happen , ” Glass said .
“ What got us in front of remote learning ahead of other districts is we were watching the virus as it moved already around the world and seeing what other school districts internationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release its fall reopening guidelines in early June .
Boulder Valley School District released a smaller set of guidelines last week explaining what school may look like in phases of reintroduction .
For phase two of its plan , BVSD said restrictions would permit resuming limited in-person learning activities for a small group of prioritized students who may not have equitable access to education through remote learning .
“ We just have to be adaptable , ” Jeffco Superintendent Glass said .
“ There ’ s a lot we still don ’ @ @ @ @

Come fall, Jeffco Public School students may head to their campuses on a scheduled rotation of in-person and remote learning to prevent too many kids and staff members congregating at once. Social distancing would be enforced during recess. Temperature checks and symptom screenings would be required to get in the doors, and masks would be recommended but not mandatory.
Jeffco Public Schools announced Friday the most comprehensive plan Coloradans have seen outlining what school might look like in the fall amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The plan is considered a draft to be amended by community input and changing public health guidelines, but it offers a glimpse into the murky future of trying to teach and learn after the highly contagious new coronavirus shuttered school buildings across the nation in March and disrupted education as we know it.
“We hear a lot from polar extremes,” said Jeffco Superintendent Jason Glass. “One side says there’s no way you can keep everybody safe and to keep everyone home. But there are costs to remote learning — academic costs, social, emotional and economic costs. It’s not risk-free to remain doing only remote learning.”
“Then we hear a lot from this other extreme that says it’s a hoax — that you should effectively pretend this isn’t happening and restore all in-person learning. We reject the extreme and polar opposites. We have to find a middle ground that restores in-person learning to the greatest extent we can, but we want to do so in a way that takes every prudent step to keep our staff and students safe.”
Jeffco looked to countries opening schools in other parts of the world for guidance along with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local public health guidelines and consulting with other districts across the Front Range, Glass said.
The plan looks at three approaches depending on how the pandemic plays out — a traditional return to school, a remote return or a mix. The most likely approach would be a hybrid plan featuring in-school elements including new coronavirus symptom screening, one-way paths throughout buildings with signs directing people where to go, keeping windows and doors open when safe to allow for fresh air circulation, and limiting the sharing of school supplies.
Eventually, Glass hopes testing for COVID-19 is readily available in the district.
Come fall, Glass expects social distancing guidelines of six-feet apart will remain in place, although he’s not sure how many people will be allowed to gather in a classroom.
“We have to look at how many square feet are in a classroom, how many individuals are in a classroom,” Glass said. “That means we’re not able to have everybody back. It will lead us to split schedules.”
Glass proposed ‘A’ and ‘B’ days or weeks where students would trade time spent learning from home with time in a classroom with a limited number of students and staff.
The plan said Jeffco would be flexible in scheduling educators based on their personal needs and the needs of their students.
“Another one of the challenges we have to design through is child care for our own teachers,” Glass said. “We can’t create a system where a teacher is working on an ‘A’ day but their child is at home that same day.”
There will be a remote-only option for parents who don’t want to send their children to school at all, Glass said.
Melissa Wallace — a Jeffco parent to elementary, middle and high school students — thinks it’s time to send students back. She said the mental health implications and academic repercussions of keeping kids learning from home and attached to their screens outweighs the risks of the new coronavirus for her family, although she said she understands others would feel differently depending on their health and age.
She also noted, although her family would be able to have a parent stay home with their kids, some families wouldn’t have the luxury.
“At what cost do we keep doing this?” Wallace said. “The reality as parents is we weigh risks every day for our kids. How far do we let this go before we say OK, maybe it’s time to weigh the risk? I don’t see that there is enough of a risk to my children. I have healthy kids, and I’m thankful for that. I feel like we should be able to make that decision for our family. We are fortunate enough we can make any situation they put out work, but if they tell me my 9-year-old is only able to go to school one day a week, maybe we look at some private school options.”
Jeffco seeks parent input on when the school year should begin. Some higher education institutions — like Denver’s private Regis University — are starting their academic calendars early in a bid to end the semester before a predicted wave of flu and a potential second wave of the new coronavirus.
