thedenverpost--2020-03-09--Guest Commentary: This weekend hope in the U.S. shale market died and it’ll have a lasting impact

Something died in the oil market this weekend : hope .
Or a certain kind of hope exemplified in the U.S. exploration and production business .
This will be one of the enduring outcomes of the latest crash , even if — as some , you know , hope — Saudi Arabia ’ s declaration of a price war spurs a quick truce with Russia .
Unlike the crash of 2014 ( or 2008 ) , falling oil prices aren ’ t likely to spur an immediate rebound in demand .
People aren ’ t holding off traveling today because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial markets , fewer will rush in to mop up all that blood on the floor .
Investors did that before and , like the actions of OPEC+ over the past three years , they effectively provided a put for the exploration and production ( E & P ) sector ’ s high-spending habits .
This was exemplified , most obviously , in surging production growth and negative free cash flow .
More importantly , it was embedded in a mindset of optimism , backed up by c-suite incentives built on visions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troublesome present ( see this ) .
Now , with energy valuations through the floor even before Saudi Arabia opened the taps , the equity and bond market put is gone .
Think of the damage this will inflict in terms of concentric circles .
At the center are those companies that had optimism woven into their financial fabric .
Occidental Petroleum Corp. ( Oxy ) is a prime example , having piled on debt and alienated shareholders to buy Anadarko Petroleum Corp. last year .
It needed oil prices to stay up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fund its strategy ( which still included some growth ) and get good prices on disposals .
Despite repeated commitment to the dividend , it looks untenable , which is why the yield is almost 12 % .
Pre-market prices on Monday morning imply Oxy ’ s market cap will drop to less than $ 15 billion — about $ 8 billion lower than where Anadarko traded before bidding got underway less than a year ago .
One way in which Oxy relied on the OPEC+ put to keep things humming was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of oil ’ s brief rally at the end of 2019 to lock in hedges on almost half its expected production for this year .
It looked like smart timing but came with a hope-tinged sting in the form of a three-way costless collar .
The “ costless ” in there is the tell , like that subtle shift in the movie soundtrack when our hero opens the door to the cellar .
In theory , by selling an out-of-the-money put on oil , the hedger ’ s premium reduces the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy bass notes — unless oil prices drop to a level nobody expects , it ’ s all good .
Oxy wasn ’ t alone in this regard , of course ; the sector was conditioned to expect OPEC+ to do the decent thing .
In a report published last week , UBS analysts laid out a list of large E & P firms that will now be grabbing at their collars frantically : The impact doesn ’ t end there .
Exxon Mobil Corp. , usually a byword for stability , stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakness on Thursday — a day before OPEC+ redefined oil-price weakness .
Rival Chevron Corp. , having had the good fortune to take its licks a few years ago when hope still had currency , looks better positioned .
But even its $ 60 oil-price planning deck is now in tatters .
The employees , and the towns and counties , that rely on drilling will also suffer .
Direct oil-sector employment entered year-over-year decline already at the end of 2019 , and that will now accelerate sharply .
Similarly , the oilfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take another kick .
Ditto for a midstream industry where , if anything , many companies had tried to out-do their E & P clients in terms of optimism , leverage and skewed incentives .
Radiating out further from ground zero in the shale patch , there are the financiers .
Energy ’ s weighting in the S & P 500 , having just slipped below that of utilities for the first time , may well drop lower than the real estate sector as soon as Monday .
Meanwhile , the energy high-yield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of almost 1,100 basis points above Treasuries .
That is blowing out further Monday , meaning the door to new E & P financing , closed pretty firmly already , is now being welded shut .
But like Vegas , what happens in energy high-yield doesn ’ t stay there , because earlier optimism allowed the sector to expand so much : Energy issuers constitute 14 % of the face value of the broader high-yield index .
You can ’ t detonate a part of the market that big and not expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it , especially with cross-currents from coronavirus rippling through , too .
At the same time , lending banks were already nervous about credit lines to E & P firms collateralized by the value of their oil and gas reserves .
Mike Lister , who runs corporate banking for energy clients at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. — one of the biggest reserves-based lenders on the street — said in an interview with World Oil published last week that banks wrote off more reserves-based shale loans last year than in any over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front , the thing to keep in mind is that oil prices averaged about $ 60 a barrel in 2019 , a level the industry would kill for right now .
The E & P sector ’ s relationship with the capital markets was shaky already , both because of prior excesses and a growing sense of dread related to climate change .
That is precisely why some companies had embraced more shareholder-friendly measures such as governance reforms and bigger dividends .
This sharp reminder that energy prices aren ’ t guaranteed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shale isn ’ t dead , but with a swath of the industry about to go bankrupt or try to rationalize or consolidate its way through the crisis , its peculiarly robust brand of hope is .
That is why , even if Moscow and Riyadh make up eventually , the effects will last .
The financial ecosystem underpinning the shale boom will remember .
Reluctant as I am to ever write these words , this time really is different .
Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy , mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Wall Street Journal ’ s Heard on the Street column and wrote for the Financial Times ’ Lex column .
He was also an investment banker .
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 .

Something died in the oil market this weekend: hope. Or a certain kind of hope exemplified in the U.S. exploration and production business. This will be one of the enduring outcomes of the latest crash, even if — as some, you know, hope — Saudi Arabia’s declaration of a price war spurs a quick truce with Russia.
Unlike the crash of 2014 (or 2008), falling oil prices aren’t likely to spur an immediate rebound in demand. People aren’t holding off traveling today because jet fuel is too expensive.
In the financial markets, fewer will rush in to mop up all that blood on the floor. Investors did that before and, like the actions of OPEC+ over the past three years, they effectively provided a put for the exploration and production (E&P) sector’s high-spending habits. This was exemplified, most obviously, in surging production growth and negative free cash flow. More importantly, it was embedded in a mindset of optimism, backed up by c-suite incentives built on visions of sunlit uplands ahead rather than the troublesome present (see this). Now, with energy valuations through the floor even before Saudi Arabia opened the taps, the equity and bond market put is gone.
Think of the damage this will inflict in terms of concentric circles. At the center are those companies that had optimism woven into their financial fabric. Occidental Petroleum Corp. (Oxy) is a prime example, having piled on debt and alienated shareholders to buy Anadarko Petroleum Corp. last year. It needed oil prices to stay up for at least a year or two to fund its strategy (which still included some growth) and get good prices on disposals. Despite repeated commitment to the dividend, it looks untenable, which is why the yield is almost 12%. Pre-market prices on Monday morning imply Oxy’s market cap will drop to less than $15 billion — about $8 billion lower than where Anadarko traded before bidding got underway less than a year ago.
One way in which Oxy relied on the OPEC+ put to keep things humming was its hedging strategy. The company took advantage of oil’s brief rally at the end of 2019 to lock in hedges on almost half its expected production for this year. It looked like smart timing but came with a hope-tinged sting in the form of a three-way costless collar. The “costless” in there is the tell, like that subtle shift in the movie soundtrack when our hero opens the door to the cellar. In theory, by selling an out-of-the-money put on oil, the hedger’s premium reduces the cost of their calls and — cue the heavy bass notes — unless oil prices drop to a level nobody expects, it’s all good.
Oxy wasn’t alone in this regard, of course; the sector was conditioned to expect OPEC+ to do the decent thing. In a report published last week, UBS analysts laid out a list of large E&P firms that will now be grabbing at their collars frantically:
The impact doesn’t end there. Exxon Mobil Corp., usually a byword for stability, stuck to its guns on spending into oil-price weakness on Thursday — a day before OPEC+ redefined oil-price weakness. Rival Chevron Corp., having had the good fortune to take its licks a few years ago when hope still had currency, looks better positioned. But even its $60 oil-price planning deck is now in tatters.
The employees, and the towns and counties, that rely on drilling will also suffer. Direct oil-sector employment entered year-over-year decline already at the end of 2019, and that will now accelerate sharply. Similarly, the oilfield services sector, down already, will take another kick. Ditto for a midstream industry where, if anything, many companies had tried to out-do their E&P clients in terms of optimism, leverage and skewed incentives.
Radiating out further from ground zero in the shale patch, there are the financiers. Energy’s weighting in the S&P 500, having just slipped below that of utilities for the first time, may well drop lower than the real estate sector as soon as Monday.
Meanwhile, the energy high-yield bond market closed Friday at an average spread of almost 1,100 basis points above Treasuries. That is blowing out further Monday, meaning the door to new E&P financing, closed pretty firmly already, is now being welded shut. But like Vegas, what happens in energy high-yield doesn’t stay there, because earlier optimism allowed the sector to expand so much: Energy issuers constitute 14% of the face value of the broader high-yield index. You can’t detonate a part of the market that big and not expect a shock wave to hit the rest of it, especially with cross-currents from coronavirus rippling through, too.
At the same time, lending banks were already nervous about credit lines to E&P firms collateralized by the value of their oil and gas reserves. Mike Lister, who runs corporate banking for energy clients at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. — one of the biggest reserves-based lenders on the street — said in an interview with World Oil published last week that banks wrote off more reserves-based shale loans last year than in any over the past three decades. On that front, the thing to keep in mind is that oil prices averaged about $60 a barrel in 2019, a level the industry would kill for right now.
The E&P sector’s relationship with the capital markets was shaky already, both because of prior excesses and a growing sense of dread related to climate change. That is precisely why some companies had embraced more shareholder-friendly measures such as governance reforms and bigger dividends. This sharp reminder that energy prices aren’t guaranteed at any level kicks away the last prop.
Shale isn’t dead, but with a swath of the industry about to go bankrupt or try to rationalize or consolidate its way through the crisis, its peculiarly robust brand of hope is. That is why, even if Moscow and Riyadh make up eventually, the effects will last. The financial ecosystem underpinning the shale boom will remember. Reluctant as I am to ever write these words, this time really is different.
Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy, mining and commodities. He previously was editor of the Wall Street Journal’s Heard on the Street column and wrote for the Financial Times’ Lex column. He was also an investment banker.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-03-09--Dave Pilipovich fired as Air Force Falcons men’s basketball coach

