thedenverpost--2020-08-08--Avalanche now No. 2 seed heading into 16-team playoff after overtime loss to Golden Knights

The Avalanche , the team many see as the Western Conference favorite , must settle for second to begin the Stanley Cup playoffs .
With the conference ’ s No .
1 seed up for grabs in their round-robin finale Saturday , the Avs never led but rallied to force overtime before losing 4-3 in sudden-death to the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place in Edmonton .
“ We didn ’ t execute to our best ability , ” Avs star center Nathan MacKinnon said after leading a 35-shot attack .
“ We feel like we have another gear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from them , but we felt like we could have buried more of our chances and put the game away.
” Vegas will be the No .
1 seed and open a best-of-seven series against No .
8 Chicago .
The No .
2 Avs will open against No .
7 Arizona .
The traditional 16-team tournament begins Tuesday and will be finalized Sunday .
Colorado went 1-1 against the Coyotes this season , but the teams haven ’ t played since Nov. 2 .
“ It would have been nice to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re moving on , ” Avs coach Jared Bednar said after Saturday ’ s game .
“ Through the course of training camp ( last month ) and the round-robin especially , I think we ’ ve just played three solid hockey games .
We won two and lost one .
If I could pick one thing it would be consistency .
We weren ’ t as good tonight as we were in the first two games.
” MacKinnon , Joonas Donskoi and J.T .
Compher scored for the Avs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the round-robin .
Vegas went 3-0 ( six points ) .
The Avalanche , trailing 3-2 late in the third period , tied it with Compher ’ s gritty goal from the doorstep at 18:58 and goalie Philipp Grubauer on the bench for an extra attacker .
With just 15.9 seconds remaining in OT , Alex Tuch beat Grubauer with a wrist shot from the left circle .
The Knights outshot the Avs 3-1 in OT .
Jonathan Marchessault scored twice for the Golden Knights , the latter on a penalty shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
He was tripped on a breakaway by defenseman Ryan Graves .
“ Obviously , losing today ( stinks ) but we ’ re the No .
2 seed in the West , ” MacKinnon said .
“ We ’ re feeling good heading into the first round.
” Regarding the Coyotes , who stood five points out of a playoff spot when the NHL paused its season March 12 , MacKinnon said : “ It ’ s a huge challenge .
They ’ re a very good team , well structured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to be a tough series .
We ’ ll do our homework tomorrow and Monday and I don ’ t know when we ’ re going to play , but we ’ ll be well-prepared and ready to go for Game 1.
” Footnotes .
Grubauer played in two of the three round-robin games , but Bednar declined to say that he will be the starter in Game 1 against Arizona .
Pavel Francouz backstopped Wednesday ’ s 4-0 win over Dallas .
… Rookie defenseman Cale Makar led the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … Second-line center Nazem Kadri and first-line right winger Mikko Rantanen led the Avs with four points in the round-robin .
Eight Avs players scored but nobody more than once .
… The Avs and Coyotes ( then the Phoenix Coyotes ) last met in the playoffs in 2000 , with Colorado winning the conference quarterfinal series 4-1 .

The Avalanche, the team many see as the Western Conference favorite, must settle for second to begin the Stanley Cup playoffs.
With the conference’s No. 1 seed up for grabs in their round-robin finale Saturday, the Avs never led but rallied to force overtime before losing 4-3 in sudden-death to the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
“We didn’t execute to our best ability,” Avs star center Nathan MacKinnon said after leading a 35-shot attack. “We feel like we have another gear. (Not) to take away anything from them, but we felt like we could have buried more of our chances and put the game away.”
Vegas will be the No. 1 seed and open a best-of-seven series against No. 8 Chicago. The No. 2 Avs will open against No. 7 Arizona. The traditional 16-team tournament begins Tuesday and will be finalized Sunday.
Colorado went 1-1 against the Coyotes this season, but the teams haven’t played since Nov. 2.
“It would have been nice to win. We didn’t. Now we’re moving on,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said after Saturday’s game. “Through the course of training camp (last month) and the round-robin especially, I think we’ve just played three solid hockey games. We won two and lost one. If I could pick one thing it would be consistency. We weren’t as good tonight as we were in the first two games.”
MacKinnon, Joonas Donskoi and J.T. Compher scored for the Avs, who finished 2-1 (five points) in the round-robin. Vegas went 3-0 (six points).
The Avalanche, trailing 3-2 late in the third period, tied it with Compher’s gritty goal from the doorstep at 18:58 and goalie Philipp Grubauer on the bench for an extra attacker.
With just 15.9 seconds remaining in OT, Alex Tuch beat Grubauer with a wrist shot from the left circle. The Knights outshot the Avs 3-1 in OT.
Jonathan Marchessault scored twice for the Golden Knights, the latter on a penalty shot for a 3-2 lead early the third period. He was tripped on a breakaway by defenseman Ryan Graves.
“Obviously, losing today (stinks) but we’re the No. 2 seed in the West,” MacKinnon said. “We’re feeling good heading into the first round.”
Regarding the Coyotes, who stood five points out of a playoff spot when the NHL paused its season March 12, MacKinnon said: “It’s a huge challenge. They’re a very good team, well structured. Got some good offense. It’s going to be a tough series. We’ll do our homework tomorrow and Monday and I don’t know when we’re going to play, but we’ll be well-prepared and ready to go for Game 1.”
Footnotes. Grubauer played in two of the three round-robin games, but Bednar declined to say that he will be the starter in Game 1 against Arizona. Pavel Francouz backstopped Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Dallas. … Rookie defenseman Cale Makar led the Avs in ice time at 24:08. … Second-line center Nazem Kadri and first-line right winger Mikko Rantanen led the Avs with four points in the round-robin. Eight Avs players scored but nobody more than once. … The Avs and Coyotes (then the Phoenix Coyotes) last met in the playoffs in 2000, with Colorado winning the conference quarterfinal series 4-1.


thedenverpost--2020-08-08--30 people displaced after multifamily complex in Aurora catches fire

Thirty people were displaced at a multifamily complex in Aurora on Saturday morning because of a fire .
Aurora Fire @ @ @ @ @ to a structure fire near Sable Boulevard and Dearborn Way , the agency tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ were affected , and the Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents , fire officials @ @ @ @ @ the fire is under investigation .