Glass said this is a possibility, but starting later would allow for more preparation to get the fall semester right. Jeffco’s academic year was scheduled to begin Aug.18.
“We also should expect to have outbreaks or things happen over the course of this next year where we’d have to close school down over the next days and re-start again,” Glass said. “We may go through periods of in-person learning and remote. We’re trying to think about all the possible ways this could happen with the goal of restoring as much in-person learning as we can.”
While masks will be recommended, Glass said Jeffco is not requiring them unless public health guidance changes.
“We did start in a place of requiring them, but we’re concerned about two things: younger kids fiddling with them all the time and touching their faces may be worse,” Glass said. “In addition to messing with the masks or touching faces, there are some things around teaching language and teaching reading where you need to see somebody’s mouth and face.”
Jeffco leads metro Denver school districts in releasing its fall plan.
“You have to think ahead to the degree you can, and anticipate what’s going to happen,” Glass said. “What got us in front of remote learning ahead of other districts is we were watching the virus as it moved already around the world and seeing what other school districts internationally are doing.”
Denver Public Schools hopes to release its fall reopening guidelines in early June.
Boulder Valley School District released a smaller set of guidelines last week explaining what school may look like in phases of reintroduction.
For phase two of its plan, BVSD said restrictions would permit resuming limited in-person learning activities for a small group of prioritized students who may not have equitable access to education through remote learning.
“We just have to be adaptable,” Jeffco Superintendent Glass said. “There’s a lot we still don’t know.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Gov. Jared Polis prohibits state agencies from sharing information for civil immigration enforcement

Gov .
Jared Polis issued a directive this week to his departments and state agencies barring them from sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for civil enforcement .
Before the coronavirus public health crisis took hold in the state , Sen. Julie Gonzales was working with the Meyer Law Office on a bill that would prevent ICE from using state databases such as from the Department of Motor Vehicles to track immigrants .
It took a backseat as lawmakers focused on coronavirus response and budget cuts .
But the concern about ICE ’ s use of state information to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when people are trying to access assistance during a pandemic and economic shutdowns , so the advocates have been working with Polis to find another way to extend protections .
“ There ’ s a lot of anxiety people are facing , ” Gonzales , a Denver Democrat , said earlier this month .
The guidance calls for state agencies not to request information about a person ’ s immigration status or release it — except as required by state or federal law , for a legitimate law enforcement purpose or as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not providing it solely for civil federal immigration enforcement .
It also lays out requirements for keeping a written request log and providing quarterly reports .
Agencies have 30 days from Wednesday to adopt the policies .
“ Our communities are better and safer when all residents are full participants in society , including by engaging with their state government and accessing everything the government has to offer , ” Polis said in the document obtained by The Denver Post .
“ All should feel welcome to be the recipients of state services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or data.
” Arash Jahanian , director of policy and civil rights litigation for the Meyer Law Office , said the goal of the bill was to stop ICE from “ data mining ” state databases , but that ’ s not covered in the governor ’ s directive .
“ Is the guidance a step in the right direction ?
Yes , absolutely , ” Meyer Law Office principal Hans Meyer said .
“ But does it stop ICE from mining DMV databases ?
No .
Is personal information of immigrant communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
” A spokeswoman for ICE in Denver said the agency is still reviewing the directive .
ICE officials have denounced policies that prevent cooperation from local or state agencies , saying they target enforcement for people who pose the biggest threats to public safety and border security .
Governor ’ s office spokesman Conor Cahill said the guidance is not an executive order — which advocates had initially expected — but guidance on how agencies should treat requests for data for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Gov. Jared Polis issued a directive this week to his departments and state agencies barring them from sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for civil enforcement.
Before the coronavirus public health crisis took hold in the state, Sen. Julie Gonzales was working with the Meyer Law Office on a bill that would prevent ICE from using state databases such as from the Department of Motor Vehicles to track immigrants. It took a backseat as lawmakers focused on coronavirus response and budget cuts.
But the concern about ICE’s use of state information to deport immigrants is more heightened at a time when people are trying to access assistance during a pandemic and economic shutdowns, so the advocates have been working with Polis to find another way to extend protections.