After eight-plus seasons , Dave Pilipovich on Monday was fired from his position as the men ’ s head basketball @ @ @ @ @ Air Force finished 12-20 this season , the school ’ s seventh consecutive losing season @ @ @ @ @ record at AFA .
“ The bottom line is we have to be more competitive @ @ @ @ @ Air Force director of athletics Nathan Pine said in a statement .
“ We entered @ @ @ @ @ and talented team with high expectations ; unfortunately we did not meet our goals as @ @ @ @ @ s clear to me that a change in leadership is necessary at this time for @ @ @ @ @ forward .
Air Force will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately.
@ @ @ @ @ in February 2012 after Air Force fired Jeff Reynolds .
Pilipovich led the program to @ @ @ @ @ 2012-13 , earning an invitation to the CollegeInisder.com Postseason Tournament .

After eight-plus seasons, Dave Pilipovich on Monday was fired from his position as the men’s head basketball coach at Air Force.
Air Force finished 12-20 this season, the school’s seventh consecutive losing season. Pilipovich compiled a 110-151 record at AFA.
“The bottom line is we have to be more competitive on the court,” Air Force director of athletics Nathan Pine said in a statement. “We entered this season with a senior-laden and talented team with high expectations; unfortunately we did not meet our goals as a program. It’s clear to me that a change in leadership is necessary at this time for us to move the program forward. Air Force will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately.”
Pilipovich became head coach in February 2012 after Air Force fired Jeff Reynolds. Pilipovich led the program to one winning season, in 2012-13, earning an invitation to the CollegeInisder.com Postseason Tournament.


thedenverpost--2020-03-09--13 Australians visiting Aspen showing “fairly mild” coronavirus symptoms after contact with woman wh

13 Australians visiting Aspen showing “fairly mild” coronavirus symptoms after contact with woman who tested positive

Thirteen of 18 people in Aspen who had contact with an Australian woman who tested positive for the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ country are experiencing “ fairly mild ” symptoms of the virus , Pitkin County health @ @ @ @ @ woman , who is in her 20s , returned to Australia last week and tested @ @ @ @ @ respiratory disease caused by the new virus .
So far , there are no confirmed @ @ @ @ @ Pitkin County .
There are nine cases to date in Colorado .
The individuals being @ @ @ @ @ Australians who are visiting the mountain town .
Health officials are taking samples from those @ @ @ @ @ in isolation , and they will be sent to the Colorado state lab for testing @ @ @ @ @ public health director for Pitkin County State and local public health officials have said they @ @ @ @ @ known to have had contact with the Australian woman during her visit to Aspen .

Thirteen of 18 people in Aspen who had contact with an Australian woman who tested positive for the new coronavirus after returning to her home country are experiencing “fairly mild” symptoms of the virus, Pitkin County health officials announced Monday.
The woman, who is in her 20s, returned to Australia last week and tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus.
So far, there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Pitkin County. There are nine cases to date in Colorado.
The individuals being tested in Aspen are all Australians who are visiting the mountain town. Health officials are taking samples from those 13 individuals, who are in isolation, and they will be sent to the Colorado state lab for testing, said Karen Koenemann, public health director for Pitkin County
State and local public health officials have said they are working to notify people known to have had contact with the Australian woman during her visit to Aspen.


thedenverpost--2020-03-09--Denver mayor activates emergency operations center amid coronavirus fears

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock ordered a partial opening of the city ’ s emergency operations center Monday as the number of cases of those who have contracted the new coronavirus rose globally .
Locally , the number residents presumed to have contracted the COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the virus remains at two , Hancock said .
However , eight residents who had close contact with those two people are now under quarantine in the city , he said .
None of those eight people are showing symptoms of the virus , said Bob McDonald , executive director of Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environment .
There are now nine presumptive cases of COVID-19 statewide .
The pair stood in the center , within the basement of Denver ’ s City and County Building .
Matt Mueller , director of Denver ’ s Office of Emergency Management , joined them .
Surrounded by banks of computers , dry-erase informational boards and hanging placards listing different city services .
The center will house 20 people now , said emergency management spokesperson Loa Esquilin-Garcia .
Under full operations , it holds 90 .
The center has four main focuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the city , businesses and residents But as the center ramps up operations , Hancock and McDonald reiterated a need for most Denverites to go about their lives normally , albeit washing their hands more often and taking a few extra sanitary precautions .
Risk for the general public remains low and city officials are working to balance a proactive prevention approach while maintaining city services and reducing fear or panic .
To that end , McDonald ’ s office today will order all restaurants in Denver to post public health directives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind patrons and employees to wash their hands , Hancock said .
“ Let me just pause for a second and remind everyone that the city is in full operation , ” Hancock said .
“ I thought about it this weekend , all that ’ s going on around the globe , but this city still hosted tens of thousands of people at the Oprah Winfrey event at the Pepsi Center .
Today we have over 26,000 people in our city for a volleyball tournament and we are expecting other events to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high profile cancellation already has hit Denver , however .
While the mayor said he didn ’ t expect the new handwashing reminders to hurt local businesses , he also described Denver as an “ entertainment city ” and noted that if people skip dinner , events and more because they fear the virus , the city will inevitably take an economic hit .
“ If people don ’ t go to the restaurant… we don ’ t get that back , ” he said .
“ That ’ s revenue that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hancock said there are no discussions about canceling Denver ’ s St. Patrick ’ s Day Parade later this week .
City officials already are discussing whether employees can work from home and additional precautions , should they be necessary , Hancock said .
In addition , McDonald said he and others are discussing how to protect some of the city ’ s most vulnerable , like those experiencing homelessness .
If they ’ re unable or unwilling to move to a shelter , McDonald said crews are providing hand sanitizer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
McDonald asked for residents to exercise caution and remain cognizant of their surroundings , wash their hands frequently — especially before meals — and practice social distancing .
Anyone feeling ill should remain in their homes and away from crowded areas , he said .
Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock ordered a partial opening of the city’s emergency operations center Monday as the number of cases of those who have contracted the new coronavirus rose globally.
Locally, the number residents presumed to have contracted the COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the virus remains at two, Hancock said. However, eight residents who had close contact with those two people are now under quarantine in the city, he said.
None of those eight people are showing symptoms of the virus, said Bob McDonald, executive director of Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment.
There are now nine presumptive cases of COVID-19 statewide.
The pair stood in the center, within the basement of Denver’s City and County Building. Matt Mueller, director of Denver’s Office of Emergency Management, joined them. Surrounded by banks of computers, dry-erase informational boards and hanging placards listing different city services.
The center will house 20 people now, said emergency management spokesperson Loa Esquilin-Garcia. Under full operations, it holds 90.
The center has four main focuses, Mueller said:
Public health and safety and protective measures
Public messaging and communications
Economic impacts to the city, businesses and residents
Continuity of government operations
But as the center ramps up operations, Hancock and McDonald reiterated a need for most Denverites to go about their lives normally, albeit washing their hands more often and taking a few extra sanitary precautions. Risk for the general public remains low and city officials are working to balance a proactive prevention approach while maintaining city services and reducing fear or panic.
To that end, McDonald’s office today will order all restaurants in Denver to post public health directives in their dining rooms and restrooms to remind patrons and employees to wash their hands, Hancock said.
“Let me just pause for a second and remind everyone that the city is in full operation,” Hancock said. “I thought about it this weekend, all that’s going on around the globe, but this city still hosted tens of thousands of people at the Oprah Winfrey event at the Pepsi Center. Today we have over 26,000 people in our city for a volleyball tournament and we are expecting other events to continue to occur.”
At least one high profile cancellation already has hit Denver, however.
While the mayor said he didn’t expect the new handwashing reminders to hurt local businesses, he also described Denver as an “entertainment city” and noted that if people skip dinner, events and more because they fear the virus, the city will inevitably take an economic hit.
“If people don’t go to the restaurant… we don’t get that back,” he said. “That’s revenue that’s lost forever.”
At the moment, Hancock said there are no discussions about canceling Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade later this week.
City officials already are discussing whether employees can work from home and additional precautions, should they be necessary, Hancock said.
In addition, McDonald said he and others are discussing how to protect some of the city’s most vulnerable, like those experiencing homelessness. If they’re unable or unwilling to move to a shelter, McDonald said crews are providing hand sanitizer, maps to sinks they can use and more.
McDonald asked for residents to exercise caution and remain cognizant of their surroundings, wash their hands frequently — especially before meals — and practice social distancing. Anyone feeling ill should remain in their homes and away from crowded areas, he said.
Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-09--CU Buffs’ DL Antonio Alfano suspended indefinitely

