thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Polis warns of “third wave” as Colorado sees acceleration of COVID-19 spread across all age groups

Though Colorado ’ s rising number of COVID-19 cases has been fueled by the “ significant outbreak ” among college-aged people , state officials warned Tuesday that all age groups now are seeing increased infections .
Gov .
Jared Polis cautioned that Colorado risks “ a big third wave ” of coronavirus cases if people don ’ t stay vigilant by wearing masks , keeping their distance from others and avoiding large gatherings — especially indoors .
“ This is a warning sign for us , just as we had a warning sign in July and we were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference .
“ We need to do a little bit better.
” Colorado last week recorded its third consecutive seven-day period of increasing COVID-19 infections as the weekly case count reached a level not seen since the end of the state ’ s second spike in cases this summer .
Polis said public health officials are seeing two big trends : the “ significant outbreak ” among 18- to 25-year-olds , who are primarily college students and mostly at the University of Colorado Boulder ; and the “ even more alarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latter rise is not tied to the campus outbreaks , he said .
“ It ’ s equally important to recognize that we are seeing an overall increase in all age groups , ” state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said , stressing “ there ’ s an acceleration of disease transmission occurring in this state.
” The first two weeks of September saw 2 % and 6 % week-over-week increases in COVID cases statewide , respectively — followed last week by a 54 % spike , Herlihy said .
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were 148 people hospitalized with the virus statewide on Tuesday , according to state data .
Polis noted that among 18- to 25-year-olds — who are not at the highest risk for complications — the hospitalization rate for COVID-19 is only 1 % to 2 % .
Testing increased in Colorado last week , Herlihy noted , but so did the rate at which coronavirus tests come back positive .
“ That ’ s an indicator that we are seeing a true increase in the amount of disease transmission that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Though Colorado’s rising number of COVID-19 cases has been fueled by the “significant outbreak” among college-aged people, state officials warned Tuesday that all age groups now are seeing increased infections.
Gov. Jared Polis cautioned that Colorado risks “a big third wave” of coronavirus cases if people don’t stay vigilant by wearing masks, keeping their distance from others and avoiding large gatherings — especially indoors.
“This is a warning sign for us, just as we had a warning sign in July and we were able to correct course,” Polis said during a news conference. “We need to do a little bit better.”
Colorado last week recorded its third consecutive seven-day period of increasing COVID-19 infections as the weekly case count reached a level not seen since the end of the state’s second spike in cases this summer.
Polis said public health officials are seeing two big trends: the “significant outbreak” among 18- to 25-year-olds, who are primarily college students and mostly at the University of Colorado Boulder; and the “even more alarming” increase in every other age group. The latter rise is not tied to the campus outbreaks, he said.
“It’s equally important to recognize that we are seeing an overall increase in all age groups,” state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said, stressing “there’s an acceleration of disease transmission occurring in this state.”
The first two weeks of September saw 2% and 6% week-over-week increases in COVID cases statewide, respectively — followed last week by a 54% spike, Herlihy said.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19, however, remain stable in Colorado. There were 148 people hospitalized with the virus statewide on Tuesday, according to state data. Polis noted that among 18- to 25-year-olds — who are not at the highest risk for complications — the hospitalization rate for COVID-19 is only 1% to 2%.
Testing increased in Colorado last week, Herlihy noted, but so did the rate at which coronavirus tests come back positive.
“That’s an indicator that we are seeing a true increase in the amount of disease transmission that’s occurring in our state,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--What to expect for the first Broncos game with fans during the pandemic

Alas , there won ’ t be 77,000 fans chest-bumping and screaming at the top of their lungs for a defensive stop Sunday inside Empower Field at Mile High .
But for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March , a limited number of Denver ’ s diehards will be able to attend a major professional sports event in person .
Around 5,700 people are expected to loudly boo Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the Broncos go for their first win of the 2020 season Sunday afternoon .
The game-day experience is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what to expect if you ’ re going to Mile High : Arriving at the stadium ( sorry , no tailgating ) In the interest of social distancing , the time-honored tradition of grilling , throwing the pigskin and tossing back a few beers before the game in the parking lot will not be allowed this season .
“ We hated doing it , ” said Jay Roberts , the stadium general manager .
“ But we were not comfortable with the day starting out with everyone hanging out.
” Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around an hour before kickoff , and to head right to their seats .
All gates will be open , but tickets will identify the gate of entry into the stadium .
Unlike some teams , the Broncos are not mandating entry times , but officials say 5,700 people spread out over time across all the gates will eliminate lines .
Except when eating , fans are required to wear a mask at all times — from the moment they approach the stadium to the moment they leave after the game .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay away .
The team ’ s “ Fan Health Promise ” bars anyone from entering the stadium if they have tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days prior , or have traveled to any state or territory that is subject to travel or quarantine advisories due to the novel coronavirus .
Spacing and sanitizing will be plentiful inside the stadium .
The team set up more than 550 hand-sanitizing stations and stuck 39,000 decals around the stadium to enforce six feet of space in concession lines and restrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 7 % capacity , most of the concession stands will be open , Roberts said , and the process will be entirely cashless .
As far as the bathrooms go , the Broncos installed touchless urinals , sinks and paper-towel dispensers to eliminate high-touch areas .
• Tim Patrick ready to step up alongside Jerry Jeudy , KJ Hamler and other Broncos wideouts in wake of Courtland Sutton ’ s injury • Broncos Mailbag : Why didn ’ t Melvin Gordon get a chance on third- or fourth-down Sunday on final drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos ’ Vic Fangio — and teams for not covering faces Fans will be seated in “ pods ” with at least six feet of distance between their group and another set of fans .
Seats without fans have been blocked off , with at least two rows of space between groups .
Fans are advised to not high-five or mingle with other fans in a crowd .
“ The state was really concerned about people meeting in the stadium , ” Roberts said .
For those who refuse to comply with orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is an escalation process in place that could lead to noncompliant people being kicked out of the game .
Congregation areas around the stadium also have been closed .
“ We wouldn ’ t invite fans if we didn ’ t think it would be safe , ” Roberts said .

Alas, there won’t be 77,000 fans chest-bumping and screaming at the top of their lungs for a defensive stop Sunday inside Empower Field at Mile High. But for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, a limited number of Denver’s diehards will be able to attend a major professional sports event in person.
Around 5,700 people are expected to loudly boo Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the Broncos go for their first win of the 2020 season Sunday afternoon.
The game-day experience is going to be a little different, but here’s what to expect if you’re going to Mile High:
Arriving at the stadium (sorry, no tailgating)
In the interest of social distancing, the time-honored tradition of grilling, throwing the pigskin and tossing back a few beers before the game in the parking lot will not be allowed this season.
“We hated doing it,” said Jay Roberts, the stadium general manager. “But we were not comfortable with the day starting out with everyone hanging out.”
Instead, the team requests fans show up around an hour before kickoff, and to head right to their seats.
All gates will be open, but tickets will identify the gate of entry into the stadium. Unlike some teams, the Broncos are not mandating entry times, but officials say 5,700 people spread out over time across all the gates will eliminate lines.
Mask-wearing is a must
Except when eating, fans are required to wear a mask at all times — from the moment they approach the stadium to the moment they leave after the game.
Those who are sick have been told to stay away.
The team’s “Fan Health Promise” bars anyone from entering the stadium if they have tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days prior, or have traveled to any state or territory that is subject to travel or quarantine advisories due to the novel coronavirus.
Food and restrooms
Spacing and sanitizing will be plentiful inside the stadium.
The team set up more than 550 hand-sanitizing stations and stuck 39,000 decals around the stadium to enforce six feet of space in concession lines and restrooms.
Even though the stadium will be at 7% capacity, most of the concession stands will be open, Roberts said, and the process will be entirely cashless.
As far as the bathrooms go, the Broncos installed touchless urinals, sinks and paper-towel dispensers to eliminate high-touch areas.
Seating and watching the game
Fans will be seated in “pods” with at least six feet of distance between their group and another set of fans. Seats without fans have been blocked off, with at least two rows of space between groups.
Fans are advised to not high-five or mingle with other fans in a crowd.
“The state was really concerned about people meeting in the stadium,” Roberts said.
For those who refuse to comply with orders involving distancing or mask-wearing, he said, there is an escalation process in place that could lead to noncompliant people being kicked out of the game.
Congregation areas around the stadium also have been closed.
“We wouldn’t invite fans if we didn’t think it would be safe,” Roberts said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Colorado Rapids announce final nine games on 2020 schedule