“There’s a lot of anxiety people are facing,” Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, said earlier this month.
The guidance calls for state agencies not to request information about a person’s immigration status or release it — except as required by state or federal law, for a legitimate law enforcement purpose or as authorized by the governor. That includes not providing it solely for civil federal immigration enforcement. It also lays out requirements for keeping a written request log and providing quarterly reports. Agencies have 30 days from Wednesday to adopt the policies.
“Our communities are better and safer when all residents are full participants in society, including by engaging with their state government and accessing everything the government has to offer,” Polis said in the document obtained by The Denver Post. “All should feel welcome to be the recipients of state services without fear of abuse of their privacy or data.”
Arash Jahanian, director of policy and civil rights litigation for the Meyer Law Office, said the goal of the bill was to stop ICE from “data mining” state databases, but that’s not covered in the governor’s directive.
“Is the guidance a step in the right direction? Yes, absolutely,” Meyer Law Office principal Hans Meyer said. “But does it stop ICE from mining DMV databases? No. Is personal information of immigrant communities safe from ICE access? No. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done.”
A spokeswoman for ICE in Denver said the agency is still reviewing the directive. ICE officials have denounced policies that prevent cooperation from local or state agencies, saying they target enforcement for people who pose the biggest threats to public safety and border security.
Governor’s office spokesman Conor Cahill said the guidance is not an executive order — which advocates had initially expected — but guidance on how agencies should treat requests for data for “protecting the data of all Coloradans.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Hickenlooper says he won’t appear before Colorado ethics body for video trial in June

Former Colorado governor and current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper says he won ’ t appear for his own ethics trial if it proceeds by video , as currently scheduled .
In a motion filed Friday afternoon , Hickenlooper ’ s attorney , Marc Grueskin , said their camp is prepared to sue in Denver District Court if the state Independent Ethics Commission does not delay the hearing and allow for a new one at which Hickenlooper can consult in real time with his attorney .
Hickenlooper was accused in 2018 by the Public Trust Institute — a dark-money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that is run by the former Republican speaker of the Colorado House Frank McNulty — of violating Amendment 41 of the state Constitution , which bars state employees and officials from accepting gifts worth more than $ 53 per year .
The state ’ s Independent Ethics Commission spent more than a year investigating and focused its probe on a handful of flights the governor took during his last year in office .
The hearing in this case was supposed to take place in February , but it was pushed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The Commission settled on a June 4 virtual hearing , and it ’ s that plan that Hickenlooper is now opposing .
He would prefer the hearing be conducted in person or in writing .
If neither is allowed , Grueskin ’ s motion reads , “ the only reasonable course is to adjourn this proceeding so ( Hickenlooper ) and the Commission can obtain the decision of the Denver District Court regarding whether a compromised hearing satisfies Respondent ’ s fundamental due process rights.
” The motion continues : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission ’ s ability to assure those rights and guarantees , ( Hickenlooper ) has determined that , given the change in hearing format , he will not appear at the hearing as it is now scheduled.
” Suzanne Staiert , an attorney for the Public Trust Institute who is also a Republican candidate for the state Senate , says her camp has no objection to Hickenlooper wanting an in-person hearing .
In fact , they have previously pushed for one .
But , Staiert said she does object to the idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject present to testify .
“ We think the Ethics Commission needs to go to District Court and compel his attendance at the hearing , because he ’ s said numerous times he ’ s going to appear , and they have the power of subpoena , ” she said .

Former Colorado governor and current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper says he won’t appear for his own ethics trial if it proceeds by video, as currently scheduled.
In a motion filed Friday afternoon, Hickenlooper’s attorney, Marc Grueskin, said their camp is prepared to sue in Denver District Court if the state Independent Ethics Commission does not delay the hearing and allow for a new one at which Hickenlooper can consult in real time with his attorney.
Hickenlooper was accused in 2018 by the Public Trust Institute — a dark-money entity that formed just before the accusation, and that is run by the former Republican speaker of the Colorado House Frank McNulty — of violating Amendment 41 of the state Constitution, which bars state employees and officials from accepting gifts worth more than $53 per year.