Thirty people were displaced at a multifamily complex in Aurora on Saturday morning because of a fire.
Aurora Fire Rescue responded about 8 a.m. to a structure fire near Sable Boulevard and Dearborn Way, the agency tweeted.
Seven units in the complex were affected, and the Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents, fire officials said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.


thedenverpost--2020-08-08--Bikers descend on Sturgis rally with few signs of pandemic

STURGIS , S.D .
— The coronavirus may be changing the world , but there aren ’ t many signs of the pandemic at the massive annual motorcycle rally being held this week at a small city along Interstate 90 in western South Dakota .
The scene Saturday at the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was familiar to veterans of the event , with throngs of maskless bikers packing the streets .
Motorcyclist Kevin Lunsmann , 63 , rode more than 600 miles ( 965 kilometers ) to the rally from Big Lake , Minnesota , with several friends .
Lunsmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year since 2003 and didn ’ t want to miss the 80th , despite being “ somewhat ” concerned about the coronavirus .
Still , the crowds of people and rows of bikes surprised him .
He said there was no difference from previous years “ other than a few people wearing masks.
” Lunsmann said he was avoiding the bars and nightclubs that line the city ’ s main drag this year , but many others were not .
They were filled with revelers as the sun set Friday .
Organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps half the size of a normal year , when some half-million people from across the country roar into a town whose population is around 7,000 .
The sheer numbers raise the prospect that this year ’ s rally could spread the COVID-19 virus in a state with no special limits on indoor crowds , no mask mandates , and a governor who is eager to welcome visitors and their money .
“ Screw COVID , ” read the design on one T-shirt being hawked at the event .
“ I went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was one of the few people wearing masks as he walked along Main Street .
“ We don ’ t want the virus .
We want to come up here a few more years yet , ” Graham said .
Graham made his 36th annual trip to Sturgis from Central City , Nebraska , with his wife , calling it “ kind of like our therapy for the year.
” For Stephen Sample , who rode his Harley from Arizona , the event was a break from the routine of the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been mostly homebound or wearing a mask when he went to work as a surveyor .
“ I don ’ t want to die , but I don ’ t want to be cooped up all my life either , ” he said .
Sample was aware his trip to the rally could end in the hospital , which seemed to weigh on him .
“ This is a major experiment , ” he said .
“ It could be a major mistake.
” Republican Gov .
Kristi Noem has taken a largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask mandate and preaching personal responsibility .
She supported holding the rally .
Daily virus cases have been trending upward in South Dakota , but the seven-day average is still only around 84 , with fewer than two deaths per day .
Sturgis officials plan to mass test residents to try to detect and halt outbreaks , but the area ’ s largest hospital system is already burdened with the influx of tourists and bikers who inevitably need medical care during this time .
Marsha Schmid , who owns the Side Hack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep her bar and restaurant from becoming a virus hot spot by spacing out indoor tables and offering plenty of hand sanitizer .
She also scaled back the number of bands hired for the rally , hoping the crowds would stay thin but still spend the cash that keeps her business viable for the rest of the year .
“ You ’ ve got people coming from all over the world , ” she said .
“ I just hope they are being responsible and if they don ’ t feel good , @ @ @ @ @

STURGIS, S.D. — The coronavirus may be changing the world, but there aren’t many signs of the pandemic at the massive annual motorcycle rally being held this week at a small city along Interstate 90 in western South Dakota.
The scene Saturday at the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was familiar to veterans of the event, with throngs of maskless bikers packing the streets.
Motorcyclist Kevin Lunsmann, 63, rode more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) to the rally from Big Lake, Minnesota, with several friends. Lunsmann said he has attended the Sturgis event every year since 2003 and didn’t want to miss the 80th, despite being “somewhat” concerned about the coronavirus.
Still, the crowds of people and rows of bikes surprised him. He said there was no difference from previous years “other than a few people wearing masks.”
Lunsmann said he was avoiding the bars and nightclubs that line the city’s main drag this year, but many others were not. They were filled with revelers as the sun set Friday.
“Everybody’s still partying hardy,” Lunsmann said.
Organizers expected the overall crowd to be smaller, perhaps half the size of a normal year, when some half-million people from across the country roar into a town whose population is around 7,000.
The sheer numbers raise the prospect that this year’s rally could spread the COVID-19 virus in a state with no special limits on indoor crowds, no mask mandates, and a governor who is eager to welcome visitors and their money.
“Screw COVID,” read the design on one T-shirt being hawked at the event. “I went to Sturgis.”
Bob Graham, 71, was one of the few people wearing masks as he walked along Main Street. “We don’t want the virus. We want to come up here a few more years yet,” Graham said.
Graham made his 36th annual trip to Sturgis from Central City, Nebraska, with his wife, calling it “kind of like our therapy for the year.”
For Stephen Sample, who rode his Harley from Arizona, the event was a break from the routine of the last several months, when he’s been mostly homebound or wearing a mask when he went to work as a surveyor.
“I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be cooped up all my life either,” he said.
Sample was aware his trip to the rally could end in the hospital, which seemed to weigh on him.
“This is a major experiment,” he said. “It could be a major mistake.”
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has taken a largely hands-off approach to the pandemic, avoiding a mask mandate and preaching personal responsibility. She supported holding the rally.
Daily virus cases have been trending upward in South Dakota, but the seven-day average is still only around 84, with fewer than two deaths per day.
Sturgis officials plan to mass test residents to try to detect and halt outbreaks, but the area’s largest hospital system is already burdened with the influx of tourists and bikers who inevitably need medical care during this time.
Marsha Schmid, who owns the Side Hack Saloon in Sturgis, was trying to keep her bar and restaurant from becoming a virus hot spot by spacing out indoor tables and offering plenty of hand sanitizer.
She also scaled back the number of bands hired for the rally, hoping the crowds would stay thin but still spend the cash that keeps her business viable for the rest of the year.
“You’ve got people coming from all over the world,” she said. “I just hope they are being responsible and if they don’t feel good, they stay away.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-08--President Trump orders more unemployment pay, a payroll tax deferral