When Antonio Alfano chose in November to transfer from Alabama to Colorado , he became the most highly-anticipated newcomer to the program in more than a decade .
When , or if , Alfano , a 6-foot-5 , 280-pound defensive lineman , gets on the field in a Buffaloes ’ uniform remains to be seen , however .
On Monday , CU issued a statement from head coach Karl Dorrell that said , “ Antonio has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules.
” It ’ s another bump in the road for Alfano , a former five-star recruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
1 prospect in the country for the class of 2019 .
Alfano , who grew up in New Jersey , went to three different high schools , playing two years at Bergen Catholic , his junior year at Rahway High School and his senior year at Colonia High School .
After graduating from high school in December of 2018 , he signed with Alabama and had two sacks in the Crimson Tide spring game last year .
Alfano went through fall camp and then left Alabama in September , entered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just know that the guy basically quit , ” Alabama coach Nick Saban said in mid-September to AL.com .
“ He quit going to class .
He quit coming here .
We tried to encourage him .
We tried to help him .
We had tried to set up counseling sessions with him to help him every way we could .
… But he didn ’ t respond to any of the things , so until he responds , you just have to assume the guy quit.
” In December , Alfano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stemmed from his grandmother ’ s health .
He was very close to his grandmother , Victoria Richardson , who had a stroke and went into a coma last fall .
Alfano said it was difficult to focus on the game at that point .
“ It was just a trying time for me being down there , ” he said .
“ I was kind of also a little frustrated , honestly , with not seeing as much playing time as I would like .
I was a little frustrated with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That just made my decision easier.
” Alfano had a relationship with then-CU head coach Mel Tucker , who reached out to him after Alfano entered the transfer portal .
While at Georgia , Tucker recruited Alfano and then got him to commit to CU .
Alfano enrolled at CU in January and said he was motivated by his grandmother , who died on Nov. 29 at the age of 82 .
“ Now that she passed away , it just makes me go even harder because I know she ’ s up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do for her , ” he told Buffzone in December .
Tucker abruptly left CU to take the head coaching position at Michigan State on Feb. 12 , and it ’ s unclear if that has impacted Alfano .
Coaching stability has eluded Alfano to this point .
He was recruited to Alabama by defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski , who was then fired less than a month after Alfano enrolled .
During the recruiting process to CU , Alfano connected with Tucker and defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alfano ’ s suspension is lifted , his playing status for 2020 is unknown .
Because of his transfer from Alabama , he and CU would have to request a waiver from the NCAA to become eligible next year .

When Antonio Alfano chose in November to transfer from Alabama to Colorado, he became the most highly-anticipated newcomer to the program in more than a decade.
When, or if, Alfano, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman, gets on the field in a Buffaloes’ uniform remains to be seen, however.
On Monday, CU issued a statement from head coach Karl Dorrell that said, “Antonio has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules.”
It’s another bump in the road for Alfano, a former five-star recruit who was rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 1 prospect in the country for the class of 2019.
Alfano, who grew up in New Jersey, went to three different high schools, playing two years at Bergen Catholic, his junior year at Rahway High School and his senior year at Colonia High School.
After graduating from high school in December of 2018, he signed with Alabama and had two sacks in the Crimson Tide spring game last year.
Alfano went through fall camp and then left Alabama in September, entered the NCAA transfer portal in October.
“I just know that the guy basically quit,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said in mid-September to AL.com. “He quit going to class. He quit coming here. We tried to encourage him. We tried to help him. We had tried to set up counseling sessions with him to help him every way we could. … But he didn’t respond to any of the things, so until he responds, you just have to assume the guy quit.”
In December, Alfano told Buffzone that his troubles with Alabama stemmed from his grandmother’s health. He was very close to his grandmother, Victoria Richardson, who had a stroke and went into a coma last fall. Alfano said it was difficult to focus on the game at that point.
“It was just a trying time for me being down there,” he said. “I was kind of also a little frustrated, honestly, with not seeing as much playing time as I would like. I was a little frustrated with that and stuff going on back home. That just made my decision easier.”
Alfano had a relationship with then-CU head coach Mel Tucker, who reached out to him after Alfano entered the transfer portal. While at Georgia, Tucker recruited Alfano and then got him to commit to CU.
Alfano enrolled at CU in January and said he was motivated by his grandmother, who died on Nov. 29 at the age of 82.
“Now that she passed away, it just makes me go even harder because I know she’s up there and I’ve got something to do for her,” he told Buffzone in December.
Tucker abruptly left CU to take the head coaching position at Michigan State on Feb. 12, and it’s unclear if that has impacted Alfano.
Coaching stability has eluded Alfano to this point. He was recruited to Alabama by defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski, who was then fired less than a month after Alfano enrolled. During the recruiting process to CU, Alfano connected with Tucker and defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh, who has since left for Tennessee.
Even if Alfano’s suspension is lifted, his playing status for 2020 is unknown. Because of his transfer from Alabama, he and CU would have to request a waiver from the NCAA to become eligible next year.


thedenverpost--2020-03-09--McKinley Wright IV, Tyler Bey nab All-Pac-12 honors for CU Buffs

No doubt , neither McKinley Wright IV nor Tyler Bey finished the regular season the way they preferred for the Colorado men ’ s basketball team .
Yet that didn ’ t prevent the Buffaloes juniors from making a little program history when the All-Pac-12 league honorees were announced on Monday .
Wright joined elite company in CU basketball lore by earning his second consecutive first team All-Pac-12 selection , one of 10 first-team selections decided in a vote of league coaches .
Bey landed on the five-player second team and also became just the second Buffs player to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Year award , which Andre Roberson won in the Pac-12 in 2013 .
Additionally , Wright and Bey were named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team .
Wright was an honorable mention All-Defensive team selection last year .
Wright is the third CU player in the Pac-12 era to earn multiple first team All-Pac-12 honors , joining Roberson and Josh Scott .
Wright is the 13th CU player overall to earn multiple first team all-conference honors , joining a group that also includes Donnie Boyce , Shaun Vandiver , Scott Wedman , Cliff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wilky Gilmore , Ken Charlton , Burdette Haldorson , and Bob Rolander .
• Pac-12 basketball : Our picks for the all-conference teams , postseason award winners • Controversial finish stuns CU , pushes Buffs out of Pac-12 ’ s top four • Keeler : Has CU ’ s slide doomed Tad Boyle ’ s Buffs to the NCAA Tournament ’ s 8-9 game ?
A three-year starter for the Buffs , Wright goes into Wednesday ’ s battle against Washington State in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a career-best 5.6 rebounds per game .
Wright is averaging 5.1 assists per game , and during Saturday ’ s loss at Utah he became just the second Buffs player , after all-time assists leader Jay Humphries , to reach 500 assists in his career .
His 5.7 assists per game average in league play led the Pac-12 .
Wright also ranks 16th on CU ’ s all-time scoring list with 1,349 points , with Charlton ( 1,352 ) and Buffs radio analyst Scott Wilke ( 1,366 ) next on the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year and also won the 2019 Most Improved Player award , yet this year he was recognized as the league ’ s Defensive Player of the Year after posting career-highs in steals ( 46 ) while also recording 35 blocked shots .
His steals total is tied for the 22nd-best single-season mark in team history , and during the Utah loss Bey became the 10th CU player to record 100 blocked shots in his career .
Bey ’ s 96 career steals is tied for 23rd all-time .
Bey is averaging a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 9.1 rebounds per game tops the Pac-12 overall , though that averaged dipped slightly to 8.8 ( second ) in Pac-12 games .
Oregon ’ s Payton Pritchard was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and first-year UCLA coach Mick Cronin was named the Coach of the Year .
Honorable mention ( at least three votes ) : Jaime Jaquez , UCLA .
Honorable mention ( at least three votes ) : Chris Duarte , Jr. , Oregon ; Jalen Hill , R-So.
, UCLA : Jervae Robinson , Sr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sr. , Arizona .
Most Improved Player of the Year : Chris Smith , Jr. , UCLA .