The state’s Independent Ethics Commission spent more than a year investigating and focused its probe on a handful of flights the governor took during his last year in office.
The hearing in this case was supposed to take place in February, but it was pushed to March and then pushed again because of the coronavirus. The Commission settled on a June 4 virtual hearing, and it’s that plan that Hickenlooper is now opposing. He would prefer the hearing be conducted in person or in writing.
If neither is allowed, Grueskin’s motion reads, “the only reasonable course is to adjourn this proceeding so (Hickenlooper) and the Commission can obtain the decision of the Denver District Court regarding whether a compromised hearing satisfies Respondent’s fundamental due process rights.”
The motion continues: “Based on the uncertainty of this Commission’s ability to assure those rights and guarantees, (Hickenlooper) has determined that, given the change in hearing format, he will not appear at the hearing as it is now scheduled.”
Suzanne Staiert, an attorney for the Public Trust Institute who is also a Republican candidate for the state Senate, says her camp has no objection to Hickenlooper wanting an in-person hearing. In fact, they have previously pushed for one. But, Staiert said she does object to the idea that a hearing might go on without its subject present to testify.
“We think the Ethics Commission needs to go to District Court and compel his attendance at the hearing, because he’s said numerous times he’s going to appear, and they have the power of subpoena,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-23--Big Sky reduces conference basketball schedule for 2020-21 season to 16 games per team

The Big Sky will reduce its men ’ s and women ’ s basketball conference schedules to 16 games for each team during the 2020-21 season , the conference announced Friday .
The change will remove four games from the 20-game round robin played each of the previous two seasons by the 11-school league , which includes the University of Northern Colorado .
Finances played at least a small part in the decision , according to a statement from conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill .
“ This one-year adjustment to our conference basketball schedules is an appropriate measure that delivers significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing our basketball programs with more flexibility in their non-conference scheduling , ” Wistrcill said in a news release .
“ I applaud our schools ’ leaders for striking the right balance between providing opportunities for our student-athletes to compete while recognizing the need to make changes for the upcoming year.
” Conference season is slated to begin on New Year ’ s Eve , with the schedule to be released at a later date .
Geography will help decide which teams play each other twice , and which play each other once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to each school to decide whether or not it will replace its lost conference games with non-conference matchups .
The conference tournaments will still include all 11 schools and be held at CenturyLink Arena in Boise , Idaho , for the third straight year .
Those are scheduled for March 8-13 , 2021 .

The Big Sky will reduce its men’s and women’s basketball conference schedules to 16 games for each team during the 2020-21 season, the conference announced Friday.
The change will remove four games from the 20-game round robin played each of the previous two seasons by the 11-school league, which includes the University of Northern Colorado. Finances played at least a small part in the decision, according to a statement from conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill.
“This one-year adjustment to our conference basketball schedules is an appropriate measure that delivers significant cost savings to our member institutions while providing our basketball programs with more flexibility in their non-conference scheduling,” Wistrcill said in a news release. “I applaud our schools’ leaders for striking the right balance between providing opportunities for our student-athletes to compete while recognizing the need to make changes for the upcoming year.”
Conference season is slated to begin on New Year’s Eve, with the schedule to be released at a later date. Geography will help decide which teams play each other twice, and which play each other once in conference play. It is up to each school to decide whether or not it will replace its lost conference games with non-conference matchups.
The conference tournaments will still include all 11 schools and be held at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho, for the third straight year. Those are scheduled for March 8-13, 2021.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing has COVID-19

Georgetown coach and former Hoyas and Knicks star Patrick Ewing says he has tested positive for COVID-19 .
A statement @ @ @ @ @ said Ewing is at a local hospital .
The school said the 57-year-old coach is @ @ @ @ @ team to have tested positive for the coronavirus .
As a player , Ewing helped @ @ @ @ @ championship and reach two other title games .
He was taken by New York with @ @ @ @ @ pick in the 1985 NBA draft .

Georgetown coach and former Hoyas and Knicks star Patrick Ewing says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement issued by the university Friday said Ewing is at a local hospital. The school said the 57-year-old coach is the only member of his team to have tested positive for the coronavirus.