The Colorado Rapids announced the rest of their 2020 MLS regular season Wednesday , with nine more matches added to the schedule .
In total , the Rapids have 11 matches left until Decision Day , which falls on Nov. 8 , with all 11 coming against Western Conference teams , including two home matches this week — Wednesday against San Jose and Sunday against Kansas City .
The Rapids will play six home games and five on the road .
Up to 1,165 fans ( 6 % capacity ) will soon be able to attend matches at Dick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time since MLS halted play March 7 .
The specific date for when fans will return , however , has yet to be announced .
The club ’ s plan for hosting fans was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health Environment last Friday .
The top eight teams in the Western Conference will advance straight to the first round of the playoffs , which has been expanded to 18 teams in 2020 .
Designated player Younes Namli is not expected to play in the Rapids ’ match Wednesday after he left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. Galaxy with an injury .
Striker Diego Rubio missed Saturday ’ s game and will be a game-time decision Wednesday .
Saturday , Oct. 3 — at Portland Timbers ; 8 p.m. Wednesday , Oct. 7 — LAFC ; 7 p.m. Saturday , Oct. 10 — LA Galaxy ; 5 p.m. Wednesday , Oct.14 — at Seattle Sounders FC ; 8 p.m. Sunday , Oct. 18 — Real Salt Lake ; 7 p.m. Saturday , Oct. 24 — at Sporting Kansas City ; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday , Oct. 28 — at Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 1 — Seattle Sounders FC ; 7 p.m. Sunday , Nov. 8 — at Houston Dynamo ; 4:30 p.m .

The Colorado Rapids announced the rest of their 2020 MLS regular season Wednesday, with nine more matches added to the schedule.
In total, the Rapids have 11 matches left until Decision Day, which falls on Nov. 8, with all 11 coming against Western Conference teams, including two home matches this week — Wednesday against San Jose and Sunday against Kansas City. The Rapids will play six home games and five on the road.
Up to 1,165 fans (6% capacity) will soon be able to attend matches at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for the first time since MLS halted play March 7. The specific date for when fans will return, however, has yet to be announced. The club’s plan for hosting fans was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health Environment last Friday.
The top eight teams in the Western Conference will advance straight to the first round of the playoffs, which has been expanded to 18 teams in 2020.
Designated player Younes Namli is not expected to play in the Rapids’ match Wednesday after he left Saturday night’s win over the L.A. Galaxy with an injury. Striker Diego Rubio missed Saturday’s game and will be a game-time decision Wednesday.
New matches
Saturday, Oct. 3 — at Portland Timbers; 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 — LAFC; 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — LA Galaxy; 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct.14 — at Seattle Sounders FC; 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18 — Real Salt Lake; 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — at Sporting Kansas City; 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28 — at Minnesota United FC; 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1 — Seattle Sounders FC; 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8 — at Houston Dynamo; 4:30 p.m.


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Tommy DeVito, founding member of the Four Seasons, dies

NEWARK , N.J. — Tommy DeVito , a founding member of the 1960s Four Seasons band , has died from @ @ @ @ @ of 92 , NJ.com reported .
His former bandmate Frankie Vallie wrote in a post @ @ @ @ @ died , and said , “ We send our love to his family during this @ @ @ @ @ Alfred Nittoli said in a separate Facebook post that DeVito died Monday evening in Las @ @ @ @ @ 92 .
DeVito along with Valli , Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi founded the Four @ @ @ @ @ huge hits like , ″Can ’ t Take My Eyes Off You , ” and @ @ @ @ @ Night.
” The Broadway musical Jersey Boys , which opened in 2005 , tells the @ @ @ @ @ The musical eventually won a Tony award for best musical , a Grammy Award for @ @ @ @ @ was made into a feature film .

NEWARK, N.J. — Tommy DeVito, a founding member of the 1960s Four Seasons band, has died from the coronavirus at the age of 92, NJ.com reported.
His former bandmate Frankie Vallie wrote in a post on Facebook that DeVito had died, and said, “We send our love to his family during this most difficult time.”
Actor Alfred Nittoli said in a separate Facebook post that DeVito died Monday evening in Las Vegas at the age of 92.
DeVito along with Valli, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi founded the Four Seasons in 1960 and sang huge hits like, ″Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and “Oh, What a Night.”
The Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which opened in 2005, tells the story of the band. The musical eventually won a Tony award for best musical, a Grammy Award for best cast album, and was made into a feature film.


thedenverpost--2020-09-22--Adams County sheriff’s deputy arrested on suspicion of child abuse causing injury

A 30-year-old Adams County sheriff ’ s deputy has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse causing serious bodily injury @ @ @ @ @ , of Brighton , was arrested after police were called to Children ’ s Hospital @ @ @ @ @ involving an infant child , according to a news release .
“ The alleged assault @ @ @ @ @ home in Brighton in the early morning hours of September 18 , ” police said @ @ @ @ @ deputy since September of 2016 and he worked at the jail , according to the @ @ @ @ @ He has been place on administrative leave , per policy , pending the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ will present their felony case against Sheetz to the Adams County District Attorney ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the release said .

A 30-year-old Adams County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse causing serious bodily injury.
Robert Joseph Slater Sheetz, of Brighton, was arrested after police were called to Children’s Hospital on a child abuse report involving an infant child, according to a news release.
“The alleged assault occurred at the Sheetz family home in Brighton in the early morning hours of September 18,” police said.
Sheetz has been a deputy since September of 2016 and he worked at the jail, according to the sheriff’s office. He has been place on administrative leave, per policy, pending the outcome of the case.
Police investigators will present their felony case against Sheetz to the Adams County District Attorney’s Office later this week, the release said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-22--High court front-runner hailed by right, feared by left

CHICAGO — A front-runner to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a federal appellate judge who has established herself as a reliable conservative on hot-button legal issues from abortion to gun control .
Amy Coney Barrett , a devout Catholic , is hailed by religious conservatives and others on the right as an ideological heir to conservative icon Antonin Scalia , the late Supreme Court justice for whom she clerked .
Barrett met with Trump at the White House on Monday , according a person familiar with the vetting process who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anonymity .
Liberals say Barrett ’ s legal views are too heavily influenced by her religious beliefs and fear her ascent to the nation ’ s highest court could lead to a scaling back of hard-fought abortion rights .
She also would replace the justice who is best-known for fighting for women ’ s rights and equality .
President Donald Trump has said he ’ ll nominate a woman and Barrett is thought to be at the top of his list of favorites .
The Chicago-based 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 for Trump ’ s second nomination to the high court , which eventually went to Brett Kavanaugh after Justice Anthony Kennedy retired .
Barrett ’ s selection now could help Trump energize his base weeks before Election Day .
At just 48 , Barrett would be the youngest justice and her tenure could last for decades .
She ’ s made her mark in law primarily as an academic at the University of Notre Dame , where she began teaching at age 30 .
She first donned judges ’ robes in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit .
But she wouldn ’ t be the only justice with little prior experience as a judge : John Roberts and Clarence Thomas spent less time as appellate judges before their Supreme Court nominations and Elena Kagan had never been a judge before President Barack Obama nominated her in 2009 .
Barrett mentioned Kagan when asked in a White House questionnaire in 2017 about which justices she admired most , saying Kagan brought to the bench “ the knowledge and skill she acquired as an academic to the practical resolution of disputes.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arose in 2018 as a possible Trump pick , even some conservatives worried her sparse judicial record made it too hard to predict how she might rule .
Nearly three years on , her judicial record now includes the authorship of around 100 opinions and several telling dissents in which Barrett displayed her clear and consistent conservative bent .
She has long expressed sympathy with a mode of interpreting the Constitution , called originalism , in which justices try to decipher original meanings of texts in assessing if someone ’ s rights have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict approach , saying it is too rigid and doesn ’ t allow the Constitution to change with the times .
Barrett ’ s fondness for original texts was on display in a 2019 dissent in a gun-rights case in which she argued a person convicted of a nonviolent felony shouldn ’ t be automatically barred from owning a gun .
All but a few pages of her 37-page dissent were devoted to the history of gun rules for convicted criminals in the 18th and 19th centuries .
And , all indications are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though she has often side-stepped answering questions about the topic .
In the 2017 White House questionnaire , Barrett was asked if it was her view that abortion was always immoral .
She didn ’ t answer the question directly but said : “ If I am confirmed ( to the 7th Circuit ) , my views on this or any other question will have no bearing on the discharge of my duties as a judge.
” In a 2013 Texas Law Review article , Barrett listed fewer than 10 cases she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ones that no justice would dare reverse even if they believed they were wrongly decided .
Among them was Brown vs. Board of Education , which declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional .
One she didn ’ t include on the list : Roe v. Wade , the 1973 landmark case that affirmed a woman ’ s right to abortion .
Scholars don ’ t include it , she wrote , because public controversy swirling around it has never abated .
Abortion and women ’ s rights were the focus of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nomination to the 7th Circuit .
Others pointed to Barrett ’ s membership of the University of Notre Dame ’ s “ Faculty for Life ” group — and that she had signed a 2015 letter to Catholic bishops affirming the “ value of human life from conception to natural death.
” Sen. Dianne Feinstein told Barrett her views suggested religious tenets could guide her thinking on the law , the California Democrat telling Barrett : “ The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.
” Barrett responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she agreed judges shouldn ’ t “ follow their personal convictions in the decision of a case , rather than what the law requires.
” Sen. Chuck Grassley , an Iowa Republican , criticized Democrats for pressing Barrett on her faith , saying it could be seen as a “ religious test ” for the job .
The Senate eventually confirmed her in a 55-43 vote , with three Democrats joined the majority .
Her nearly three-year stint as a judge has included at least one abortion-related case .
An 2018 ruling by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana law requiring the burial of fetal remains after an abortion or miscarriage , and prohibiting clinics from treating the remains as waste .
The law , signed by then-Gov .
Mike Pence , also barred abortions on the basis on the race , sex or disabilities of the fetus .
Barrett joined three conservative judges in asking for the ruling to be tossed and for the full court to rehear the case .
They didn ’ t have the votes to force a rehearing .
But they issued a joint dissent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought the Indiana law was constitutional .
The dissent , written by Judge Frank Easterbrook , argued that Indiana ’ s law would have been upheld “ had it concerned the remains of cats or gerbils.
” Barrett was raised in New Orleans , the eldest child of a lawyer for Shell Oil Co. She earned her undergraduate degree in English literature in 1994 at Rhodes College in Memphis , Tenn. She and her husband , Jesse Barrett , a former federal prosecutor , both graduated from Notre Dame Law School .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Haiti and one with special needs .
Before her clerkship with Scalia from 1998 to 1999 , Barrett served as law clerk for Laurence Silberman for a year at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit .
Between clerkships and entering academia , she worked from 1999 to 2001 at the Miller , Cassidy , Larroca & Lewin law firm in Washington , D.C. Associated Press Writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report .
Biesecker reported from Washington .