BEDMINSTER , N.J. — Seizing the power of his podium and his pen , President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation ’ s elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed .
At his private country club in Bedminster , New Jersey , Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn ’ t , contending Washington ’ s gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country ’ s economy and imperiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucially , Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak .
Congress allowed those payments to lapse on Aug. 1 , and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock , with the White House and Democrats miles apart .
Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration ’ s negotiations with congressional leaders , leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
Trump ’ s embrace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama ’ s use of executive orders on a more limited basis .
And the president ’ s step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills .
Now , Trump , who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year , sought to play the role of election-year savior , with the $ 400 weekly assistance , as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s $ 400 a week , and we ’ re doing it without the Democrats , ” Trump said , asking states to cover 25 % of the cost .
It was not immediately clear where the federal portion would come from — though the president suggested he was looking to use unspent funds from previous coronavirus relief bills — and Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much , if any of it to fund .
The president said at his club on Friday night that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.
” Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $ 3.4 trillion to $ 2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer .
Republicans have proposed a $ 1 trillion plan .
White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension , fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down .
Friday ’ s jobs report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller than the past two months , in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings .
The president ’ s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection .
Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis .
But it also would reinforce the view that the president , who took office declaring he was a dealmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an agreement .
Trump said Saturday the orders “ will take care of pretty much this entire situation , as we know it.
” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation , and even aides acknowledged they didn ’ t meet the needs of all that was required .
“ This is not a perfect answer — we ’ ll be the first ones to say that , ” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down .
“ But it is all that we can do and all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his executive power , and we ’ re going to encourage him to do it.
” Trump said the employer portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year , though the move would not directly aid unemployed workers , who do not pay the tax when they are jobless , and faces bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill .
“ If I win , I may extend and terminate , ” Trump said , repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits that the 7 % tax on employee income covers .
Employers also pay 7.65 % of their payrolls into the funds .
Both the House and Senate have left Washington , with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement .
With no deal in sight , their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September .
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but not so this time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus .
Friday ’ s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “ a disappointing meeting , ” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York .
He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi , D-Calif. , to curb Democratic demands by about $ 1 trillion .
Schumer urged the White House to “ negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle .
Don ’ t say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill .
Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground .
The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools , which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening .
But other priorities are also languishing , including a fresh round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November .
Mnuchin said renewal of a $ 600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck .
Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $ 1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably , but some of Pelosi ’ s proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps .
Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths , double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed .
Senate Republicans have been split , with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all .
Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $ 3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling , but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost .
McConnell has kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mnuchin and Meadows .
Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report .

BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Seizing the power of his podium and his pen, President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation’s elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.
At his private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn’t, contending Washington’s gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country’s economy and imperiled his November reelection hopes.
Perhaps most crucially, Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. Congress allowed those payments to lapse on Aug. 1, and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock, with the White House and Democrats miles apart. Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration’s negotiations with congressional leaders, leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
Trump’s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama’s use of executive orders on a more limited basis. And the president’s step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills.
Now, Trump, who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year, sought to play the role of election-year savior, with the $400 weekly assistance, as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis.
“It’s $400 a week, and we’re doing it without the Democrats,” Trump said, asking states to cover 25% of the cost. It was not immediately clear where the federal portion would come from — though the president suggested he was looking to use unspent funds from previous coronavirus relief bills — and Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much, if any of it to fund.
The president said at his club on Friday night that “if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”
Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $3.4 trillion to $2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer. Republicans have proposed a $1 trillion plan.
White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension, fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down. Friday’s jobs report, though it beat expectations, was smaller than the past two months, in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings.
The president’s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection. Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis. But it also would reinforce the view that the president, who took office declaring he was a dealmaker, was unable to steer the process to an agreement.
Trump said Saturday the orders “will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation, and even aides acknowledged they didn’t meet the needs of all that was required.
“This is not a perfect answer — we’ll be the first ones to say that,” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down. “But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power, and we’re going to encourage him to do it.”
Trump said the employer portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year, though the move would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless, and faces bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.
“If I win, I may extend and terminate,” Trump said, repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he’d fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Employers also pay 7.65% of their payrolls into the funds.
Both the House and Senate have left Washington, with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement. With no deal in sight, their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September.
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but not so this time. It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.
Friday’s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “a disappointing meeting,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi, D-Calif., to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Schumer urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”
That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.
Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground.
The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools, which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening. But other priorities are also languishing, including a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November.
Mnuchin said renewal of a $600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.
Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi’s proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the timeframe for benefits like food stamps.
Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed.
Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.
McConnell has kept his distance from the negotiations while coordinating with Mnuchin and Meadows.
___
Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Rockies believe hard-throwing right-hander Jairo Diaz has grit to be Colorado’s closer