As a player, Ewing helped Georgetown win the 1984 NCAA championship and reach two other title games. He was taken by New York with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Joe Biden says he was too “cavalier” about black Trump backers

ATLANTA — Joe Biden declared he “ should not have been so cavalier ” on Friday when he told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee quickly moved to address the fallout from his remark .
In a call with the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce , added to his initial public schedule , Biden said he would never “ take the African American community for granted.
” That was an acknowledgement of the stinging criticism he received in response to his comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breakfast Club , ” a radio program that is popular in the black community .
The rebukes spanned from allies of Trump ’ s reelection campaign — anxious to go on offense after weeks of defending the president ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic — to some black activists , who warned that Biden still must to court black votes , even if African Americans do overwhelmingly oppose the president .
“ None of us can afford for the party or for this campaign to mess this election up , and comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either make black voters feel like we ’ re not really valued and people don ’ t care if we show up or not , ” said Alicia Garza , a Black Lives Matter co-founder and principal of Black Futures Lab .
Near the end of Biden ’ s appearance on the radio program , host Charlamagne Tha God , pressed him on reports that he is considering Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who is white , to be his vice presidential running mate .
The host told Biden black voters “ saved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ have things they want from you.
” Biden said that “ I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered .
Multiple.
” A Biden aide then sought to end the interview , prompting the host to say , “ You can ’ t do that to black media.
” Biden responded , “ I do that to black media and white media ” and said his wife needed to use the television studio .
He then added : “ If you ’ ve got a problem figuring out whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , then you ain ’ t black.
” The comments came at a critical point in the presidential campaign as Biden tries to revive the mutliracial and mulitgenerational coalition that twice elected Barack Obama , whom he served as vice president .
He has already committed to picking a woman as his running mate and is considering several African American contenders who could energize black voters .
But with black voters already opposed to Trump , Biden is also considering candidates such as Klobuchar .
Trump ’ s campaign and his allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the pandemic , immediately seized on Biden ’ s comments .
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , a Trump supporter and the Senate ’ s sole black Republican , said he was “ shocked and surprised ” by Biden ’ s remarks .
“ I thought to myself , as an African American , been black for 54 years , I was struck by the condescension and the arrogance in his comments , ” Scott said in a conference call quickly arranged by the Trump campaign .
“ I could not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low to tell folks what they should do , how they should think , and what it means to be black.
” Symone Sanders , a Biden senior adviser who is also black , said his comment in Friday ’ s interview was “ made in jest.
” “ Let ’ s be clear about what the VP was saying , ” Sanders tweeted .
“ He was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump ’ s any day .
Period.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to race .
When he launched his presidential campaign in 2015 , Trump called many Mexican immigrants “ rapists.
” Campaigning in 2016 , he asked black voters , “ what the hell do you have to lose ?
” In 2017 , he said there good people on “ both sides ” of the clash in Charlottesville , Virginia , between white supremacists and anti-racist demonstrators that left one counter-protester dead .
In 2018 , during a private White House meeting on immigration , Trump wondered why the United States was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries ” like African nations .
He also blasted four Democratic congresswomen of color , saying they hate America and should “ go back ” to where they come from , even though all are U.S. citizens and three were born in the U.S. Biden encouraged listeners on Friday to “ take a look at my record , ” citing his work as senator to extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 .
“ The NAACP has endorsed me every time I ’ ve run , ” he said .
“ Come on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Black voters helped resurrect Biden ’ s campaign in this year ’ s primaries with a second place finish in the Nevada caucuses and a resounding win in the South Carolina primary after he ’ d started with embarrassing finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire .
Sixty-one percent of black voters supported Biden during the primary season , according to AP VoteCast surveys across 17 states that voted in February and March .
There is little chance of a sudden shift to support for Trump among black voters .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of Trump , compared with 84 % who view him unfavorably .
Seventy-five percent of African American registered voters say they have a favorable view of Biden ; 21 % hold an unfavorable opinion .
There is a risk , however , of black voters , especially those who are younger , staying home in November , which could complicate Biden ’ s path to victory in a tight election .