CHICAGO — A front-runner to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a federal appellate judge who has established herself as a reliable conservative on hot-button legal issues from abortion to gun control.
Amy Coney Barrett, a devout Catholic, is hailed by religious conservatives and others on the right as an ideological heir to conservative icon Antonin Scalia, the late Supreme Court justice for whom she clerked. Barrett met with Trump at the White House on Monday, according a person familiar with the vetting process who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Liberals say Barrett’s legal views are too heavily influenced by her religious beliefs and fear her ascent to the nation’s highest court could lead to a scaling back of hard-fought abortion rights. She also would replace the justice who is best-known for fighting for women’s rights and equality.
President Donald Trump has said he’ll nominate a woman and Barrett is thought to be at the top of his list of favorites. The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge was considered a finalist in 2018 for Trump’s second nomination to the high court, which eventually went to Brett Kavanaugh after Justice Anthony Kennedy retired. Barrett’s selection now could help Trump energize his base weeks before Election Day.
At just 48, Barrett would be the youngest justice and her tenure could last for decades. She’s made her mark in law primarily as an academic at the University of Notre Dame, where she began teaching at age 30. She first donned judges’ robes in 2017 after Trump nominated her to the 7th Circuit.
But she wouldn’t be the only justice with little prior experience as a judge: John Roberts and Clarence Thomas spent less time as appellate judges before their Supreme Court nominations and Elena Kagan had never been a judge before President Barack Obama nominated her in 2009.
Barrett mentioned Kagan when asked in a White House questionnaire in 2017 about which justices she admired most, saying Kagan brought to the bench “the knowledge and skill she acquired as an academic to the practical resolution of disputes.”
When Barrett’s name first arose in 2018 as a possible Trump pick, even some conservatives worried her sparse judicial record made it too hard to predict how she might rule. Nearly three years on, her judicial record now includes the authorship of around 100 opinions and several telling dissents in which Barrett displayed her clear and consistent conservative bent.
She has long expressed sympathy with a mode of interpreting the Constitution, called originalism, in which justices try to decipher original meanings of texts in assessing if someone’s rights have been violated. Many liberals oppose that strict approach, saying it is too rigid and doesn’t allow the Constitution to change with the times.
Barrett’s fondness for original texts was on display in a 2019 dissent in a gun-rights case in which she argued a person convicted of a nonviolent felony shouldn’t be automatically barred from owning a gun. All but a few pages of her 37-page dissent were devoted to the history of gun rules for convicted criminals in the 18th and 19th centuries.
And, all indications are that Barrett is staunchly opposed to abortion, though she has often side-stepped answering questions about the topic.
In the 2017 White House questionnaire, Barrett was asked if it was her view that abortion was always immoral. She didn’t answer the question directly but said: “If I am confirmed (to the 7th Circuit), my views on this or any other question will have no bearing on the discharge of my duties as a judge.”
In a 2013 Texas Law Review article, Barrett listed fewer than 10 cases she said are widely considered “super-precedents,” ones that no justice would dare reverse even if they believed they were wrongly decided. Among them was Brown vs. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional.
One she didn’t include on the list: Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that affirmed a woman’s right to abortion. Scholars don’t include it, she wrote, because public controversy swirling around it has never abated.
Abortion and women’s rights were the focus of a bruising 2017 confirmation process after Barrett’s nomination to the 7th Circuit.
Others pointed to Barrett’s membership of the University of Notre Dame’s “Faculty for Life” group — and that she had signed a 2015 letter to Catholic bishops affirming the “value of human life from conception to natural death.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein told Barrett her views suggested religious tenets could guide her thinking on the law, the California Democrat telling Barrett: “The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.”
Barrett responded that her views had evolved and that she agreed judges shouldn’t “follow their personal convictions in the decision of a case, rather than what the law requires.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, criticized Democrats for pressing Barrett on her faith, saying it could be seen as a “religious test” for the job.
The Senate eventually confirmed her in a 55-43 vote, with three Democrats joined the majority.
Her nearly three-year stint as a judge has included at least one abortion-related case.
An 2018 ruling by a 7th Circuit panel declared unconstitutional an Indiana law requiring the burial of fetal remains after an abortion or miscarriage, and prohibiting clinics from treating the remains as waste. The law, signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence, also barred abortions on the basis on the race, sex or disabilities of the fetus.
Barrett joined three conservative judges in asking for the ruling to be tossed and for the full court to rehear the case. They didn’t have the votes to force a rehearing. But they issued a joint dissent on the rehearing decision, clearly suggesting they thought the Indiana law was constitutional.
The dissent, written by Judge Frank Easterbrook, argued that Indiana’s law would have been upheld “had it concerned the remains of cats or gerbils.”
Barrett was raised in New Orleans, the eldest child of a lawyer for Shell Oil Co. She earned her undergraduate degree in English literature in 1994 at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. She and her husband, Jesse Barrett, a former federal prosecutor, both graduated from Notre Dame Law School. They have seven children, including two adopted from Haiti and one with special needs.
Before her clerkship with Scalia from 1998 to 1999, Barrett served as law clerk for Laurence Silberman for a year at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Between clerkships and entering academia, she worked from 1999 to 2001 at the Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin law firm in Washington, D.C.
___
Associated Press Writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report. Biesecker reported from Washington.