No doubt, neither McKinley Wright IV nor Tyler Bey finished the regular season the way they preferred for the Colorado men’s basketball team.
Yet that didn’t prevent the Buffaloes juniors from making a little program history when the All-Pac-12 league honorees were announced on Monday.
Wright joined elite company in CU basketball lore by earning his second consecutive first team All-Pac-12 selection, one of 10 first-team selections decided in a vote of league coaches. Bey landed on the five-player second team and also became just the second Buffs player to win a league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, which Andre Roberson won in the Pac-12 in 2013.
Additionally, Wright and Bey were named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team. Wright was an honorable mention All-Defensive team selection last year.
Wright is the third CU player in the Pac-12 era to earn multiple first team All-Pac-12 honors, joining Roberson and Josh Scott. Wright is the 13th CU player overall to earn multiple first team all-conference honors, joining a group that also includes Donnie Boyce, Shaun Vandiver, Scott Wedman, Cliff Meely, Chuck Gardner, Jim Davis, Wilky Gilmore, Ken Charlton, Burdette Haldorson, and Bob Rolander.
A three-year starter for the Buffs, Wright goes into Wednesday’s battle against Washington State in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament with a career-best-tying scoring average of 14.2, along with a career-best 5.6 rebounds per game. Wright is averaging 5.1 assists per game, and during Saturday’s loss at Utah he became just the second Buffs player, after all-time assists leader Jay Humphries, to reach 500 assists in his career. His 5.7 assists per game average in league play led the Pac-12.
Wright also ranks 16th on CU’s all-time scoring list with 1,349 points, with Charlton (1,352) and Buffs radio analyst Scott Wilke (1,366) next on the list.
Bey was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection last year and also won the 2019 Most Improved Player award, yet this year he was recognized as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year after posting career-highs in steals (46) while also recording 35 blocked shots. His steals total is tied for the 22nd-best single-season mark in team history, and during the Utah loss Bey became the 10th CU player to record 100 blocked shots in his career.
Bey’s 96 career steals is tied for 23rd all-time. Bey is averaging a career-best 13.7 points per game and Bey’s 9.1 rebounds per game tops the Pac-12 overall, though that averaged dipped slightly to 8.8 (second) in Pac-12 games.
Oregon’s Payton Pritchard was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and first-year UCLA coach Mick Cronin was named the Coach of the Year.
All-Pac-12 Conference first team
Oscar da Silva, Jr., Stanford
CJ Elleby, So., Washington State
Remy Martin, Jr., Arizona State
Zeke Nnaji, Fr., Arizona
Onyeka Okongwu, Fr., USC
Payton Pritchard, Sr., Oregon
Chris Smith, Jr., UCLA
Isaiah Stewart, Fr., Washington
Tres Tinkle, Sr., Oregon State
McKinley Wright IV, Jr., Colorado
All-Pac-12 Conference second team
Timmy Allen, So., Utah
Tyler Bey, Jr., Colorado
Matt Bradley, So., Cal
Nico Mannion, Fr., Arizona
Jonah Mathews, Sr., USC
Pac-12 Conference All-Freshman team
Nico Mannion, Arizona
Zeke Nnaji, Arizona
Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Isaiah Stewart, Washington
Tyrell Terry, Stanford
Honorable mention (at least three votes): Jaime Jaquez, UCLA.
Pac-12 Conference All-Defensive team
Tyler Bey, Jr., Colorado
Kylor Kelley, Sr., Oregon State
Jonah Mathews, Sr., USC
Bryce Wills, So., Stanford
McKinley Wright IV, Jr., Colorado
Honorable mention (at least three votes): Chris Duarte, Jr., Oregon; Jalen Hill, R-So., UCLA: Jervae Robinson, Sr., Washington State; Dylan Smith, Sr., Arizona.
Player of the Year: Payton Pritchard, Sr., Oregon.
Defensive Player of the Year: Tyler Bey, Jr., Colorado
Freshman of the Year: Zeke Nnaji, Arizona.
Sixth Man of the Year: Alonzo Verge Jr., Jr., Arizona State.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Chris Smith, Jr., UCLA.
Coach of the Year: Mick Cronin, UCLA.


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Ask Amy: My volleyball coach won’t let me play unless I shave my underarms and legs

Dear Readers : Every year I step away from my daily column to work on other creative projects .
I ’ ve gathered some topical “ Best Of ” columns from 10 years ago .
Today ’ s compilation deals with questions related to teenagers .
I ’ ll be back in two weeks with fresh columns .
Dear Amy : I am a girl in my junior year of high school , and the volleyball coach won ’ t let me compete until I shave my underarms and legs ( our uniforms are sleeveless tops and shorts ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced into something I feel is completely unnecessary .
Is this discrimination ?
Is there anything I can do ?
I really want to play volleyball !
Dear Gone : If your coach also insisted that the male volleyball or basketball players must shave their underarms and legs , then perhaps this wouldn ’ t qualify as discrimination .
I shared your letter with Lenora Lapidus , director of the Women ’ s Rights Project for the American Civil Liberties Union , who responded , “ This is clearly gender discrimination , based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should look.
” Lapidus would like to remind your coach that Title IX prohibits discrimination in any institution receiving federal funds .
Lapidus suggests you start by talking to the coach .
“ Try to work it out at school .
It seems like something they should come around about because this is fairly clear-cut.
” If your coach insists on this shaving rule , take it to the principal .
I hope you will stand up for your right not to be forced to shave .
Dear Amy : I have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
I usually hang out with him and his friends .
They ’ re all teens .
His friends are really nice , but when we are in school , they sometimes ignore me when they see me .
I feel confused about why they act like that .
Whenever we go out and do stuff together , they talk to me , but when we are in school , it ’ s like I ’ m invisible .
What is wrong with me ?
Is something wrong with them ?
Dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , and there is nothing wrong with them .
They ’ re being unexceptionally normal .
They have temporary teen-onset family blindness .
They are going through a phase .
Their behavior isn ’ t personal .
You probably notice that your brother also ignores your parents when you ’ re out in public together ?
To sum up : Sometimes it ’ s no fun to be related to a teenager .
Dear Amy : I am a secretary at your average middle school .
The other secretary and I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cellphone generation do not know how to use a landline phone !
Students are not allowed to use their cellphones during school hours , but they can use the office phones to call home .
This is what concerns us : They do not listen for a dial tone .
They do not know to dial one before the area code and number .
They do not know their home number or the number of a parent ’ s cellphone , because they are used to scrolling through their cellphone to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their children .
Dear Secretary : I appreciate your suggestion , and so , parents , take a break from the other challenging parenting issues : The “ sex talk , ” the “ drug talk , ” the “ online predators ” talk , and show your kids how to use a landline phone .
Most importantly , make sure the kids know and memorize all the family phone numbers , which means that they will need to memorize a series of cell numbers .
This is vital .
After this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can introduce these schoolchildren to the mysteries of the old Selectric typewriter : Kids !
It ’ s a keyboard and a printer rolled into one !
Dear Amy : I agree that memorizing important phone numbers and knowing how to dial a landline are good skills .
I would add one more : When my daughters flew as unaccompanied minors , I bought them a phone card and taught them how to use a pay phone and how to make a collect call .
They are unique in their peer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something called a pay phone .
Dear Luddite : Now that your kids know how to use a pay phone , I wish them luck in finding one to use , so you should also train your children on how to be discerning in finding an adult to help them , if they ’ re in a jam .
To quote one of my heroes , Fred Rogers , “ Look for the helpers .
”

Dear Readers: Every year I step away from my daily column to work on other creative projects. I’ve gathered some topical “Best Of” columns from 10 years ago. Today’s compilation deals with questions related to teenagers. I’ll be back in two weeks with fresh columns.
Dear Amy: I am a girl in my junior year of high school, and the volleyball coach won’t let me compete until I shave my underarms and legs (our uniforms are sleeveless tops and shorts).
I don’t want to be forced into something I feel is completely unnecessary. Is this discrimination? Is there anything I can do? I really want to play volleyball!
— Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Dear Gone: If your coach also insisted that the male volleyball or basketball players must shave their underarms and legs, then perhaps this wouldn’t qualify as discrimination.
I shared your letter with Lenora Lapidus, director of the Women’s Rights Project for the American Civil Liberties Union, who responded, “This is clearly gender discrimination, based on stereotypes of how girls and women should look.” Lapidus would like to remind your coach that Title IX prohibits discrimination in any institution receiving federal funds.
Lapidus suggests you start by talking to the coach. “Try to work it out at school. It seems like something they should come around about because this is fairly clear-cut.”
If your coach insists on this shaving rule, take it to the principal.
I hope you will stand up for your right not to be forced to shave.
November 2010
Dear Amy: I have an older brother. He and I are close. I usually hang out with him and his friends. They’re all teens. His friends are really nice, but when we are in school, they sometimes ignore me when they see me. I feel confused about why they act like that.
Whenever we go out and do stuff together, they talk to me, but when we are in school, it’s like I’m invisible. What is wrong with me? Is something wrong with them?
— Confused
Dear Confused: There is nothing wrong with you, and there is nothing wrong with them. They’re being unexceptionally normal. They have temporary teen-onset family blindness. They are going through a phase.
Their behavior isn’t personal. You probably notice that your brother also ignores your parents when you’re out in public together?
To sum up: Sometimes it’s no fun to be related to a teenager.
April 2010
Dear Amy: I am a secretary at your average middle school. The other secretary and I have noticed an alarming trend: Children of the cellphone generation do not know how to use a landline phone!
Students are not allowed to use their cellphones during school hours, but they can use the office phones to call home. This is what concerns us: They do not listen for a dial tone. They do not know to dial one before the area code and number. They do not know their home number or the number of a parent’s cellphone, because they are used to scrolling through their cellphone to find it.
Parents need to review this with their children.
— School Secretary
Dear Secretary: I appreciate your suggestion, and so, parents, take a break from the other challenging parenting issues: The “sex talk,” the “drug talk,” the “online predators” talk, and show your kids how to use a landline phone.
Most importantly, make sure the kids know and memorize all the family phone numbers, which means that they will need to memorize a series of cell numbers. This is vital.
After this lesson in “old school” technology, you can introduce these schoolchildren to the mysteries of the old Selectric typewriter: Kids! It’s a keyboard and a printer rolled into one!
October 2010
Dear Amy: I agree that memorizing important phone numbers and knowing how to dial a landline are good skills. I would add one more: When my daughters flew as unaccompanied minors, I bought them a phone card and taught them how to use a pay phone and how to make a collect call. They are unique in their peer group to even know that there is something called a pay phone.
— Fellow Luddite
Dear Luddite: Now that your kids know how to use a pay phone, I wish them luck in finding one to use, so you should also train your children on how to be discerning in finding an adult to help them, if they’re in a jam. To quote one of my heroes, Fred Rogers, “Look for the helpers.”
October 2010
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--PHOTOS: Denver Nuggets host Milwaukee Bucks, March 9, 2020

Denver Parks & Recreation held its annual Bison Auction at Genesee Bison Ranch on March 6 , 2020 .
According @ @ @ @ @ Denver Parks & Recreation , this year 's sale of thirty-five young bison raised $ @ @ @ @ @ keeps the herd 's population size at a healthy level .
The herds are descended @ @ @ @ @ in North America and ...