Coors Field can wilt the confidence of even an accomplished closer .
Witness what has happened to Wade Davis , with his 12.24 ERA at Coors since the start of last year , leading to his startling inability to seal wins in LoDo .
Enter Jairo Diaz , the hard-throwing right-hander who has been thrust into the closer role .
The Rockies are counting on the 29-year-old to bring stability to the bullpen ’ s back end amid Colorado ’ s strong start .
“ To have that burden on your shoulders , and the responsibility of the last inning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental toughness to rebound if things don ’ t go your way , ” manager Bud Black said .
“ You have to be able put bad games aside quickly and be ready the next night .
For a lot of players , that ’ s awful hard .
For Jairo , my sense is he ’ s going to be able to handle that.
” After all , he ’ s come back from Tommy Johnson surgery and the tragic death of his wife from cancer .
Davis , following a four-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was put on the injured list with a shoulder strain Aug. 2 .
That move came the same day right-hander Scott Oberg , who would ’ ve been the team ’ s closer following a strong 2019 season , likely saw his season ended by blood clots for the second straight summer .
That led to the job falling to Diaz , who had five saves in eight chances down the stretch in 2019 following seasoning as a closer with Triple-A Albuquerque .
Entering the weekend , the right-hander had converted all three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.35 ERA in seven appearances , which included the Venezuelan working out of some high-wire jams in Texas , Oakland and Denver .
“ I ’ m taking in this new role , and I ’ m going to be ready for whatever situation comes up and whenever the team needs me , ” Diaz said .
“ I don ’ t want traffic , but thank God , when there ’ s been guys on base , so far I ’ ve been able to dig down and get out of it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone unnoticed by teammates , especially as the Rockies are hoping their relatively inexperienced bullpen can stand the test of an abbreviated 60-game season after the unit was one of the team ’ s Achilles ’ heels last year with a 5.18 ERA .
“ He has that calm , cool demeanor where he doesn ’ t get rattled , ” outfielder Charlie Blackmon said .
“ As you saw Monday night ( against San Francisco ) , when things don ’ t go his way and it got a bit dicey for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seem fazed by it .
He continued to pitch , and that ’ s how he ’ s getting out of jams.
” Diaz relies on his slider , which he has thrown 60 % percent of the time , while mixing in his sinker ( 24 % ) and fastball ( 16 % ) .
Once able to throw 103 mph as a young prospect with the Angels , Diaz ’ s fastball now averages around 95 , but he ’ s found traction as a major leaguer due to increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ( the success ) comes from locating that fastball , the four-seam fastball and the two-seam that has great run and sink , ” Black said .
“ He ’ s got a great slider and he ’ s got to be able to command it down below the ( strike ) zone , and have the ability to backdoor it when he wants.
” The release of veteran relief pitchers Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw before the season began opened the door for increased opportunities for Diaz , even before Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IL .
From that moment forward , Diaz knew he was in for a bigger role this season , and he ’ s embraced the opportunity .
“ Obviously I wasn ’ t hoping for that ( for my teammates ) , but when that happened , I knew there were going to be ( expectations ) that I needed to fulfill , ” Diaz said .
“ I knew that I was ready for it.
” One of the team ’ s starters , Kyle Freeland , is “ looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up.
” “ What he showed last year , and the steps he showed he could take to get back to the big leagues , is great , ” Freeland said .
“ He ’ s already showed he can be a quality back-end bullpen guy who is capable of stepping into a big role when we need him.
” And while Diaz balances an intense demeanor on the mound with a carefree , jovial attitude off it — a perspective on life that the loss of a spouse has underscored for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get their chance to take the ball in the ninth as the team is “ still working through giving that role to Jairo.
” Since returning to the game after losing his wife in October 2017 , before which he temporarily paused his career to be by her side , Diaz persevered through being released , and re-signed , by Colorado in 2018 .
Colorado ’ s other ninth-inning pitchers include Yency Almonte , a starter-turned-reliever who notched his first career save on Tuesday , as well as fellow right-handers Carlos Estevez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( After McGee and Shaw were released ) , we knew it was about making sure we ’ re making the most of every opportunity we get , ” Almonte said .
“ I think we ’ ve all done that thus far .
”