thedenverpost--2020-09-22--Some Dems, not yet Biden, talk of expanding Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — The prospect that President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans will fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s Supreme Court seat before the year is out has ignited a call for major changes on the court , including expanding the number of justices .
Some Democratic senators , who had been averse to increasing the size of the nine-member court , said in the wake of Ginsburg ’ s death that the Republican rush to fill the high court vacancy could be a breaking point .
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey said on Twitter that if Republicans don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election to select the next justice , “ we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court.
” But the sudden vacancy also is fueling tensions among Democrats .
While some progressives are urging presidential nominee Joe Biden to embrace reforms including adding justices to the court , he has so far resisted embracing such a major change .
Biden , who ran a relatively centrist primary campaign and spent 36 years in the Senate , is concerned that such moves would worsen divisions during a particularly polarized moment in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of the court for the first time in 150 years would come back to bite the Democrats , leading to further expansion when Republicans next control both Congress and the White House .
Faced with a 6-3 conservative court as the new year begins , Democrats would need to add four seats to overcome the Republicans ’ edge .
With a 15-justice court , just two more additions by the Republicans would solidify their advantage .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pushed back against Democratic talk of expanding the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 2019 interview with NPR in which she said ” packing the court was a bad idea when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt tried it and I ’ m not in favor of all of that.
” Democrats said almost nothing about the Supreme Court at their convention in August .
That changed in an instant over the weekend .
“ Nothing is off the table ” for Senate rules changes if Republicans quickly confirm a new justice , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned in conference call Saturday with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the private call who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
If Democrats win control of the Senate in the November elections , they probably would need to get rid of the filibuster , the Senate rule that requires 60 votes rather than a simple majority for most legislation , before they could move on legislative changes that might include the size of the court .
For now at least , Biden is spurning talk of court expansion , dubbed “ court packing ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does include support for amorphous “ structural court reforms to increase transparency and accountability.
” Biden believes such a major change would only contribute to further “ escalation ” surrounding the courts , said a top Biden aide granted anonymity to speak about internal conversations .
In the Democratic primaries , Biden prevailed over candidates who supported big changes for the court , including former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Buttigieg proposed expanding the high court to 15 , but not simply by allowing the sitting president to amplify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His plan would have five justices preferred by Democrats and five by Republicans .
Those 10 justices then would select their other five colleagues .
Like Biden , leaders of several progressive groups said their focus is on stopping a Trump nominee .
But several said in a conference call this weekend that they ’ d consider all options if they fail .
“ Nothing is off the table .
The legitimacy of the court and our democracy is at stake , ” said Vanita Gupta , president of the Leadership Conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been more than 80 years since expanding the size of the court has received serious discussion .
In 1937 , Roosevelt tried and failed to add seats to a court on which aging conservative justices had struck down several New Deal programs .
Roosevelt lost the fight in Congress over court expansion , though retirements soon eliminated FDR ’ s need for legislation .
One of the attractions of court expansion is that it does not require amending the Constitution , as imposing term limits on justices might .
The court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation .
The number of seats varied during its first 80 years from a low of six at the time the Constitution took effect in 1789 to a high of 10 during the Civil War .
The current tally of nine justices was set in an 1869 law .
Congress might also act to impose term limits , but any change is likely to draw a legal challenge because the only limit set by the Constitution is that federal judges “ shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour.
” They can be impeached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to retire .
Several progressive groups have been pushing structural court changes essentially since Trump took office and appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch to fill a vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s death in 2016 .
President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for the seat , but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to act on the nomination in the 2016 election year .
McConnell has said he will press to confirm Trump ’ s nominee to fill the latest election-year opening .
Expanding the court “ is the only logical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stealing another seat and confirming someone at this late date in the calendar , ” said Christopher Kang , co-founder and chief counsel of Demand Justice , a leading group urging Democrats to embrace changes to the court .
Political scientist Aaron Belkin , whose Take Back the Court group also favors court expansion , said the issue will only grow in prominence in the event of Democratic victories this fall if a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives were then to strike down civil rights and other legislation passed by a Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conversation about court expansion is not so much about the court but restoring democracy .
This court is not going to allow a Biden administration to restore democracy , ” Belkin said .
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe , Deb Riechmann and Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines , Iowa , contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — The prospect that President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans will fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat before the year is out has ignited a call for major changes on the court, including expanding the number of justices.
Some Democratic senators, who had been averse to increasing the size of the nine-member court, said in the wake of Ginsburg’s death that the Republican rush to fill the high court vacancy could be a breaking point.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey said on Twitter that if Republicans don’t allow the winner of the Nov. 3 presidential election to select the next justice, “we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court.”
But the sudden vacancy also is fueling tensions among Democrats. While some progressives are urging presidential nominee Joe Biden to embrace reforms including adding justices to the court, he has so far resisted embracing such a major change.
Biden, who ran a relatively centrist primary campaign and spent 36 years in the Senate, is concerned that such moves would worsen divisions during a particularly polarized moment in American history.
Another worry is that changing the size of the court for the first time in 150 years would come back to bite the Democrats, leading to further expansion when Republicans next control both Congress and the White House. Faced with a 6-3 conservative court as the new year begins, Democrats would need to add four seats to overcome the Republicans’ edge. With a 15-justice court, just two more additions by the Republicans would solidify their advantage.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pushed back against Democratic talk of expanding the court, citing Ginsburg’s own words in a 2019 interview with NPR in which she said ”packing the court was a bad idea when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt tried it and I’m not in favor of all of that.”
Democrats said almost nothing about the Supreme Court at their convention in August. That changed in an instant over the weekend.
“Nothing is off the table” for Senate rules changes if Republicans quickly confirm a new justice, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned in conference call Saturday with Democratic senators, according to a person on the private call who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
If Democrats win control of the Senate in the November elections, they probably would need to get rid of the filibuster, the Senate rule that requires 60 votes rather than a simple majority for most legislation, before they could move on legislative changes that might include the size of the court.
For now at least, Biden is spurning talk of court expansion, dubbed “court packing” by its opponents, although the Democratic platform does include support for amorphous “structural court reforms to increase transparency and accountability.”
Biden believes such a major change would only contribute to further “escalation” surrounding the courts, said a top Biden aide granted anonymity to speak about internal conversations.
In the Democratic primaries, Biden prevailed over candidates who supported big changes for the court, including former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Buttigieg proposed expanding the high court to 15, but not simply by allowing the sitting president to amplify his or her ideology on the bench. His plan would have five justices preferred by Democrats and five by Republicans. Those 10 justices then would select their other five colleagues.
Like Biden, leaders of several progressive groups said their focus is on stopping a Trump nominee. But several said in a conference call this weekend that they’d consider all options if they fail. “Nothing is off the table. The legitimacy of the court and our democracy is at stake,” said Vanita Gupta, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
It’s been more than 80 years since expanding the size of the court has received serious discussion. In 1937, Roosevelt tried and failed to add seats to a court on which aging conservative justices had struck down several New Deal programs. Roosevelt lost the fight in Congress over court expansion, though retirements soon eliminated FDR’s need for legislation.
One of the attractions of court expansion is that it does not require amending the Constitution, as imposing term limits on justices might.
The court’s size can be changed by legislation. The number of seats varied during its first 80 years from a low of six at the time the Constitution took effect in 1789 to a high of 10 during the Civil War. The current tally of nine justices was set in an 1869 law.
Congress might also act to impose term limits, but any change is likely to draw a legal challenge because the only limit set by the Constitution is that federal judges “shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour.” They can be impeached, but otherwise decide for themselves when to retire.
Several progressive groups have been pushing structural court changes essentially since Trump took office and appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch to fill a vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in 2016. President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for the seat, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to act on the nomination in the 2016 election year.
McConnell has said he will press to confirm Trump’s nominee to fill the latest election-year opening.
Expanding the court “is the only logical response to Republicans breaking their own precedent, stealing another seat and confirming someone at this late date in the calendar,” said Christopher Kang, co-founder and chief counsel of Demand Justice, a leading group urging Democrats to embrace changes to the court.
Political scientist Aaron Belkin, whose Take Back the Court group also favors court expansion, said the issue will only grow in prominence in the event of Democratic victories this fall if a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives were then to strike down civil rights and other legislation passed by a Democratic Congress and signed by Biden.
“The conversation about court expansion is not so much about the court but restoring democracy. This court is not going to allow a Biden administration to restore democracy,” Belkin said.
___
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe, Deb Riechmann and Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-09-22--Man sentenced to 24 years in prison for Arvada carjacking

A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for an armed carjacking in Arvada .
Joseph Raymond Saiz was sentenced last week after pleading guilty on Aug. 17 to aggravated robbery , vehicular assault and menacing , according to the Jefferson County District Attorney ’ s Office .
On Dec. 14 , 2019 , police were called to the 5900 block of West 68th Avenue on an armed carjacking .
Saiz forced a 34-year-old victim to the ground at gunpoint and stole his truck .
Officers spotted the stolen truck and attempted to stop it but Saiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a news release .
Saiz crashed into multiple vehicles , injuring a 75-year-old woman .
He fled the crash on foot but was arrested on Jan. 8 , 2020 .
Saiz fired multiple shots at officers as he eluded them after the carjacking , the release said .
A female codefendant , Crystal Trujillo , who was in the stolen truck with Saiz pleaded guilty Aug. 17 to robbery and false reporting .
She will be sentenced on Sept. 28 .
On the day of the carjacking , Saiz was on bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the DA ’ s office said .
The carjacking conviction was his fourth felony conviction in Colorado .