The Breakfast Club is a particularly notable venue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is popular among younger African Americans .
Biden ’ s selection of a running mate could help motivate voters .
He ’ s begun vetting contenders , a process he ’ s said will likely last through July .
Several black women are among those under consideration , including California Sen. Kamala Harris , Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , Florida Rep. Val Demings , Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge and Susan Rice , Obama ’ s former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Associated Press writers Kat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report .

ATLANTA — Joe Biden declared he “should not have been so cavalier” on Friday when he told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ain’t black.”
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee quickly moved to address the fallout from his remark. In a call with the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce, added to his initial public schedule, Biden said he would never “take the African American community for granted.”
That was an acknowledgement of the stinging criticism he received in response to his comments, which he made on “The Breakfast Club,” a radio program that is popular in the black community.
The rebukes spanned from allies of Trump’s reelection campaign — anxious to go on offense after weeks of defending the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic — to some black activists, who warned that Biden still must to court black votes, even if African Americans do overwhelmingly oppose the president.
“None of us can afford for the party or for this campaign to mess this election up, and comments like these are the kinds that frankly either make black voters feel like we’re not really valued and people don’t care if we show up or not,” said Alicia Garza, a Black Lives Matter co-founder and principal of Black Futures Lab.
Near the end of Biden’s appearance on the radio program, host Charlamagne Tha God, pressed him on reports that he is considering Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is white, to be his vice presidential running mate. The host told Biden black voters “saved your political life in the primaries” and “have things they want from you.”
Biden said that “I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered. Multiple.”
A Biden aide then sought to end the interview, prompting the host to say, “You can’t do that to black media.”
Biden responded, “I do that to black media and white media” and said his wife needed to use the television studio.
He then added: “If you’ve got a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or for Trump, then you ain’t black.”
The comments came at a critical point in the presidential campaign as Biden tries to revive the mutliracial and mulitgenerational coalition that twice elected Barack Obama, whom he served as vice president. He has already committed to picking a woman as his running mate and is considering several African American contenders who could energize black voters. But with black voters already opposed to Trump, Biden is also considering candidates such as Klobuchar.
Trump’s campaign and his allies, on defense for weeks over Trump and the pandemic, immediately seized on Biden’s comments.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Trump supporter and the Senate’s sole black Republican, said he was “shocked and surprised” by Biden’s remarks.
“I thought to myself, as an African American, been black for 54 years, I was struck by the condescension and the arrogance in his comments,” Scott said in a conference call quickly arranged by the Trump campaign. “I could not believe my ears that he would stoop so low to tell folks what they should do, how they should think, and what it means to be black.”
Symone Sanders, a Biden senior adviser who is also black, said his comment in Friday’s interview was “made in jest.”
“Let’s be clear about what the VP was saying,” Sanders tweeted. “He was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day. Period.”
Trump himself has a history of incendiary rhetoric related to race.
When he launched his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump called many Mexican immigrants “rapists.” Campaigning in 2016, he asked black voters, “what the hell do you have to lose?”
In 2017, he said there good people on “both sides” of the clash in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white supremacists and anti-racist demonstrators that left one counter-protester dead.
In 2018, during a private White House meeting on immigration, Trump wondered why the United States was admitting so many immigrants from “shithole countries” like African nations. He also blasted four Democratic congresswomen of color, saying they hate America and should “go back” to where they come from, even though all are U.S. citizens and three were born in the U.S.
Biden encouraged listeners on Friday to “take a look at my record,” citing his work as senator to extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“The NAACP has endorsed me every time I’ve run,” he said. “Come on, take a look at my record.”
Black voters helped resurrect Biden’s campaign in this year’s primaries with a second place finish in the Nevada caucuses and a resounding win in the South Carolina primary after he’d started with embarrassing finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire. Sixty-one percent of black voters supported Biden during the primary season, according to AP VoteCast surveys across 17 states that voted in February and March.
There is little chance of a sudden shift to support for Trump among black voters. A recent Fox News poll shows just 14% of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of Trump, compared with 84% who view him unfavorably.