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets pleads his case that he was fouled by D.J. Wilson (5) of the Milwaukee Bucks on a called block as head coach Michael Malone tosses the ball during the third quarter on Monday, March 9, 2020.


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Pearl Jam postpones first leg of tour — including Denver stop — over coronavirus concerns

Pearl Jam is postponing the North American leg of its Gigaton world tour because of concerns over the new coronavirus , the band announced Monday .
Seventeen U.S. and Canadian performances , beginning on March 18 in Toronto through April 19 in Oakland , California , were indefinitely postponed , according to the band ’ s website .
Pearl Jam said it was announcing the postponements “ with deep frustration and regret.
” “ The levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level , ” a band statement said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique group of passionate fans who travel far and wide .
We ’ ve always been humbled by this and respect their energies and devotion .
However in this case , travel is something to avoid.
” New dates will be determined and current tickets will be honored for those dates , the band said .
For now , the European shows from June 23 to July 23 are still scheduled along with two September shows in Asbury Park in New Jersey , and Dana Point in California , according to the band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were personally being affected by the COVID-19 health fears .
The band is from Washington state , where two dozen people have died , most of them at a Seattle-area nursing home .
“ As residents of the city of Seattle , we ’ ve been hit hard and have witnessed firsthand how quickly these disastrous situations can escalate , ” the band said .
“ Our kids ’ schools have closed along with universities and businesses .
It ’ s been brutal.
” Band members also criticized a lack of clarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying safe and going to work , saying they didn ’ t believe the virus would be controlled in the coming weeks .
“ The tour we ’ ve been busy planning for months is now in jeopardy , ” the band said .
“ We have and will always keep the safety and well-being of our supporters as top priority .
”

Pearl Jam is postponing the North American leg of its Gigaton world tour because of concerns over the new coronavirus, the band announced Monday.
Seventeen U.S. and Canadian performances, beginning on March 18 in Toronto through April 19 in Oakland, California, were indefinitely postponed, according to the band’s website.
Pearl Jam said it was announcing the postponements “with deep frustration and regret.”
“The levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level,” a band statement said. “Add to that we also have a unique group of passionate fans who travel far and wide. We’ve always been humbled by this and respect their energies and devotion. However in this case, travel is something to avoid.”
New dates will be determined and current tickets will be honored for those dates, the band said.
For now, the European shows from June 23 to July 23 are still scheduled along with two September shows in Asbury Park in New Jersey, and Dana Point in California, according to the band’s website.
Band members said they were personally being affected by the COVID-19 health fears. The band is from Washington state, where two dozen people have died, most of them at a Seattle-area nursing home.
“As residents of the city of Seattle, we’ve been hit hard and have witnessed firsthand how quickly these disastrous situations can escalate,” the band said. “Our kids’ schools have closed along with universities and businesses. It’s been brutal.”
Band members also criticized a lack of clarity from the government when it comes to staying safe and going to work, saying they didn’t believe the virus would be controlled in the coming weeks.
“The tour we’ve been busy planning for months is now in jeopardy,” the band said. “We have and will always keep the safety and well-being of our supporters as top priority.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon suffers injury in 3-1 loss at Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of Monday ’ s 3-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center .
Colorado was trailing 2-0 at the time of the injury and MacKinnon — who leads the team and is fourth in the NHL with 93 points — did not return .
Avs coach Jared Bednar was among those who didn ’ t immediately know how MacKinnon was injured or the severity of it .
“ He leaves the game , I ’ m concerned right away .
I have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bednar said in his postgame press conference .
“ Honestly , I just went ( into the coach ’ s room ) and came out here .
I know he wasn ’ t good enough to come back in the game tonight .
So , yeah , there ’ s some concern.
” The injury-depleted Avs , who were completing a three-game Pacific Coast trip at L.A. , were already without forwards Mikko Rantanen ( shoulder area ) , Nazem Kadri ( leg ) , Andre Burakovsky ( lower body ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus defenseman Cale Makar ( upper body ) and goalie Philipp Grubauer ( lower body ) .
Rantanen , Calvert and Grubauer each went down Feb. 15 against the Kings at the Air Force Academy .
Los Angeles , which has a Western Conference-low 62 points , built a 2-0 lead from fortunate bounces that Austin Wagner and Mikey Anderson turned into goals .
Wagner scored on a rebound off MacKinnon ’ s chest and Avs defenseman Kevin Connauton inadvertently redirected Anderson ’ s shot into the net with his stick .
Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis for the Central Division/Western Conference lead but started flat in the second game of a consecutive-night stretch .
The Avs mustered just four shots in the first period and trailed 2-0 after the first 20 minutes .
They got better as the game went on and came within 2-1 early in the third period on Pierre-Edouard Bellemare ’ s fluky goal — a weak shot that bounced awkwardly in front of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick .
The Avs ( 41-20-8 , 90 points ) pressed for the equalizer but couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-1 by beating goalie Pavel Franvouz with a backhander atop the crease .
The Blues ( 41-19-10 , 92 points ) lost Monday 2-1 at home to the Florida Panthers .
St. Louis has 12 remaining games , the Avs 13 .
“ We would have liked to win this one , but … it ’ s a game of inches , a game of bounces one way or the other and tonight we didn ’ t get them , ” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said .
Regarding MacKinnon ’ s injury , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) seeing a teammate go down .
It doesn ’ t matter who it is .
It ( stinks ) .
I ’ m not going to stand here and give you guys an injury report .
I haven ’ t even seen the guy .
I ’ m sure he ’ s fine.
” MacKinnon , who many consider a Hart Trophy favorite as league MVP , is among three Avs to have played in all 69 games this season .
Winger Matt Nieto and defenseman Sam Girard are the others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ locker room to nonessential personnel indefinitely because or coronavirus concerns .
And the ban began at the same time Santa Clara County banned all large gatherings , including Sharks games at SAP Center — where the Avs won 4-3 Sunday night .
The Santa Clara County ban begins Wednesday for a three-week period .
Footnotes : The Avs recalled rookie forward Martin Kaut from the minors Monday on an emergency loan because they weren ’ t sure Vladislav Namestnikov could play .
Both took warmup and Namestnikov felt good enough to play and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also was scratched and Colorado went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen , with regular blue-liner Mark Barberio playing forward .
… The Avs return home and begin a four-game homestand Wednesday against the New York Rangers .

LOS ANGELES — Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of Monday’s 3-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.
Colorado was trailing 2-0 at the time of the injury and MacKinnon — who leads the team and is fourth in the NHL with 93 points — did not return. Avs coach Jared Bednar said after the game he wasn’t sure of the severity of the injury.
“He leaves the game, I’m concerned right away. I have no idea (of the severity),” Bednar said in his postgame news conference. “I know he wasn’t good enough to come back in the game tonight. So, yeah, there’s some concern.”
The injury-depleted Avs, who were completing a three-game Pacific Coast trip at L.A., were already without forwards Mikko Rantanen (shoulder area), Nazem Kadri (leg), Andre Burakovsky (lower body) and Matt Calvert (lower body), plus defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) and goalie Philipp Grubauer (lower body). Rantanen, Calvert and Grubauer each went down Feb. 15 against the Kings at the Air Force Academy.
Los Angeles, which has a Western Conference-low 62 points, built a 2-0 lead from fortunate bounces that Austin Wagner and Mikey Anderson turned into goals. Wagner scored on a rebound off MacKinnon’s chest and Avs defenseman Kevin Connauton inadvertently redirected Anderson’s shot into the net with his stick.
Colorado was in a position to tie St. Louis for the Central Division/Western Conference lead but started flat in the second game of a consecutive-night stretch. The Avs mustered just four shots in the first period and trailed 2-0 after the first 20 minutes. They got better as the game went on and came within 2-1 early in the third period on Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s fluky goal — a weak shot that bounced awkwardly in front of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.
The Avs (41-20-8, 90 points) pressed for the equalizer but couldn’t deliver it before Alex Iafallo made it 3-1 by beating goalie Pavel Franvouz with a backhander atop the crease.
The Blues (41-19-10, 92 points) lost Monday 2-1 at home to the Florida Panthers. St. Louis has 12 remaining games, the Avs 13.
“We would have liked to win this one, but … it’s a game of inches, a game of bounces one way or the other and tonight we didn’t get them,” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said.
Regarding MacKinnon’s injury, Landeskog said: “It (stinks) seeing a teammate go down. It doesn’t matter who it is. It (stinks). I’m not going to stand here and give you guys an injury report. I haven’t even seen the guy. I’m sure he’s fine.”
MacKinnon, who many consider a Hart Trophy favorite as league MVP, is among three Avs to have played in all 69 games this season. Winger Matt Nieto and defenseman Sam Girard are the others.
Beginning Monday, the Avalanche closed its locker room to nonessential personnel indefinitely because or coronavirus concerns. And the ban began at the same time Santa Clara County banned all large gatherings, including Sharks games at SAP Center — where the Avs won 4-3 Sunday night. The Santa Clara County ban begins Wednesday for a three-week period.
Footnotes: The Avs recalled rookie forward Martin Kaut from the minors Monday on an emergency loan because they weren’t sure Vladislav Namestnikov could play. Both took warmup and Namestnikov felt good enough to play and Kaut was scratched. Forward Sheldon Dries also was scratched and Colorado went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, with regular blue-liner Mark Barberio playing forward. … The Avs return home and begin a four-game homestand Wednesday against the New York Rangers.