Coors Field can wilt the confidence of even an accomplished closer. Witness what has happened to Wade Davis, with his 12.24 ERA at Coors since the start of last year, leading to his startling inability to seal wins in LoDo.
Enter Jairo Diaz, the hard-throwing right-hander who has been thrust into the closer role. The Rockies are counting on the 29-year-old to bring stability to the bullpen’s back end amid Colorado’s strong start.
“To have that burden on your shoulders, and the responsibility of the last inning, you also have to have the mental toughness to rebound if things don’t go your way,” manager Bud Black said. “You have to be able put bad games aside quickly and be ready the next night. For a lot of players, that’s awful hard. For Jairo, my sense is he’s going to be able to handle that.”
After all, he’s come back from Tommy Johnson surgery and the tragic death of his wife from cancer.
Davis, following a four-run blown save in the home opener, was put on the injured list with a shoulder strain Aug. 2. That move came the same day right-hander Scott Oberg, who would’ve been the team’s closer following a strong 2019 season, likely saw his season ended by blood clots for the second straight summer.
That led to the job falling to Diaz, who had five saves in eight chances down the stretch in 2019 following seasoning as a closer with Triple-A Albuquerque. Entering the weekend, the right-hander had converted all three of his save opportunities and had a 1.35 ERA in seven appearances, which included the Venezuelan working out of some high-wire jams in Texas, Oakland and Denver.
“I’m taking in this new role, and I’m going to be ready for whatever situation comes up and whenever the team needs me,” Diaz said. “I don’t want traffic, but thank God, when there’s been guys on base, so far I’ve been able to dig down and get out of it.”
Diaz’s grit has not gone unnoticed by teammates, especially as the Rockies are hoping their relatively inexperienced bullpen can stand the test of an abbreviated 60-game season after the unit was one of the team’s Achilles’ heels last year with a 5.18 ERA.
“He has that calm, cool demeanor where he doesn’t get rattled,” outfielder Charlie Blackmon said. “As you saw Monday night (against San Francisco), when things don’t go his way and it got a bit dicey for a moment there, he didn’t seem fazed by it. He continued to pitch, and that’s how he’s getting out of jams.”
Diaz relies on his slider, which he has thrown 60% percent of the time, while mixing in his sinker (24%) and fastball (16%). Once able to throw 103 mph as a young prospect with the Angels, Diaz’s fastball now averages around 95, but he’s found traction as a major leaguer due to increased command.
“For him, fundamentally, (the success) comes from locating that fastball, the four-seam fastball and the two-seam that has great run and sink,” Black said. “He’s got a great slider and he’s got to be able to command it down below the (strike) zone, and have the ability to backdoor it when he wants.”
The release of veteran relief pitchers Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw before the season began opened the door for increased opportunities for Diaz, even before Davis and Oberg’s trips to the IL. From that moment forward, Diaz knew he was in for a bigger role this season, and he’s embraced the opportunity.
“Obviously I wasn’t hoping for that (for my teammates), but when that happened, I knew there were going to be (expectations) that I needed to fulfill,” Diaz said. “I knew that I was ready for it.”
One of the team’s starters, Kyle Freeland, is “looking forward to continue to watch (Diaz) step up.”
“What he showed last year, and the steps he showed he could take to get back to the big leagues, is great,” Freeland said. “He’s already showed he can be a quality back-end bullpen guy who is capable of stepping into a big role when we need him.”
And while Diaz balances an intense demeanor on the mound with a carefree, jovial attitude off it — a perspective on life that the loss of a spouse has underscored for him — Black said other Rockies relievers will get their chance to take the ball in the ninth as the team is “still working through giving that role to Jairo.”
Since returning to the game after losing his wife in October 2017, before which he temporarily paused his career to be by her side, Diaz persevered through being released, and re-signed, by Colorado in 2018.
Colorado’s other ninth-inning pitchers include Yency Almonte, a starter-turned-reliever who notched his first career save on Tuesday, as well as fellow right-handers Carlos Estevez, Tyler Kinley and Daniel Bard.
“(After McGee and Shaw were released), we knew it was about making sure we’re making the most of every opportunity we get,” Almonte said. “I think we’ve all done that thus far.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Why have models of Colorado’s coronavirus trajectory been off?

The researchers trying to model how many Americans might be hospitalized or killed by COVID-19 have been criticized from multiple sides , with allegations they needlessly scared people or gave leaders false reassurances it was OK to reopen businesses .
In Colorado , recent projections that the state could run out of hospital beds as early as September appear unlikely to come true , as new coronavirus infections slowed down after a rapid increase in mid-July .
Other projections far underestimated the outbreak ’ s toll , predicting about 300 would die of the virus by early August .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed by the virus , and another 121 people had died with it in their systems .
Experts point to at least three factors to explain why projections haven ’ t hit the mark : the inherent limitations of models , holes in our knowledge of the new virus and people changing their behavior faster than anticipated .
Jimi Adams , an associate professor of health and behavioral sciences at the University of Colorado Denver , said there ’ s often a misunderstanding of what models do .
Some , like new two-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what will happen .
Others try to lay out what could happen under different possible scenarios , including if no policies change , which isn ’ t likely during a pandemic , he said .
Think of the difference like Ebenezer Scrooge ’ s question to the Ghost of Christmas Future : “ Are these the shadows of the things that will be , or are they shadows of the things that may be only ?
” Basically , Scrooge is asking if he has any power to avoid a future where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the ghost doesn ’ t answer , Scrooge changes his behavior to try to avert the worst-care scenario , and the future that comes is less bleak .
We saw something like that happen as states and cities required people to stay home or wear masks , and as people reacted to a resurgence in cases by avoiding high-risk settings , said Beth Carlton , an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health .
It ’ s unusual for people to change their behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to COVID-19 , she said .
That ’ s good for public health , but makes it more difficult to project what might happen .
“ People do have the power to change the direction of these forecasts , ” she said .
“ Some of the power is individual , and some is policy.
” Cellphone location data used to estimate social distancing and survey responses about mask wearing show people get strict about distancing when media report cases are going up and relax when the picture starts to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially expected , said Ali Mokdad , a professor at the University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation .
While it ’ s good that people are taking precautions when they feel at-risk , relaxing as cases fall just sets up the next spike , he said .
“ Unfortunately , we ’ re going to see these up-and-down swings unless people adapt to the virus , ” he said .
The IHME ’ s latest model was close on deaths in Colorado by early August , projecting 1,869 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of people who died after contracting the virus .
Looking forward , it estimates between 2,149 and 5,006 people could die by Dec. 1 if almost all Coloradans wear masks in public , and the toll could range from 2,744 to 18,244 if they don ’ t .
Initially , models had to rely on data from China and Europe , which didn ’ t always apply to the American situation , Mokdad said .
The picture was also limited in the early months of the virus ’ spread in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant no one really knew how far the virus had spread , he said .
“ Our model evolved as we have more data , ” he said .
Katie Colborn , research director for surgical outcomes and applied research on CU ’ s Anschutz Medical Campus , had previously worked on forecasting malaria outbreaks in countries where the disease is common .
With malaria , there ’ s about a decade ’ s worth of high-quality data about weather and cases , so it ’ s possible to predict that an unusually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , at least in the short term , she said .
For COVID-19 , the early warning signs aren ’ t nearly as clear .
Researchers are still trying to work out how the disease transmits , including how long it could stay in the air after an infected person speaks , Colborn said .
Other questions , like why it spreads widely in nursing homes , but apparently not in child care centers , also need answers , she said .
The PolicyLab at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In May , they had predicted there was little chance of a renewed outbreak in Colorado Springs this summer , but that Denver could be in danger .
Both cities have seen an uptick in coronavirus infections , but the growth is steeper in El Paso County , where residents seems to be practicing less social distancing .
In more recent projections , they ’ ve shifted to focus on the next one to four weeks , said Brian Fisher , an associate professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the more likely you are to be off , because behavior or policies may have changed , he said .
They also have learned that the effects of temperature and humidity are more complicated than originally believed , Fisher said .
This spring , they had thought hot days would work against the virus , but that hasn ’ t happened , perhaps because people started congregating in air-conditioned spaces , he said .
The PolicyLab model uses cellphone data about visits to non-essential businesses , like stores and restaurants , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That doesn ’ t account for other precautions people might have taken , like wearing masks or getting takeout instead of sitting in a restaurant , so it ’ s possible some counties won ’ t see the expected rebound in cases as people go out more , he said .
“ It may be that they ’ ve reduced social distancing , but they ’ re doing it in an intelligent way , ” he said .
Models will differ based on the quality of their data , as well as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human behavior , said Aditya Khanna , director of network modeling at the University of Chicago .
While specific numbers may not reflect what actually happens , most have been accurate in predicting that if people began living like they did before the pandemic , there would be a spike , he said .
“ There are some things that are very clear , ” he said .
“ In the broad picture , there ’ s a lot that we have learned already.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news @ @ @ @ @ @