A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for an armed carjacking in Arvada.
Joseph Raymond Saiz was sentenced last week after pleading guilty on Aug. 17 to aggravated robbery, vehicular assault and menacing, according to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
On Dec. 14, 2019, police were called to the 5900 block of West 68th Avenue on an armed carjacking. Saiz forced a 34-year-old victim to the ground at gunpoint and stole his truck.
Officers spotted the stolen truck and attempted to stop it but Saiz fled at a high speed, according to a news release. Saiz crashed into multiple vehicles, injuring a 75-year-old woman. He fled the crash on foot but was arrested on Jan. 8, 2020.
Saiz fired multiple shots at officers as he eluded them after the carjacking, the release said.
A female codefendant, Crystal Trujillo, who was in the stolen truck with Saiz pleaded guilty Aug. 17 to robbery and false reporting. She will be sentenced on Sept. 28.
On the day of the carjacking, Saiz was on bond and probation in two other Colorado counties, the DA’s office said. The carjacking conviction was his fourth felony conviction in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Louisville prepares for protests, unrest with Breonna Taylor announcement looming

By Dylan Lovan and Rebecca Reynolds Yonker , The Associated Press LOUISVILLE , Ky. — Officials in Kentucky ’ s largest city were preparing Tuesday for more protests and possible unrest as the public nervously awaits the state attorney general ’ s announcement about whether he will charge officers in Breonna Taylor ’ s shooting death .
With timing of the announcement still uncertain , Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declared a state of emergency due to the potential for civil unrest , hours after police said they would restrict access in the city ’ s downtown area .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan ahead of time to protect both demonstrators and the people who live and work there .
But some involved in protests seeking justice for Taylor questioned why the police were going to such “ overkill ” lengths when the city has been the site of peaceful protests for months .
Attorney General Daniel Cameron has declined to set a deadline for his decision .
Earlier this month , he remarked that “ an investigation , if done properly , can not follow a certain timeline.
” Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised to try to give authorities a heads-up .
Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear said the measures taken by Louisville police are due to the intense scrutiny of the Taylor case , in Louisville and around the country .
“ The national attention here is so great , the potential for outsiders so significant , the possibility of someone taking something peaceful and trying to turn it into something that ’ s not , is all there , ” Beshear said during his daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday .
Mayor Fischer said officials ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for potential protesters to gather and express their First Amendment rights after the announcement.
” “ At the same time , we are preparing for any eventuality to keep everyone safe , ” he said .
In a news release Tuesday , the Louisville Metro Police Department said it was placing barricades around Jefferson Square Park , where protests over Taylor ’ s death have been held , and the perimeter of the downtown area ; allowing only pedestrians in the blocks immediately surrounding the park ; restricting vehicle traffic in other areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garages .
The department apologized for any inconveniences to workers and downtown residents .
“ However , public safety is our number one priority , and it would be irresponsible if we did not take preemptive action to preserve it , ” the statement said .
Police first mentioned the barricades on Monday , when they also said they had canceled vacations and were denying officers ’ requests for time off for the time being .
Federal officials closed the federal courthouse and other federal buildings for the week .
Sadiqa Reynolds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lives downtown , described the city ’ s measures as “ overkill.
” “ This is certainly an over-response to the local protests that have been happening in our community , ” she said , noting that protesters have been demonstrating in and around the city for nearly four months .
When Reynolds and hundreds of others staged a peaceful protest on Kentucky Derby day , police blocked off streets surrounding Churchill Downs and stationed dozens of officers at the track , which was without fans inside .
“ This city keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparation for war , ” she said .
Taylor , a Black emergency medical worker , was shot multiple times March 13 by officers who entered her home using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation .
The warrant used was connected to a suspect who did not live there , and no drugs were found inside .
The use of no-knock warrants has since been banned by Louisville ’ s Metro Council .
Large protests over Taylor ’ s death that at times became violent erupted in late May in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful .
Celebrities , athletes , activists and Taylor ’ s family have for months pushed Cameron to criminally charge the officers involved in the raid .
Last week , the city of Louisville settled a lawsuit from Taylor ’ s family for $ 12 million and pledged several police reforms as part of the agreement .
Meanwhile , an officer who was shot in the leg by Taylor ’ s boyfriend the night police entered her apartment wrote an email to fellow officers telling them that with their actions , Fischer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us in epic proportions.
” In the email , published by news outlets Tuesday and confirmed by his attorney , Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly wrote , “ I know we did the legal , moral and ethical thing that night.
” Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , told police he fired one round after Taylor ’ s door was broken down and Mattingly entered .
Walker said he thought someone was breaking into the house and didn ’ t know that it was police who were entering .
Referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be in a position “ that allows thugs to get in your face and yell , curse and degrade you.
” His attorney , Kent Wicker , told The Associated Press in an email that Mattingly ’ s email was “ expressing his support for ( fellow officers ) and their work during these difficult times .
”

By Dylan Lovan and Rebecca Reynolds Yonker, The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Officials in Kentucky’s largest city were preparing Tuesday for more protests and possible unrest as the public nervously awaits the state attorney general’s announcement about whether he will charge officers in Breonna Taylor’s shooting death.
With timing of the announcement still uncertain, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declared a state of emergency due to the potential for civil unrest, hours after police said they would restrict access in the city’s downtown area. The mayor and police said they were trying to plan ahead of time to protect both demonstrators and the people who live and work there.
But some involved in protests seeking justice for Taylor questioned why the police were going to such “overkill” lengths when the city has been the site of peaceful protests for months.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron has declined to set a deadline for his decision. Earlier this month, he remarked that “an investigation, if done properly, cannot follow a certain timeline.”
Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said officials from Cameron’s office have promised to try to give authorities a heads-up.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the measures taken by Louisville police are due to the intense scrutiny of the Taylor case, in Louisville and around the country.
“The national attention here is so great, the potential for outsiders so significant, the possibility of someone taking something peaceful and trying to turn it into something that’s not, is all there,” Beshear said during his daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday.
Mayor Fischer said officials’ goal “is ensuring space and opportunity for potential protesters to gather and express their First Amendment rights after the announcement.”
“At the same time, we are preparing for any eventuality to keep everyone safe,” he said.
In a news release Tuesday, the Louisville Metro Police Department said it was placing barricades around Jefferson Square Park, where protests over Taylor’s death have been held, and the perimeter of the downtown area; allowing only pedestrians in the blocks immediately surrounding the park; restricting vehicle traffic in other areas of downtown and limiting access to parking garages.
The department apologized for any inconveniences to workers and downtown residents.
“However, public safety is our number one priority, and it would be irresponsible if we did not take preemptive action to preserve it,” the statement said.
Police first mentioned the barricades on Monday, when they also said they had canceled vacations and were denying officers’ requests for time off for the time being.
Federal officials closed the federal courthouse and other federal buildings for the week.
Sadiqa Reynolds, who heads the nonprofit Louisville Urban League and lives downtown, described the city’s measures as “overkill.”
“This is certainly an over-response to the local protests that have been happening in our community,” she said, noting that protesters have been demonstrating in and around the city for nearly four months.
When Reynolds and hundreds of others staged a peaceful protest on Kentucky Derby day, police blocked off streets surrounding Churchill Downs and stationed dozens of officers at the track, which was without fans inside.
“This city keeps meeting the desire for justice with this preparation for war,” she said.
Taylor, a Black emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times March 13 by officers who entered her home using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant used was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside. The use of no-knock warrants has since been banned by Louisville’s Metro Council.
Large protests over Taylor’s death that at times became violent erupted in late May in the city but most demonstrations since then have been peaceful. Celebrities, athletes, activists and Taylor’s family have for months pushed Cameron to criminally charge the officers involved in the raid.
Last week, the city of Louisville settled a lawsuit from Taylor’s family for $12 million and pledged several police reforms as part of the agreement.
Meanwhile, an officer who was shot in the leg by Taylor’s boyfriend the night police entered her apartment wrote an email to fellow officers telling them that with their actions, Fischer and top police officials had “failed all of us in epic proportions.”
In the email, published by news outlets Tuesday and confirmed by his attorney, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly wrote, “I know we did the legal, moral and ethical thing that night.”
Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, told police he fired one round after Taylor’s door was broken down and Mattingly entered. Walker said he thought someone was breaking into the house and didn’t know that it was police who were entering.
Referring to protesters, Mattingly added that police officers should not be in a position “that allows thugs to get in your face and yell, curse and degrade you.”
His attorney, Kent Wicker, told The Associated Press in an email that Mattingly’s email was “expressing his support for (fellow officers) and their work during these difficult times.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Seattle City Council overrides mayor’s veto of policing cuts