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Jamal Murray powers Nuggets past NBA-best Bucks

The Nuggets found a small slice of the energy and poise they ’ ve been searching for Monday night .
Against the Milwaukee Bucks , who were without reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and opted not to play all-star Khris Middleton , the Nuggets found a semblance of rhythm in their 109-95 victory at the Pepsi Center that they ’ ll desperately need heading into their most daunting stretch of the schedule to date .
“ That second half defense , I think we held them to 34 percent in that second half , that was fun to watch , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I thought Jamal ( Murray ) was really impactful.
” With seven of their next eight games on the road , Denver guard Jamal Murray was adamant that this one wouldn ’ t get away .
His 21 points , five rebounds and six assists powered the Nuggets ( 43-21 ) on a night when Nikola Jokic was hardly his best version .
But after carrying the Nuggets through their bout of injuries , Jokic probably needed the supplementary help Jerami Grant , Paul Millsap , Gary Harris and Will Barton provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That it came against many of Milwaukee ’ s reserves probably won ’ t matter to a team that had been just 4-4 since the break .
“ This was a game that we needed , ” Malone said .
“ Let ’ s be honest.
” Millsap added 20 points and 10 rebounds , while Grant , his versatile backup , added 19 points and six rebounds .
Together , they drained six of Denver ’ s 16 3-pointers .
Barton , Harris and Murray each sunk three of their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , Denver ’ s defense held the Bucks to just 37 percent and turned 17 Milwaukee turnovers into 17 points .
Both teams looked like they were going through the motions in a lackluster third quarter before a jarring alley-oop from Murray to Grant set the Pepsi Center off .
But as has happened far too often lately , the Nuggets ’ transition defense failed to track back , and Milwaukee sharpshooter Kyle Korver burned them for a quick 3-pointer to draw within 74-69 .
Two possessions later , Murray had what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year when he elevated over Bucks forward D.J .
Wilson .
But it was whistled an offensive foul , much to the chagrin of the rowdy crowd .
“ It definitely wasn ’ t a foul , ” Murray said .
“ … I felt like I had a step , so I just took off.
” Still , the energy was infectious , and it resonated into the fourth quarter .
Following Saturday ’ s dispiriting loss in Cleveland , Malone questioned what exactly was plaguing his team since the all-star break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the NBA-best Bucks that had his attention heading into Monday night as much as his own team .
“ I ’ m not even worried about them , and I say that with no disrespect , because they are a great team , ” Malone said .
“ Just trying to find a way as a head coach to get our group back to playing the way I know we ’ re capable of .
… That ’ s my No .
1 concern .
How can I get our group back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rebounding and , more important , going out there and just playing more free , not tight and having some fun.
” He dismissed the idea that his team would simply crank their urgency once the postseason arrived .
“ When I was in Cleveland , as a coach , you always say , ‘ You know , you can ’ t flip a switch , ’ ” Malone added .
“ When we had LeBron ( James ) , we were able to flip the switch quite a bit .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We don ’ t have LeBron James .
Not many teams do .
So , no , with 19 games to go , I can ’ t sit here and say I would feel good about going through 18 games , 19 games and saying , ‘ OK , guys , here we go .
Let ’ s turn it back on.
’ ” The Nuggets were up by as many as 16 points before their defense slipped in the second quarter , and they took a 62-54 lead into halftime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ combo , each pouring in 15 points over the first two quarters to help stabilize their respective units .
The two combined for five 3-pointers as part of Denver ’ s outside assault , but Millsap also turned back the clock on two rim-rattling dunks .
Murray and Barton played with their typical energy , adding 10 points each .

The Nuggets found a small slice of the energy and poise they’ve been searching for Monday night.
Against the Milwaukee Bucks, who were without reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and opted not to play all-star Khris Middleton, the Nuggets found a semblance of rhythm in their 109-95 victory at the Pepsi Center that they’ll desperately need heading into their most daunting stretch of the schedule to date.
“That second half defense, I think we held them to 34 percent in that second half, that was fun to watch,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “And I thought Jamal (Murray) was really impactful.”
With seven of their next eight games on the road, Denver guard Jamal Murray was adamant that this one wouldn’t get away. His 21 points, five rebounds and six assists powered the Nuggets (43-21) on a night when Nikola Jokic was hardly his best version.
But after carrying the Nuggets through their bout of injuries, Jokic probably needed the supplementary help Jerami Grant, Paul Millsap, Gary Harris and Will Barton provided against the NBA’s top team.
That it came against many of Milwaukee’s reserves probably won’t matter to a team that had been just 4-4 since the break.
“This was a game that we needed,” Malone said. “Let’s be honest.”
Millsap added 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Grant, his versatile backup, added 19 points and six rebounds. Together, they drained six of Denver’s 16 3-pointers. Barton, Harris and Murray each sunk three of their own on a blistering 3-point shooting night.
Meanwhile, Denver’s defense held the Bucks to just 37 percent and turned 17 Milwaukee turnovers into 17 points.
Both teams looked like they were going through the motions in a lackluster third quarter before a jarring alley-oop from Murray to Grant set the Pepsi Center off. But as has happened far too often lately, the Nuggets’ transition defense failed to track back, and Milwaukee sharpshooter Kyle Korver burned them for a quick 3-pointer to draw within 74-69.
Two possessions later, Murray had what appeared to be the dunk of the year when he elevated over Bucks forward D.J. Wilson. But it was whistled an offensive foul, much to the chagrin of the rowdy crowd.
“It definitely wasn’t a foul,” Murray said. “… I felt like I had a step, so I just took off.”
Still, the energy was infectious, and it resonated into the fourth quarter.
Following Saturday’s dispiriting loss in Cleveland, Malone questioned what exactly was plaguing his team since the all-star break. As such, it wasn’t the NBA-best Bucks that had his attention heading into Monday night as much as his own team.
“I’m not even worried about them, and I say that with no disrespect, because they are a great team,” Malone said. “Just trying to find a way as a head coach to get our group back to playing the way I know we’re capable of. … That’s my No. 1 concern. How can I get our group back to defending, taking care of it, rebounding and, more important, going out there and just playing more free, not tight and having some fun.”
He dismissed the idea that his team would simply crank their urgency once the postseason arrived.
“When I was in Cleveland, as a coach, you always say, ‘You know, you can’t flip a switch,’” Malone added. “When we had LeBron (James), we were able to flip the switch quite a bit. He’s that kind of a player. We don’t have LeBron James. Not many teams do. So, no, with 19 games to go, I can’t sit here and say I would feel good about going through 18 games, 19 games and saying, ‘OK, guys, here we go. Let’s turn it back on.’”
The Nuggets were up by as many as 16 points before their defense slipped in the second quarter, and they took a 62-54 lead into halftime. Millsap and Grant were a tremendous one-two combo, each pouring in 15 points over the first two quarters to help stabilize their respective units.
The two combined for five 3-pointers as part of Denver’s outside assault, but Millsap also turned back the clock on two rim-rattling dunks.
Murray and Barton played with their typical energy, adding 10 points each.