The researchers trying to model how many Americans might be hospitalized or killed by COVID-19 have been criticized from multiple sides, with allegations they needlessly scared people or gave leaders false reassurances it was OK to reopen businesses.
In Colorado, recent projections that the state could run out of hospital beds as early as September appear unlikely to come true, as new coronavirus infections slowed down after a rapid increase in mid-July.
Other projections far underestimated the outbreak’s toll, predicting about 300 would die of the virus by early August. As of Friday, 1,736 Coloradans had been killed by the virus, and another 121 people had died with it in their systems.
Experts point to at least three factors to explain why projections haven’t hit the mark: the inherent limitations of models, holes in our knowledge of the new virus and people changing their behavior faster than anticipated.
Jimi Adams, an associate professor of health and behavioral sciences at the University of Colorado Denver, said there’s often a misunderstanding of what models do. Some, like new two-week predictions from Google, try to forecast what will happen. Others try to lay out what could happen under different possible scenarios, including if no policies change, which isn’t likely during a pandemic, he said.
Think of the difference like Ebenezer Scrooge’s question to the Ghost of Christmas Future: “Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of the things that may be only?” Basically, Scrooge is asking if he has any power to avoid a future where he dies alone and Tiny Tim dies young. While the ghost doesn’t answer, Scrooge changes his behavior to try to avert the worst-care scenario, and the future that comes is less bleak.
We saw something like that happen as states and cities required people to stay home or wear masks, and as people reacted to a resurgence in cases by avoiding high-risk settings, said Beth Carlton, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health.
It’s unusual for people to change their behavior as quickly and dramatically as they have in response to COVID-19, she said. That’s good for public health, but makes it more difficult to project what might happen.
“People do have the power to change the direction of these forecasts,” she said. “Some of the power is individual, and some is policy.”
Up-and-down swings
Cellphone location data used to estimate social distancing and survey responses about mask wearing show people get strict about distancing when media report cases are going up and relax when the picture starts to improve, which wasn’t what scientists initially expected, said Ali Mokdad, a professor at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. While it’s good that people are taking precautions when they feel at-risk, relaxing as cases fall just sets up the next spike, he said.
“Unfortunately, we’re going to see these up-and-down swings unless people adapt to the virus,” he said.
The IHME’s latest model was close on deaths in Colorado by early August, projecting 1,869 fatalities by Wednesday — 18 more than the total number of people who died after contracting the virus. Looking forward, it estimates between 2,149 and 5,006 people could die by Dec. 1 if almost all Coloradans wear masks in public, and the toll could range from 2,744 to 18,244 if they don’t.
Initially, models had to rely on data from China and Europe, which didn’t always apply to the American situation, Mokdad said. The picture was also limited in the early months of the virus’ spread in the U.S. because a lack of testing meant no one really knew how far the virus had spread, he said.
“Our model evolved as we have more data,” he said.
Katie Colborn, research director for surgical outcomes and applied research on CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus, had previously worked on forecasting malaria outbreaks in countries where the disease is common. With malaria, there’s about a decade’s worth of high-quality data about weather and cases, so it’s possible to predict that an unusually rainy season will likely result in more cases, at least in the short term, she said. For COVID-19, the early warning signs aren’t nearly as clear.
Researchers are still trying to work out how the disease transmits, including how long it could stay in the air after an infected person speaks, Colborn said. Other questions, like why it spreads widely in nursing homes, but apparently not in child care centers, also need answers, she said.
Refining approaches
The PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also is refining its approach as knowledge evolves. In May, they had predicted there was little chance of a renewed outbreak in Colorado Springs this summer, but that Denver could be in danger. Both cities have seen an uptick in coronavirus infections, but the growth is steeper in El Paso County, where residents seems to be practicing less social distancing.
In more recent projections, they’ve shifted to focus on the next one to four weeks, said Brian Fisher, an associate professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania. The farther out you look, the more likely you are to be off, because behavior or policies may have changed, he said.
They also have learned that the effects of temperature and humidity are more complicated than originally believed, Fisher said. This spring, they had thought hot days would work against the virus, but that hasn’t happened, perhaps because people started congregating in air-conditioned spaces, he said.
The PolicyLab model uses cellphone data about visits to non-essential businesses, like stores and restaurants, to estimate social distancing, Fisher said. That doesn’t account for other precautions people might have taken, like wearing masks or getting takeout instead of sitting in a restaurant, so it’s possible some counties won’t see the expected rebound in cases as people go out more, he said.
“It may be that they’ve reduced social distancing, but they’re doing it in an intelligent way,” he said.
Models will differ based on the quality of their data, as well as their makers’ mathematical choices and assumptions about human behavior, said Aditya Khanna, director of network modeling at the University of Chicago. While specific numbers may not reflect what actually happens, most have been accurate in predicting that if people began living like they did before the pandemic, there would be a spike, he said.
“There are some things that are very clear,” he said. “In the broad picture, there’s a lot that we have learned already.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Elijah McClain’s father on Nuggets’ T-shirt tribute: “He would’ve been thrilled”