SEATTLE — Seattle will reduce the police department ’ s budget and reallocate some money to community programs after the City Council voted Tuesday evening to override Mayor Jenny Durkan ’ s vetoes of adjustments to this year ’ s budget .
The council ’ s proposals approved last month were supported by demonstrators who have marched in the city for months following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis but were strongly opposed by the mayor and former police Chief Carmen Best .
“ Divestment from a broken policing model is not only the right thing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of action , ” Council President M. Lorena González said .
“ We can not look away from this and we can no longer accept the status quo if we truly believe that Black lives matter.
” In vetoing the council ’ s actions , the mayor has said she did not agree with losing officers as well as a plan to take officers off a team that removes camps of people experiencing homelessness .
She had also complained that the council had not discussed their plans with her or the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one council member said Tuesday that the police chief had been consulted .
Best , the city ’ s first Black female police chief , officially retired earlier this month amid the controversy over proposed police cuts and the department ’ s response to protests .
Measures passed by the council will cut less than $ 4 million of the department ’ s $ 400 million annual budget this year .
The exact number of officers to be cut wasn ’ t clear but council members suggested it would amount to several dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers , and the proposed reductions fell far short of calls from many Black Lives Matter protesters for a 50 % cut to the department .
Some members of the council had described the cuts as a “ down payment ” on future reductions .
An overwhelming majority of people who spoke during a public comment period Tuesday urged the council to overturn Durkan ’ s vetoes .
Many told the council , “ If Black lives matter , prove it.
” Members of business groups were among those who spoke in favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney in Seattle , Durkan pushed a Justice Department investigation that found officers too quick to use force , leading to a 2012 consent decree with the federal government .
Reviews by an independent monitor have found that changes made under that decree have led to a drop in how often police use force .
But critics have said the department ’ s actions during recent protests show not enough progress has been made .
Councilmember Dan Strauss said “ excessive and indiscriminate use of force ” by police against Seattle residents exercising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the budget adjustments .
“ The changes proposed in the 2020 rebalanced budget are not radical or earth shattering , ” Strauss said .
“ They are reasonable and responsible first steps in a long process to re-envision the way we handle public safety .
”

SEATTLE — Seattle will reduce the police department’s budget and reallocate some money to community programs after the City Council voted Tuesday evening to override Mayor Jenny Durkan’s vetoes of adjustments to this year’s budget.
The council’s proposals approved last month were supported by demonstrators who have marched in the city for months following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis but were strongly opposed by the mayor and former police Chief Carmen Best.
“Divestment from a broken policing model is not only the right thing to do … I believe it is the needed course of action,” Council President M. Lorena González said. “We cannot look away from this and we can no longer accept the status quo if we truly believe that Black lives matter.”
In vetoing the council’s actions, the mayor has said she did not agree with losing officers as well as a plan to take officers off a team that removes camps of people experiencing homelessness. She had also complained that the council had not discussed their plans with her or the police chief before taking action although at least one council member said Tuesday that the police chief had been consulted.
Best, the city’s first Black female police chief, officially retired earlier this month amid the controversy over proposed police cuts and the department’s response to protests.
Measures passed by the council will cut less than $4 million of the department’s $400 million annual budget this year. The exact number of officers to be cut wasn’t clear but council members suggested it would amount to several dozen.
Seattle now has about 1,400 police officers, and the proposed reductions fell far short of calls from many Black Lives Matter protesters for a 50% cut to the department. Some members of the council had described the cuts as a “down payment” on future reductions.
An overwhelming majority of people who spoke during a public comment period Tuesday urged the council to overturn Durkan’s vetoes. Many told the council, “If Black lives matter, prove it.” Members of business groups were among those who spoke in favor of upholding the veto.
As U.S. attorney in Seattle, Durkan pushed a Justice Department investigation that found officers too quick to use force, leading to a 2012 consent decree with the federal government. Reviews by an independent monitor have found that changes made under that decree have led to a drop in how often police use force. But critics have said the department’s actions during recent protests show not enough progress has been made.
Councilmember Dan Strauss said “excessive and indiscriminate use of force” by police against Seattle residents exercising their First Amendment rights led the council to make the budget adjustments.
“The changes proposed in the 2020 rebalanced budget are not radical or earth shattering,” Strauss said. “They are reasonable and responsible first steps in a long process to re-envision the way we handle public safety.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Late-stage study of first single-shot coronavirus vaccine begins in U.S.

Johnson & Johnson is beginning a huge final study to try to prove if a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine can protect against the virus .
The study starting Wednesday will be one of the world ’ s largest coronavirus vaccine studies so far , testing the shot in 60,000 volunteers in the U.S. , South Africa , Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Mexico and Peru .
A handful of other vaccines in the U.S. — including shots made by Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. — and others in other countries are already in final-stage testing .
Hopes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate being tested in the U.S. could come by year ’ s end , maybe sooner .
U.S. health officials insist the race for a vaccine isn ’ t cutting corners .
“ We want to do everything we can without sacrificing safety or efficacy — we ’ re not going to do that — to make sure that we end up with vaccines that are going to save lives , ” Dr. Francis Collins , director of the National Institutes of Health , told reporters .
But many vaccine specialists question whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that goal under intense pressure from the Trump administration .
President Donald Trump has consistently presented a faster timeline for a new vaccine than experts say is adequate to fully test the candidates .
Trump on Wednesday tweeted the link to a news report about the Johnson & Johnson study and said the FDA “ must move quickly !
” Meanwhile , testing of still another experimental vaccine , made by AstraZeneca , remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine a safety question , even though studies have resumed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence urged state governors to “ do your part to build public confidence that it will be a safe and effective vaccine.
” And Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top U.S. infectious disease expert , added in the call to governors that he is confident in “ a tried and true process ” that has checks and balances built in , including an independent board evaluating the progress of each vaccine trial , as well as “ the integrity of the FDA.
” A recording of the call was provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to question FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn , Fauci and other administration officials later Wednesday about the pandemic response .
Even if the FDA were to allow emergency use of a vaccine by year ’ s end , supplies would be limited and given first to vulnerable groups such as health workers .
Most Americans aren ’ t likely to receive a vaccine until sometime next year .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants states to get ready now to roll out vaccinations , which will present enormous logistical challenges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce distribution of $ 200 million in congressionally approved funds to help begin setting up operations .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the COVID-19 vaccine campaign will build on longstanding cooperation between the federal government and the states on immunizations .
J & J ’ s vaccine is made with slightly different technology than others in late-stage testing , modeled on an Ebola vaccine the company created .
Unlike the other three vaccines that started late-stage testing in the U.S. , it requires only one shot , not two .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of its competitors , Dr. Paul Stoffels , J & J ’ s chief scientific officer , told reporters that the study was large enough to yield answers possibly by early next year .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Johnson & Johnson is beginning a huge final study to try to prove if a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine can protect against the virus.
The study starting Wednesday will be one of the world’s largest coronavirus vaccine studies so far, testing the shot in 60,000 volunteers in the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
A handful of other vaccines in the U.S. — including shots made by Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. — and others in other countries are already in final-stage testing. Hopes are high that answers about at least one candidate being tested in the U.S. could come by year’s end, maybe sooner.
U.S. health officials insist the race for a vaccine isn’t cutting corners.
“We want to do everything we can without sacrificing safety or efficacy — we’re not going to do that — to make sure that we end up with vaccines that are going to save lives,” Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told reporters.
But many vaccine specialists question whether the Food and Drug Administration will stick to that goal under intense pressure from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has consistently presented a faster timeline for a new vaccine than experts say is adequate to fully test the candidates.
Trump on Wednesday tweeted the link to a news report about the Johnson & Johnson study and said the FDA “must move quickly!”
Meanwhile, testing of still another experimental vaccine, made by AstraZeneca, remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine a safety question, even though studies have resumed in other countries.
Earlier this week, Vice President Mike Pence urged state governors to “do your part to build public confidence that it will be a safe and effective vaccine.”
And Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, added in the call to governors that he is confident in “a tried and true process” that has checks and balances built in, including an independent board evaluating the progress of each vaccine trial, as well as “the integrity of the FDA.”
A recording of the call was provided to The Associated Press.
Senators were scheduled to question FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Fauci and other administration officials later Wednesday about the pandemic response.
Even if the FDA were to allow emergency use of a vaccine by year’s end, supplies would be limited and given first to vulnerable groups such as health workers. Most Americans aren’t likely to receive a vaccine until sometime next year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants states to get ready now to roll out vaccinations, which will present enormous logistical challenges. On Wednesday the CDC was set to announce distribution of $200 million in congressionally approved funds to help begin setting up operations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the COVID-19 vaccine campaign will build on longstanding cooperation between the federal government and the states on immunizations.
J&J’s vaccine is made with slightly different technology than others in late-stage testing, modeled on an Ebola vaccine the company created. Unlike the other three vaccines that started late-stage testing in the U.S., it requires only one shot, not two. Despite a later start to testing than some of its competitors, Dr. Paul Stoffels, J&J’s chief scientific officer, told reporters that the study was large enough to yield answers possibly by early next year.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Endorsement: Don’t put the government in OBGYN offices; vote “no” on Prop. 115