Seventy-five percent of African American registered voters say they have a favorable view of Biden; 21% hold an unfavorable opinion.
There is a risk, however, of black voters, especially those who are younger, staying home in November, which could complicate Biden’s path to victory in a tight election. The Breakfast Club is a particularly notable venue for Biden’s comments because the program is popular among younger African Americans.
Biden’s selection of a running mate could help motivate voters. He’s begun vetting contenders, a process he’s said will likely last through July.
Several black women are among those under consideration, including California Sen. Kamala Harris, Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Florida Rep. Val Demings, Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge and Susan Rice, Obama’s former U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
__
Associated Press writers Kat Stafford in Detroit and Jill Colvin and Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Colorado reports coronavirus has killed 1,088 people as 444 remain hospitalized

Colorado health officials on Friday reported 1,324 people who had contracted COVID-19 have died since the new coronavirus was first confirmed in the state , and that death-certificate data shows 1,088 fatalities were directly due to the virus .
That ’ s an increase of 14 deaths of people with the virus , and 26 more fatalities from COVID-19 , over the previous day ’ s tallies , though it doesn ’ t mean the deaths all occurred in one day .
There ’ s a lag in reporting deaths to the state health department — particularly death-certificate data .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health and Environment revamped the way it reports deaths related to the new coronavirus , listing the total number of fatalities in which the person had the virus as well as the number of deaths that have been directly attributed to COVID-19 on a death certificate .
There have been 4,082 people hospitalized since the outbreak first was confirmed in the state in early March , though only 444 people were hospitalized with symptoms of the illness as of Friday afternoon , state data shows .
At least 48 people since Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lower level of care , like a rehabilitation facility .
Additionally , as of Thursday , there were 339 critical care ventilators being used across the state , down from 463 a month ago , according to state data .
To date , 23,487 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus , though health officials have said the true number is closer to 167,000 .
Officials recorded 3,608 tests on Thursday as the state ramps up its capabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing rate — 63.7 tests per 100,000 people per day — has improved drastically since the beginning of the pandemic but falls short of the 152-per-100,000 daily number that health experts say is necessary to safely monitor the outbreak .
Much of the testing has been focused on senior living facilities and other care homes , though Gov .
Jared Polis on Monday announced that anybody in the state showing COVID-19 symptoms can now get tested for free .
Officials have confirmed outbreaks at 260 contained facilities across the state , including nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s four more than the previous day .
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what ’ s reported up from Colorado ’ s counties ; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day , they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state .

Colorado health officials on Friday reported 1,324 people who had contracted COVID-19 have died since the new coronavirus was first confirmed in the state, and that death-certificate data shows 1,088 fatalities were directly due to the virus.
That’s an increase of 14 deaths of people with the virus, and 26 more fatalities from COVID-19, over the previous day’s tallies, though it doesn’t mean the deaths all occurred in one day. There’s a lag in reporting deaths to the state health department — particularly death-certificate data.
Last week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment revamped the way it reports deaths related to the new coronavirus, listing the total number of fatalities in which the person had the virus as well as the number of deaths that have been directly attributed to COVID-19 on a death certificate.
There have been 4,082 people hospitalized since the outbreak first was confirmed in the state in early March, though only 444 people were hospitalized with symptoms of the illness as of Friday afternoon, state data shows. At least 48 people since Thursday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
Additionally, as of Thursday, there were 339 critical care ventilators being used across the state, down from 463 a month ago, according to state data.
To date, 23,487 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus, though health officials have said the true number is closer to 167,000.
Officials recorded 3,608 tests on Thursday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus. The testing rate — 63.7 tests per 100,000 people per day — has improved drastically since the beginning of the pandemic but falls short of the 152-per-100,000 daily number that health experts say is necessary to safely monitor the outbreak.
Much of the testing has been focused on senior living facilities and other care homes, though Gov. Jared Polis on Monday announced that anybody in the state showing COVID-19 symptoms can now get tested for free. Officials have confirmed outbreaks at 260 contained facilities across the state, including nursing homes, jails and factories. That’s four more than the previous day.
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what’s reported up from Colorado’s counties; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day, they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state.