Lawayne Mosley , Elijah McClain ’ s father , has watched the Denver Nuggets for decades .
Going back to the days of Hall of Famers Alex English and Dan Issel roaming the court , Mosley ’ s been a fan .
When he learned that Nuggets head coach Michael Malone wanted to recognize his son , who died last August after a violent arrest by Aurora police , by way of “ Justice for Elijah McClain ” T-shirts for him and his players , he was floored .
“ It really means a lot that they would take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my son , ” Mosley told The Post .
“ He would ’ ve been thrilled .
He would ’ ve been … Oh my goodness.
” The idea came to Malone while sitting in his Orlando hotel room amid the NBA ’ s re-start .
As teams and players grappled with the uncomfortable question of whether playing basketball during a time of racial and social unrest was prudent , Malone and the Nuggets made an effort to spark conversations that address racial inequities .
The shirts , just one of the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighting discrimination within Colorado .
“ Because this is Aurora , this is our backyard , these are the people that we represent on the court every night , I just felt really strongly about trying to do something where we could honor Elijah McClain , his memory , his name , his family , ” Malone told The Post .
“ If the police cameras were not conveniently all knocked off the night of Aug. 24 , when he was arrested , 2019 , maybe it would ’ ve been a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s was , because everybody would ’ ve seen it .
But that didn ’ t happen .
It ’ s truly a tragic event.
” Malone reached out to Mari Newman , the McClain family lawyer , to see if the family was comfortable with the team ’ s gesture .
“ Coach Malone and I had a long conversation , and then I talked to both of Elijah ’ s parents ( Mosley and Sheneen McClain ) about what we had discussed and they were both very touched by Coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Both his concern for Elijah and also his concern to make sure that the way that he moved forward was respectful to the family ’ s wishes as well.
” With their blessing , the shirts were ordered .
Malone and players such as Torrey Craig , Troy Daniels and P.J .
Dozier have all worn them prior to games .
In another example of the team ’ s social conscience , forward Jerami Grant has dedicated both of his news conferences in Orlando to the memory of Breonna Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville police in March .
“ I ’ m mentioning Breonna Taylor , but I ’ m also speaking for all the other African Americans throughout America , or throughout the world that are Africans , that went through a lot of social injustices period , ” Grant said .
Having Malone ’ s backing “ shows the type of person he is , ” Grant added .
Mosley remains a huge sports fan .
He said Elijah , who died at 23 , preferred football over basketball but enjoyed all sports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mosley said .
“ So he really liked all athletic sports .
He would ’ ve loved it .
Oh , he would ’ ve loved it .
He would ’ ve enjoyed this very much , just for them to take the time out to honor him .
He ’ s probably up there smiling now , you know what I mean ?
” Mosley is both humbled and grateful that the Nuggets would honor his son .
“ It ’ s just a blessing , and I truly would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it meant a lot to me , ’ ” he said .
“ That platform is huge .
So it gets out there to nation-wide and also world-wide.
” On Friday afternoon , Mosley connected with Malone and thanked the coach personally .
And yet it was anything but a one-way conversation .
“ My thing to him was , ‘ I ’ ve read and heard so many great things about Elijah , ' ” Malone said .
“ ‘ Can you tell me a little bit more about him ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the kind of kid he was , such a peaceful person , who loved everyone.
” Malone followed up : What would Elijah ’ s message be ?
“ He said , ‘ Elijah was all about love and peace , so protest peacefully , ' ” Malone said .
“ ‘ We have to find a way to bring about change and do it peacefully . '
” Malone was so moved by his conversation with Mosley that the two discussed the possibility of him addressing the team in the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was as a person .
Newman , herself , isn ’ t a sports fan , but she said Malone ’ s gesture and the NBA ’ s movement have caused her to re-evaluate her position .
“ Sports play a huge role in American society , and people like Coach Malone have a platform to lend voice to issues that are incredibly important to people who might not otherwise hear them , ” she said .
Mosley can ’ t help it .
On one hand , he ’ s heartened by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s case has garnered .
But the spotlight also means re-living his worst nightmare .
“ It hurts to see it every day , but I ’ ve been living with it since my son passed , ” he said .
“ It has to get out there and it has to be done , and it should ’ ve been done a long time ago .
I am happy .
I am happy that it ’ s finally getting the recognition that it ’ s supposed to get and he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he deserves because he didn ’ t deserve any of this.
” The pressure and attention are working .
On July 29 , the Colorado public health department reopened its investigation into the use of ketamine on McClain after “ numerous complaints , ” according to the department ’ s spokesperson .
The U.S. Department of Justice also announced it would look into whether police violated McClain ’ s civil rights , while state attorney general Phil Weiser is now reviewing the case as a special prosecutor after a district attorney declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and Malone spoke and the topic was raised , Mosley said he would relish the opportunity to thank the Nuggets for bringing more attention to his son ’ s case .
“ If it ever got set up , I ’ d love to speak to all of them , ” he said .
“ I am a fan , I wouldn ’ t mind having a jersey signed by you guys .
Like I said , it ’ s truly an honor.
” Numerous times he reiterated how much gratitude he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy and investment into his son ’ s case .
“ Just thank you from the bottom of my heart , and I am a true fan , ” he said .
And now that basketball is back ?
“ I ’ ll be watching , for sure , ” he said .