Editor ’ s note : This represents the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board , which is separate from the paper ’ s news operation .
Read more endorsements here .
Colorado ’ s prosecutors should not be in exam rooms with patients and their obstetricians .
Proposition 115 would put the long-arm of Colorado ’ s law in the middle of the complicated , tragic , and sometimes life and death decisions doctors help women with high-risk pregnancies make every day in this state .
We hope voters refuse this ban on abortions after 22-weeks of gestation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the baby is about 11 inches long and weighs about 1 pound .
The ban does include exceptions for when the health or life of the pregnant woman is at risk , however , it does not include any exceptions for when a woman is told her fetus will die in the womb or shortly after birth because of a severe birth defect or genetic abnormality .
Because there is such a stigma in America around pregnancy and childbirth , we seldom talk about these tragedies , but they occur more frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , there are 24,000 stillbirths — pregnancies that are more than 20 weeks past gestation where the baby dies often without explanation — every year in America and about 4,700 babies die every year after being born of congenital malformations , deformations or chromosomal abnormalities .
Women and their doctors should be the ones selecting the safest and most humane paths forward .
Some women will decide to continue their pregnancy until it ends naturally or until the baby is born in a neonatal hospice for however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women will choose to have an abortion , and sometimes the diagnosis is not learned until after 22 weeks .
These decisions are heart-wrenching and women consider all manner of complications – like whether the baby will suffer after being born , the emotional toll of carrying a pregnancy for three months and having to explain to strangers and acquaintances or younger children that the baby won ’ t live , and the desire to say goodbye and hold the baby or to hold a funeral .
The last thing we need is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision could violate a state law , or for doctors to fear having their license suspended for three years if they are found guilty of the class 1 misdemeanor .
The doctors could not be put in jail for the new crime but could be fined .
New York ’ s ban on late-term abortions was recently replaced by a law that accounts for when a fetus will never be viable outside the womb , even at full-term , approximately 37 weeks of gestation .
To be clear , no one has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere in the United States that late in pregnancy .
New York ’ s law allows for abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy if “ there is an absence of fetal viability , or the abortion is necessary to protect the patient ’ s life or health.
” We do not mean to be entirely dismissive of points being made by those who brought this ballot question forward .
We understand that for some people religious and/or ethical concerns about killing a fetus outweigh any medical or personal justification a woman may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I found out what was the status of abortion in Colorado , when I found out that you can have an abortion right up until the minute of birth , it ’ s just too extreme , ” Giuliana Day , one of the proponents of Proposition 115 , told us .
“ This is not right .
We have to be on the right side of history.
” However , we are continually compelled by the fact that we trust women and their doctors to make the decisions that are moral given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman may face in this world .
“ You can never fully know what another person is going through , and these are inevitably complicated personal decisions , ” said the Rev .
Amanda Henderson , who leads the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado .
“ That judgment on another person ’ s situation is not the path that we want to take .
We need to be meeting people where they are with compassion and dignity and trust that they can make the decision that is best for them and their family with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most abortions in America occur before eight weeks when the pregnancy is still considered an embryo .
According to the CDC , about 1.2 % of abortions occurred later than 21 weeks .
For many of those women having abortions in the second trimester , they were unable to access an abortion in their state and needed time to get an appointment , find the money and travel .
In essence , abortion restrictions in other states are having the effect of pushing abortions later in pregnancy .
To send a letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Editor’s note: This represents the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board, which is separate from the paper’s news operation. Read more endorsements here.
Colorado’s prosecutors should not be in exam rooms with patients and their obstetricians. Proposition 115 would put the long-arm of Colorado’s law in the middle of the complicated, tragic, and sometimes life and death decisions doctors help women with high-risk pregnancies make every day in this state.
We hope voters refuse this ban on abortions after 22-weeks of gestation, which is approximately four months from delivery when the baby is about 11 inches long and weighs about 1 pound.
The ban does include exceptions for when the life of the pregnant woman is at risk, however, it does not include any exceptions for when a woman is told her fetus will die in the womb or shortly after birth because of a severe birth defect or genetic abnormality.
Because there is such a stigma in America around pregnancy and childbirth, we seldom talk about these tragedies, but they occur more frequently than people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 24,000 stillbirths — pregnancies that are more than 20 weeks past gestation where the baby dies often without explanation — every year in America and about 4,700 babies die every year after being born of congenital malformations, deformations or chromosomal abnormalities.
Women and their doctors should be the ones selecting the safest and most humane paths forward. Some women will decide to continue their pregnancy until it ends naturally or until the baby is born in a neonatal hospice for however long its little life lasts. Some women will choose to have an abortion, and sometimes the diagnosis is not learned until after 22 weeks.
These decisions are heart-wrenching and women consider all manner of complications – like whether the baby will suffer after being born, the emotional toll of carrying a pregnancy for three months and having to explain to strangers and acquaintances or younger children that the baby won’t live, and the desire to say goodbye and hold the baby or to hold a funeral.
The last thing we need is for women to also fear that their decision could violate a state law, or for doctors to fear having their license suspended for three years if they are found guilty of the class 1 misdemeanor. The doctors could not be put in jail for the new crime but could be fined.
New York’s ban on late-term abortions was recently replaced by a law that accounts for when a fetus will never be viable outside the womb, even at full-term, approximately 37 weeks of gestation. To be clear, no one has found evidence of abortions happening in Colorado or elsewhere in the United States that late in pregnancy. New York’s law allows for abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy if “there is an absence of fetal viability, or the abortion is necessary to protect the patient’s life or health.”
We do not mean to be entirely dismissive of points being made by those who brought this ballot question forward. We understand that for some people religious and/or ethical concerns about killing a fetus outweigh any medical or personal justification a woman may have for electing an abortion.
“When I found out what was the status of abortion in Colorado, when I found out that you can have an abortion right up until the minute of birth, it’s just too extreme,” Giuliana Day, one of the proponents of Proposition 115, told us. “This is not right. We have to be on the right side of history.”
However, we are continually compelled by the fact that we trust women and their doctors to make the decisions that are moral given all of the unknowable circumstances each individual woman may face in this world.
“You can never fully know what another person is going through, and these are inevitably complicated personal decisions,” said the Rev. Amanda Henderson, who leads the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. “That judgment on another person’s situation is not the path that we want to take. We need to be meeting people where they are with compassion and dignity and trust that they can make the decision that is best for them and their family with consultation with their health care provider.”
Most abortions in America occur before eight weeks when the pregnancy is still considered an embryo. According to the CDC, about 1.2% of abortions occurred later than 21 weeks.
For many of those women having abortions in the second trimester, they were unable to access an abortion in their state and needed time to get an appointment, find the money and travel. In essence, abortion restrictions in other states are having the effect of pushing abortions later in pregnancy.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
Updated Sept. 23, 2020 at 4 p.m. Due to an editor’s error an earlier version of this story said that the ballot question makes an exception allowing abortions after 22 weeks to protect the health or life of the mother. It does not include health. The ballot language only includes an exception if “an abortion is immediately required to save the life of a pregnant woman.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Former Olympian, CU standout Jeremy Bloom turns post-athletic career into “Wish of a Lifetime”