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Boulder judge rules preliminary hearing in Aidan Atkinson sex assault case be closed to the public

A preliminary hearing for a former Fairview High School quarterback who is accused of sexual assault will be closed to the media and general public , the judge in the case has ruled .
Aidan Atkinson , who is charged with sexually assaulting another student in 2018 , through his attorney filed a motion to have the Boulder courtroom “ closed ” for his preliminary hearing scheduled on March 31 .
Atkinson was a juvenile at the time of the alleged incident but has since turned 18 .
Atkinson was arrested in November on three felony charges of sexual assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault and five misdemeanor charges of unlawful sexual contact .
Boulder police confirmed in late January that Atkinson , who is no longer attending Fairview , would face additional charges in connection with the case .
On Monday , District Chief Judge Ingrid S. Bakke ruled that the hearing , as part of a juvenile proceeding , will be closed to the public .
“ Because the adult and juvenile systems serve different functions , a juvenile court has much more discretion than an adult criminal court in choosing how it conducts proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public , ” according to the six-page ruling signed by Bakke .
“ The general public shall not be excluded unless the court determines that it is in the best interest of the child or of the community to exclude the general public , and , in such event , the court shall admit only such persons as have an interest int he case.
” Those allowed to attend the hearing will be the suspect , the named victims , and two personal representatives for each of these individuals , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generated media coverage from outlets such as The Denver Post , the Daily Camera of Boulder , USA Today , Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Sun-Times .
Before the allegations and charges , Atkinson had a football scholarship to Northwestern University , which has since been lost .
“ At this point in the proceedings he is presumed innocent and the Court has not yet found through an evidentiary hearing whether there is probable cause that he committed the alleged offenses , ” said the ruling .
“ The Juvenile ’ s right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of counsel are overriding interests that are likely to be prejudiced if the courtroom remains open during the preliminary hearing.
” The Denver Post , Colorado Press Association and the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition filed pleadings in opposition to closing the hearing .
“ It is quite disappointing that the court ordered the closure of the entire preliminary hearing when two of the three alleged victims did not ask that the public be excluded during their testimony .
One of the alleged victims affirmatively asked that the hearing be open , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado Freedom of Information Committee and an attorney representing The Post .
“ It is also erroneous for the court to characterize its order — barring the public from observing even a single minute of this hearing — as a ‘ partial ’ closure order , under the theory that future proceedings in this case might be open to the public.
” Bakke wrote , in the closure order : “ The restriction is no broader than necessary .
”

A preliminary hearing for a former Fairview High School quarterback who is accused of sexual assault will be closed to the media and general public, the judge in the case has ruled.
Aidan Atkinson, who is charged with sexually assaulting another student in 2018, through his attorney filed a motion to have the Boulder courtroom “closed” for his preliminary hearing scheduled on March 31.
Atkinson was a juvenile at the time of the alleged incident but has since turned 18.
Atkinson was arrested in November on three felony charges of sexual assault, one felony charge of attempted sexual assault and five misdemeanor charges of unlawful sexual contact. Boulder police confirmed in late January that Atkinson, who is no longer attending Fairview, would face additional charges in connection with the case.
On Monday, District Chief Judge Ingrid S. Bakke ruled that the hearing, as part of a juvenile proceeding, will be closed to the public.
“Because the adult and juvenile systems serve different functions, a juvenile court has much more discretion than an adult criminal court in choosing how it conducts proceedings, including whether to close the courtroom to the public,” according to the six-page ruling signed by Bakke. “The general public shall not be excluded unless the court determines that it is in the best interest of the child or of the community to exclude the general public, and, in such event, the court shall admit only such persons as have an interest int he case.”
Those allowed to attend the hearing will be the suspect, the named victims, and two personal representatives for each of these individuals, according to the order.
The case has generated media coverage from outlets such as The Denver Post, the Daily Camera of Boulder, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Sun-Times. Before the allegations and charges, Atkinson had a football scholarship to Northwestern University, which has since been lost.
“At this point in the proceedings he is presumed innocent and the Court has not yet found through an evidentiary hearing whether there is probable cause that he committed the alleged offenses,” said the ruling. “The Juvenile’s right to a fair trial and effective assistance of counsel are overriding interests that are likely to be prejudiced if the courtroom remains open during the preliminary hearing.”
The Denver Post, Colorado Press Association and the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition filed pleadings in opposition to closing the hearing.
“It is quite disappointing that the court ordered the closure of the entire preliminary hearing when two of the three alleged victims did not ask that the public be excluded during their testimony. One of the alleged victims affirmatively asked that the hearing be open,” said Steven Zansberg, president of the Colorado Freedom of Information Committee and an attorney representing The Post.
“It is also erroneous for the court to characterize its order — barring the public from observing even a single minute of this hearing — as a ‘partial’ closure order, under the theory that future proceedings in this case might be open to the public.”
Bakke wrote, in the closure order: “The restriction is no broader than necessary.”


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Colorado’s coronavirus tally: 184 people tested, 12 cases of COVID-19 identified

As the number of coronavirus cases in Colorado rose to 12 on Monday , state health officials said they ’ ve now tested 184 people for the highly infectious COVID-19 respiratory disease that ’ s sweeping the globe .
In the process of evaluating those patients , Colorado ’ s state lab performed a total of 296 tests , because health officials prefer to run two samples per patient , though they can ’ t always do that .
That ’ s still below the state ’ s full capacity to test for the new coronavirus .
Health officials announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rely on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for initial testing , and now had the ability to conduct up to 160 tests a day .
In a statement Monday evening , officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reiterated that while they can perform that many tests per day , they “ must prioritize testing specimens that meet the current criteria.
” Those criteria include fever or signs of respiratory illness and either having had contact with a COVID-19 patient or having traveled to a location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State health officials are urging Coloradans who fear they ’ re infected to call their health providers first to arrange a visit .
If those providers determine a patient needs to be tested , they will collect specimens from the nose and throat to be sent to the state lab .
Colorado currently has 900 coronavirus testing kits , and is expecting 700 more from the CDC , officials said .
Monday saw the announcement of four new cases , among people living in Denver , Arapahoe , Eagle and Larimer counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australians visiting Aspen who may have been exposed .
Other cases previously were reported in Douglas , Summit and El Paso counties .
The tests conducted in Colorado are considered “ presumptive positive.
” The state has sent them to the CDC for official confirmation .
The state health department has not yet heard back from the CDC on tests performed on samples taken last week .
“ We expect CDC to send results from the presumptive positive tests we submitted within the next couple of days , ” spokeswoman Gabi Johnston said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another potential case , involving a Denver woman in her 70s , have proved inconclusive , meaning the state will send the results to the CDC for additional testing , said the state health department .
“ Out of an abundance of caution , CDPHE will treat that individual as a positive case until we receive conclusive results , ” the department said in a news release .
It is not clear how the woman was exposed to the new coronavirus , with health officials saying the case is under investigation .
Alli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was tested for COVID-19 after showing symptoms — a chest cough and low fever — on Friday , but has not yet received test results .
The 29-year-old is in quarantine based on the recommendations of her doctors .
No state or local agency has contacted her , Owen said in an email .
“ I ’ m just worried about what this means as the virus continues to spread , ” she said .
“ This is just the beginning .
It doesn ’ t seem we are adequately prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to properly contain , we need to be able to test everyone.
” When asked about a potential delay in testing samples , Johnston said in an email : “ Samples are being tested and reported within 24 hours as long as all of the required information is provided at the time of submission .
Missing information will delay the results.
” In Aspen , local health officials were taking samples from 13 people who are experiencing “ fairly mild ” symptoms of the new coronavirus .
The individuals had contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus after returning to Australia .
The individuals , who are in isolation , are all Australians and visiting the mountain town , said Karen Koenemann , public health director for Pitkin County .
In Denver , the mayor on Monday ordered a partial opening of the city ’ s emergency operations center as at least eight residents are in quarantine after having contact with a Denverite who has tested positive .
Later in the day , when the state Department of Public Health and Environment announced new cases , officials initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has contracted COVID-19 had no known contact with an infected person or recent travel history .
However , the agency issued a correction Monday evening saying the woman has recently traveled within the U.S .
In Larimer County , a woman in her 50s with COVID-19 has been diagnosed with pneumonia .
It ’ s unclear how the woman , who lives in Johnstown , contracted the coronavirus .
In Eagle County , the new case announced Monday involves a resident in her 70s .
The woman has no known contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the U.S. , according to the news release .
And Monday night , health officials announced a fourth case : a woman in her 30s living in Arapahoe County .
The Tri-County Health Department said in a news release Monday night that the woman lives in Centennial and recently traveled to India .
“ We are just learning of this positive test from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and will begin our contact investigation to determine if there were any other potential exposures , ” John M. Douglas Jr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department , said in the release .
Local officials also released more details about one of the Douglas County patients , saying she visited the Castle Rock Department of Motor Vehicles , at 301 Wilcox St. , on March 3 .
She visited between noon and 3 p.m. Also Monday , the state Division of Insurance , under orders from Gov .
Jared Polis , asked insurers to waive costs , such as copays or deductibles , when patients seeking COVID-19 testing visit an in-network doctor ’ s office , urgent care center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provider can not do the testing , insurers must cover an out-of-network doctor , according to the news release .
“ Our administration is taking swift action to ensure Coloradans can get tested for COVID-19 without financial fear , ” Polis said in a statement .
“ This important step will help ensure cost barriers do not stand in the way of people getting tested.
” The department is also directing insurers to cover one-time early refills of any prescriptions so people have access to them if they decide to limit contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

LATEST: 10 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Colorado bring first sign of “limited community spread”
As the number of coronavirus cases in Colorado rose to 12 on Monday, state health officials said they’ve now tested 184 people for the highly infectious COVID-19 respiratory disease that’s sweeping the globe.
In the process of evaluating those patients, Colorado’s state lab performed a total of 296 tests, because health officials prefer to run two samples per patient, though they can’t always do that.
That’s still below the state’s full capacity to test for the new coronavirus. Health officials announced one week ago they no longer had to rely on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for initial testing, and now had the ability to conduct up to 160 tests a day.
In a statement Monday evening, officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reiterated that while they can perform that many tests per day, they “must prioritize testing specimens that meet the current criteria.”
Those criteria include fever or signs of respiratory illness and either having had contact with a COVID-19 patient or having traveled to a location with ongoing community spread of the disease.
State health officials are urging Coloradans who fear they’re infected to call their health providers first to arrange a visit. If those providers determine a patient needs to be tested, they will collect specimens from the nose and throat to be sent to the state lab.
Colorado currently has 900 coronavirus testing kits, and is expecting 700 more from the CDC, officials said.
Four new cases
Monday saw the announcement of four new cases, among people living in Denver, Arapahoe, Eagle and Larimer counties, as well as concerns about 13 Australians visiting Aspen who may have been exposed. Other cases previously were reported in Douglas, Summit and El Paso counties.
The tests conducted in Colorado are considered “presumptive positive.” The state has sent them to the CDC for official confirmation. The state health department has not yet heard back from the CDC on tests performed on samples taken last week.
“We expect CDC to send results from the presumptive positive tests we submitted within the next couple of days,” spokeswoman Gabi Johnston said in an email.
Test results for another potential case, involving a Denver woman in her 70s, have proved inconclusive, meaning the state will send the results to the CDC for additional testing, said the state health department.
“Out of an abundance of caution, CDPHE will treat that individual as a positive case until we receive conclusive results,” the department said in a news release.
It is not clear how the woman was exposed to the new coronavirus, with health officials saying the case is under investigation.
Waiting for word
Alli Owen, a Littleton resident, said she was tested for COVID-19 after showing symptoms — a chest cough and low fever — on Friday, but has not yet received test results.
The 29-year-old is in quarantine based on the recommendations of her doctors. No state or local agency has contacted her, Owen said in an email.
“I’m just worried about what this means as the virus continues to spread,” she said. “This is just the beginning. It doesn’t seem we are adequately prepared to handle an influx of testing. And in order to properly contain, we need to be able to test everyone.”
When asked about a potential delay in testing samples, Johnston said in an email: “Samples are being tested and reported within 24 hours as long as all of the required information is provided at the time of submission. Missing information will delay the results.”
In Aspen, local health officials were taking samples from 13 people who are experiencing “fairly mild” symptoms of the new coronavirus. The individuals had contact with a woman who tested positive for the virus after returning to Australia.
The individuals, who are in isolation, are all Australians and visiting the mountain town, said Karen Koenemann, public health director for Pitkin County.
Emergency operations
In Denver, the mayor on Monday ordered a partial opening of the city’s emergency operations center as at least eight residents are in quarantine after having contact with a Denverite who has tested positive.
Later in the day, when the state Department of Public Health and Environment announced new cases, officials initially said a Denver woman in her 30s who has contracted COVID-19 had no known contact with an infected person or recent travel history.
However, the agency issued a correction Monday evening saying the woman has recently traveled within the U.S.
In Larimer County, a woman in her 50s with COVID-19 has been diagnosed with pneumonia. It’s unclear how the woman, who lives in Johnstown, contracted the coronavirus.
In Eagle County, the new case announced Monday involves a resident in her 70s. The woman has no known contact with an infected person but did recently travel within the U.S., according to the news release.
And Monday night, health officials announced a fourth case: a woman in her 30s living in Arapahoe County. The Tri-County Health Department said in a news release Monday night that the woman lives in Centennial and recently traveled to India.
“We are just learning of this positive test from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and will begin our contact investigation to determine if there were any other potential exposures,” John M. Douglas Jr., MD, executive director of Tri-County Health Department, said in the release.
Local officials also released more details about one of the Douglas County patients, saying she visited the Castle Rock Department of Motor Vehicles, at 301 Wilcox St., on March 3. She visited between noon and 3 p.m.
Also Monday, the state Division of Insurance, under orders from Gov. Jared Polis, asked insurers to waive costs, such as copays or deductibles, when patients seeking COVID-19 testing visit an in-network doctor’s office, urgent care center or emergency room.
If an in-network provider cannot do the testing, insurers must cover an out-of-network doctor, according to the news release.
“Our administration is taking swift action to ensure Coloradans can get tested for COVID-19 without financial fear,” Polis said in a statement. “This important step will help ensure cost barriers do not stand in the way of people getting tested.”
The department is also directing insurers to cover one-time early refills of any prescriptions so people have access to them if they decide to limit contact with others, according to the release.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-10--Vail Resorts sees visits, stock drop because of coronavirus worries

Vail Resorts has hit the financial equivalent of an unexpected snow squall , warning investors Monday that it could no longer provide them with guidance on what was ahead because of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus .
The Broomfield operator of ski resorts missed earning expectations for its second fiscal quarter and said it was withdrawing a financial forecast it had provided investors in January and that it would stop providing any kind of guidance until things cleared up .
And breaking with tradition , the company ’ s board is holding off on whether to provide a dividend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the health and safety of our guests and employees , ” Vail Resorts CEO and chairman Rob Katz said in an earnings call Monday afternoon .
“ Our resorts are fully open and operating normally.
” But the motivation and ability of skiers and summer tourists to follow through on their plans is another question .
The company ’ s ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest were already struggling with the worst snow conditions in 30 years , which contributed to a 14 % decline in visits there .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Northeastern and Western resorts through the holidays , leaving executives hopeful about 2020 .
But the Colorado resorts started seeing business soften in January and February , contributing to a 5.2 % decline in skier visits in the company ’ s second fiscal quarter .
And in March , things took a sharp turn for the worse as the virus outbreak spread in the U.S. “ We saw a slowdown in bookings and an increase in cancellations , ” Katz said .
Granted , the ski season is almost over in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago collected money from the holders of its Epic Pass .
Most destination skiers have made their plans well in advance , but Colorado has seen a trend of more vacations planned for later in the season .
Katz said the slowdown was more pronounced in Vail and Breckenridge , while Beaver Creek and Keystone were holding up better .
He noted there were two different dynamics at play , starting with the concerns about travel because of the outbreak , which is hitting all kinds of tourist activity .
Longer-term , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaker economy , including reduced pass sales as consumers tighten their belt and reduced destination visits .
To help boost the value proposition for pass holders , the company next season is rolling out Epic Mountain Rewards , a loyalty program that knocks 20 % off the price of lodging , food , lessons , equipment rental and other items .
The hope is that those discounts will encourage more single-day visitors to spend more at the company ’ s resorts .
Katz recalled that the company rolled out its Epic Pass in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it cope with the aftermath of the financial crisis and recession .
It is hoping the rewards program can do the same , whatever is coming down the mountain .
Shares of Vail Resorts are down 24.1 % for the year , including a 7.4 % drop on Monday .
The earnings report came out after the markets had closed .
In after-hours trading , Vail shares fell from $ 182 to $ 167 , a bigger percentage drop than the drubbing suffered Monday , Bloomberg reported .

Vail Resorts has hit the financial equivalent of an unexpected snow squall, warning investors Monday that it could no longer provide them with guidance on what was ahead because of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
The Broomfield operator of ski resorts missed earning expectations for its second fiscal quarter and said it was withdrawing a financial forecast it had provided investors in January and that it would stop providing any kind of guidance until things cleared up.
And breaking with tradition, the company’s board is holding off on whether to provide a dividend increase until June.
“We remain focused on the health and safety of our guests and employees,” Vail Resorts CEO and chairman Rob Katz said in an earnings call Monday afternoon. “Our resorts are fully open and operating normally.”
But the motivation and ability of skiers and summer tourists to follow through on their plans is another question.
The company’s ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest were already struggling with the worst snow conditions in 30 years, which contributed to a 14% decline in visits there. Still, things were humming along for the company’s Northeastern and Western resorts through the holidays, leaving executives hopeful about 2020.
But the Colorado resorts started seeing business soften in January and February, contributing to a 5.2% decline in skier visits in the company’s second fiscal quarter. And in March, things took a sharp turn for the worse as the virus outbreak spread in the U.S.
“We saw a slowdown in bookings and an increase in cancellations,” Katz said.
Granted, the ski season is almost over in the northern hemisphere and the company long ago collected money from the holders of its Epic Pass. Most destination skiers have made their plans well in advance, but Colorado has seen a trend of more vacations planned for later in the season.
Katz said the slowdown was more pronounced in Vail and Breckenridge, while Beaver Creek and Keystone were holding up better.
He noted there were two different dynamics at play, starting with the concerns about travel because of the outbreak, which is hitting all kinds of tourist activity. Longer-term, there are impacts that could follow from a weaker economy, including reduced pass sales as consumers tighten their belt and reduced destination visits.
To help boost the value proposition for pass holders, the company next season is rolling out Epic Mountain Rewards, a loyalty program that knocks 20% off the price of lodging, food, lessons, equipment rental and other items. The hope is that those discounts will encourage more single-day visitors to spend more at the company’s resorts.
“It is a pretty powerful offer,” Katz told analysts.
Katz recalled that the company rolled out its Epic Pass in 2008, just in time to help it cope with the aftermath of the financial crisis and recession. It is hoping the rewards program can do the same, whatever is coming down the mountain.
Shares of Vail Resorts are down 24.1% for the year, including a 7.4% drop on Monday. The earnings report came out after the markets had closed. In after-hours trading, Vail shares fell from $182 to $167, a bigger percentage drop than the drubbing suffered Monday, Bloomberg reported.