When Bernice Fallik talks about the organization Wish of a Lifetime , she can ’ t use enough superlatives .
“ It was just wonderful .
They are just wonderful , more than wonderful , so giving and caring .
I just can ’ t say enough about them , ” the 91-year-old Denver woman said .
Last year , the philanthropic organization founded by Jeremy Bloom , two-time Olympian and U.S. Hall of Fame skier , granted Fallik her wish .
She was flown to Virginia to spend about a week with her granddaughter and great-grandson .
Fallik ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and in Denver , but she hadn ’ t seen her for a few years .
She couldn ’ t afford to travel across the country and neither could her granddaughter .
Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime , she spent several days with her and two other grandchildren .
“ I have wonderful memories of the time I spent in Virginia , ” Fallik said .
And she has fond memories of the people at Wish of a Lifetime who arranged the travel .
Staff member Shannon Hollis took her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stayed with her until boarding time and picked her up when she returned , Fallik said .
Since starting Wish of a Lifetime in 2008 , Bloom has heard many stories and has shared in the reunions or once-in-a-lifetime experiences made possible by his organization .
The Loveland native , former University of Colorado football standout and NFL player said one of his goals in starting the nonprofit , which grants wishes to older people , was to “ disrupt aging.
” “ We have this mission to disrupt aging , disrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s possible in the later stages of life , ” Bloom said .
“ We have all these amazing people living out their lifelong dreams 80 , 90 years into life .
“ It was important to share those stories in hopes of inspiring others to see what ’ s possible in the later stages of life , but also to appreciate the many contributions that this generation has given to the world and certainly to us , ” Bloom added .
To reach even more older Americans across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August to form Wish of a Lifetime from AARP .
The organization ’ s headquarters will stay in Denver .
As a charitable affiliate of AARP , Wish will be able to leverage the resources of the 38-million-member organization , Bloom said .
Wish of a Lifetime is hiring and working with AARP on its five-year strategic plan .
The partnership took shape after Scott Frisch , AARP executive vice president and chief operating officer , spent time talking to Bloom and Wish staff members .
AARP , which focuses on issues affecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address social isolation and other issues older people face .
“ Wish of a Lifetime came on our radar screen , ” Frisch said .
“ Bringing Wish into the AARP family , we believe we ’ re going to be able to reach more people , both those who want to give help and the Wish applicants as well.
” The program is an avenue to combat the effects of social isolation , strengthen social ties and make intergenerational connections , Frisch said .
The nonprofit has granted more than 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking forward to reaching more people across the country .
“ It starts with impacting as many people as we can .
We can do that through the vehicle of granting wishes , of course , but it ’ s also about telling those stories and inspiring others to change the way that we view not only this generation but what we can do as we age , ” Bloom said .
Bloom said his maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather were the inspirations for starting Wish of a Lifetime .
His grandmother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Bloom family and helped raise her grandchildren .
Bloom has shared connections with many of the Wish of a Lifetime recipients , including a man with emphysema who always wanted to travel but didn ’ t have the chance .
Thomas Burgett of Alabama wanted people to send him postcards from different cities and include a little about the places .
“ Before we knew it , he had 4,000 postcards sent to his house .
I went out to visit him three weeks into the wish , ” Bloom said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world wrote to him .
It meant so much for him.
” Another wish involved arranging the return in 2012 of four members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen to Moton Field , where they trained and where the men from Dallas had not been since the end of World War II .
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Wish carries out its work for now .
Bloom said the staff is trying to connect people in the digital world and is sending care packages to people .
“ The world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal exists , and we ’ ll be able to get back to granting in-person wishes .
”

When Bernice Fallik talks about the organization Wish of a Lifetime, she can’t use enough superlatives.
“It was just wonderful. They are just wonderful, more than wonderful, so giving and caring. I just can’t say enough about them,” the 91-year-old Denver woman said.
Last year, the philanthropic organization founded by Jeremy Bloom, two-time Olympian and U.S. Hall of Fame skier, granted Fallik her wish. She was flown to Virginia to spend about a week with her granddaughter and great-grandson.
Fallik’s granddaughter lived with her in New York and in Denver, but she hadn’t seen her for a few years. She couldn’t afford to travel across the country and neither could her granddaughter. Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime, she spent several days with her and two other grandchildren.
“I have wonderful memories of the time I spent in Virginia,” Fallik said.
And she has fond memories of the people at Wish of a Lifetime who arranged the travel. Staff member Shannon Hollis took her to the airport, helped her navigate check-in, stayed with her until boarding time and picked her up when she returned, Fallik said.
Since starting Wish of a Lifetime in 2008, Bloom has heard many stories and has shared in the reunions or once-in-a-lifetime experiences made possible by his organization. The Loveland native, former University of Colorado football standout and NFL player said one of his goals in starting the nonprofit, which grants wishes to older people, was to “disrupt aging.”
“We have this mission to disrupt aging, disrupt the perception of aging, of what’s possible in the later stages of life,” Bloom said. “We have all these amazing people living out their lifelong dreams 80, 90 years into life.
“It was important to share those stories in hopes of inspiring others to see what’s possible in the later stages of life, but also to appreciate the many contributions that this generation has given to the world and certainly to us,” Bloom added.
To reach even more older Americans across the country, the organization teamed up with AARP in August to form Wish of a Lifetime from AARP. The organization’s headquarters will stay in Denver.
As a charitable affiliate of AARP, Wish will be able to leverage the resources of the 38-million-member organization, Bloom said. Wish of a Lifetime is hiring and working with AARP on its five-year strategic plan.
The partnership took shape after Scott Frisch, AARP executive vice president and chief operating officer, spent time talking to Bloom and Wish staff members. AARP, which focuses on issues affecting people over 50, was exploring ways to address social isolation and other issues older people face.
“Wish of a Lifetime came on our radar screen,” Frisch said. “Bringing Wish into the AARP family, we believe we’re going to be able to reach more people, both those who want to give help and the Wish applicants as well.”
The program is an avenue to combat the effects of social isolation, strengthen social ties and make intergenerational connections, Frisch said.
The nonprofit has granted more than 2,000 wishes since its founding. Bloom is looking forward to reaching more people across the country.
“It starts with impacting as many people as we can. We can do that through the vehicle of granting wishes, of course, but it’s also about telling those stories and inspiring others to change the way that we view not only this generation but what we can do as we age,” Bloom said.
Bloom said his maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather were the inspirations for starting Wish of a Lifetime. His grandmother, Donna Wheeler, lived for several years with the Bloom family and helped raise her grandchildren.
Bloom has shared connections with many of the Wish of a Lifetime recipients, including a man with emphysema who always wanted to travel but didn’t have the chance. Thomas Burgett of Alabama wanted people to send him postcards from different cities and include a little about the places.
“Before we knew it, he had 4,000 postcards sent to his house. I went out to visit him three weeks into the wish,” Bloom said. “People from all over the world wrote to him. It meant so much for him.”
Another wish involved arranging the return in 2012 of four members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen to Moton Field, where they trained and where the men from Dallas had not been since the end of World War II.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Wish carries out its work for now. Bloom said the staff is trying to connect people in the digital world and is sending care packages to people.
“The world’s going to get back to whatever new normal exists, and we’ll be able to get back to granting in-person wishes.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-23--Colorado Gov. Jared Polis extends statewide fire ban through September

The Colorado fire ban declared in a 30-day executive order by Gov .
Jared Polis last month has been extended through the end of this month due to the state ’ s ongoing “ condition of extreme fire hazard.
” Colorado has had more than 900 wildfires this year , consuming more than 330,000 acres .
Nearly 89 % of the state is currently experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions .
Portable stoves are allowed under the governor ’ s order .
Also allowed are fires in “ constructed , permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed camp and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but campers need to check for county and national forest restrictions , which may prohibit those fires as well .
Colorado ’ s Department of Public Safety lays out specific fire restrictions on its website , including those imposed by counties and national forest districts .
For much of the Front Range , no open fires are allowed .
Examples include the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests and adjacent counties , because they are under Stage 2 restrictions that are more stringent than the governor ’ s order .
The Arapaho and Roosevelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our adjacent counties are in Stage 2 fire restrictions , which is a higher level of restriction that what the governor has implemented .
Those forests comprise most of the high country forest land between the Front Range foothills and Eagle County , along Interstate 70 and north to the Wyoming border .
“ In short , Stage 2 means no open flames , period , ” said Reid Armstrong , public information specialist for the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests .
“ Permanent fire rings and fire pits are included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception is for gas-fueled cooking stoves and lanterns with an on-off switch .
Smoking is also not prohibited outdoors under Stage 2 restrictions.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

The Colorado fire ban declared in a 30-day executive order by Gov. Jared Polis last month has been extended through the end of this month due to the state’s ongoing “condition of extreme fire hazard.”
Colorado has had more than 900 wildfires this year, consuming more than 330,000 acres. Nearly 89% of the state is currently experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions.
Portable stoves are allowed under the governor’s order. Also allowed are fires in “constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed camp and picnic grounds or recreation sites,” but campers need to check for county and national forest restrictions, which may prohibit those fires as well.
Colorado’s Department of Public Safety lays out specific fire restrictions on its website, including those imposed by counties and national forest districts. For much of the Front Range, no open fires are allowed. Examples include the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests and adjacent counties, because they are under Stage 2 restrictions that are more stringent than the governor’s order.
The Arapaho and Roosevelt NF and Pawnee National Grassland, along with our adjacent counties are in Stage 2 fire restrictions, which is a higher level of restriction that what the governor has implemented. Those forests comprise most of the high country forest land between the Front Range foothills and Eagle County, along Interstate 70 and north to the Wyoming border.
“In short, Stage 2 means no open flames, period,” said Reid Armstrong, public information specialist for the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. “Permanent fire rings and fire pits are included in the Stage 2 prohibition. The only exception is for gas-fueled cooking stoves and lanterns with an on-off switch. Smoking is also not prohibited outdoors under Stage 2 restrictions.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.