Lawayne Mosley, Elijah McClain’s father, has watched the Denver Nuggets for decades.
Going back to the days of Hall of Famers Alex English and Dan Issel roaming the court, Mosley’s been a fan.
When he learned that Nuggets head coach Michael Malone wanted to recognize his son, who died last August after a violent arrest by Aurora police, by way of “Justice for Elijah McClain” T-shirts for him and his players, he was floored.
“It really means a lot that they would take the time out of their day to honor my son,” Mosley told The Post. “He would’ve been thrilled. He would’ve been … Oh my goodness.”
The idea came to Malone while sitting in his Orlando hotel room amid the NBA’s re-start. As teams and players grappled with the uncomfortable question of whether playing basketball during a time of racial and social unrest was prudent, Malone and the Nuggets made an effort to spark conversations that address racial inequities. The shirts, just one of the team’s many examples, were about highlighting discrimination within Colorado.
“Because this is Aurora, this is our backyard, these are the people that we represent on the court every night, I just felt really strongly about trying to do something where we could honor Elijah McClain, his memory, his name, his family,” Malone told The Post. “If the police cameras were not conveniently all knocked off the night of Aug. 24, when he was arrested, 2019, maybe it would’ve been a little bit more sensationalized, like George Floyd’s was, because everybody would’ve seen it. But that didn’t happen. It’s truly a tragic event.”
Malone reached out to Mari Newman, the McClain family lawyer, to see if the family was comfortable with the team’s gesture.
“Coach Malone and I had a long conversation, and then I talked to both of Elijah’s parents (Mosley and Sheneen McClain) about what we had discussed and they were both very touched by Coach Malone’s concern,” Newman said. “Both his concern for Elijah and also his concern to make sure that the way that he moved forward was respectful to the family’s wishes as well.”
With their blessing, the shirts were ordered.
Malone and players such as Torrey Craig, Troy Daniels and P.J. Dozier have all worn them prior to games. In another example of the team’s social conscience, forward Jerami Grant has dedicated both of his news conferences in Orlando to the memory of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by Louisville police in March.
“I’m mentioning Breonna Taylor, but I’m also speaking for all the other African Americans throughout America, or throughout the world that are Africans, that went through a lot of social injustices period,” Grant said.
Having Malone’s backing “shows the type of person he is,” Grant added.
Mosley remains a huge sports fan. He said Elijah, who died at 23, preferred football over basketball but enjoyed all sports.
“He was an athletic person,” Mosley said. “So he really liked all athletic sports. He would’ve loved it. Oh, he would’ve loved it. He would’ve enjoyed this very much, just for them to take the time out to honor him. He’s probably up there smiling now, you know what I mean?”
Mosley is both humbled and grateful that the Nuggets would honor his son.
“It’s just a blessing, and I truly would like to say, ‘Thank you guys, it meant a lot to me,’” he said. “That platform is huge. So it gets out there to nation-wide and also world-wide.”
On Friday afternoon, Mosley connected with Malone and thanked the coach personally. And yet it was anything but a one-way conversation.
“My thing to him was, ‘I’ve read and heard so many great things about Elijah,'” Malone said. “‘Can you tell me a little bit more about him?’ And he just talked about Elijah and the kind of kid he was, such a peaceful person, who loved everyone.”
Malone followed up: What would Elijah’s message be?
“He said, ‘Elijah was all about love and peace, so protest peacefully,'” Malone said. “‘We have to find a way to bring about change and do it peacefully.'”
Malone was so moved by his conversation with Mosley that the two discussed the possibility of him addressing the team in the future, to share more about who Elijah was as a person.
Newman, herself, isn’t a sports fan, but she said Malone’s gesture and the NBA’s movement have caused her to re-evaluate her position.
“Sports play a huge role in American society, and people like Coach Malone have a platform to lend voice to issues that are incredibly important to people who might not otherwise hear them,” she said.
Mosley can’t help it. On one hand, he’s heartened by the recognition and national attention his son’s case has garnered. But the spotlight also means re-living his worst nightmare.
“It hurts to see it every day, but I’ve been living with it since my son passed,” he said. “It has to get out there and it has to be done, and it should’ve been done a long time ago. I am happy. I am happy that it’s finally getting the recognition that it’s supposed to get and he’s going to get the justice that he deserves because he didn’t deserve any of this.”
The pressure and attention are working. On July 29, the Colorado public health department reopened its investigation into the use of ketamine on McClain after “numerous complaints,” according to the department’s spokesperson. The U.S. Department of Justice also announced it would look into whether police violated McClain’s civil rights, while state attorney general Phil Weiser is now reviewing the case as a special prosecutor after a district attorney declined to file charges against the officers.
Before he and Malone spoke and the topic was raised, Mosley said he would relish the opportunity to thank the Nuggets for bringing more attention to his son’s case.
“If it ever got set up, I’d love to speak to all of them,” he said. “I am a fan, I wouldn’t mind having a jersey signed by you guys. Like I said, it’s truly an honor.”
Numerous times he reiterated how much gratitude he had that the local team had poured energy and investment into his son’s case.
“Just thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I am a true fan,” he said.
And now that basketball is back?
“I’ll be watching, for sure,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Diane Mitsch Bush is an unflashy pragmatist. Is she also Colorado’s next congresswoman?

It was 2013 and state Rep. Claire Levy , a Democrat from Boulder , was looking to introduce legislation that would increase Colorado ’ s renewable energy sources and cut back on coal mining .
She expected to have an ally in a fellow environmentalist and Democrat , Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush of Steamboat Springs .
“ Well , she was an ally , ” Levy recalls , “ but she was very insistent that for people in her district , a lot of their economic security depends on those coal mines and she was going to put their needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a Democrat , to stand firm when there was a real strong push for everybody to be on board with renewable energy , ” Levy says .
“ It just took a lot of guts for her to stand up and say , ‘ Yeah , I can be on board , but you have to do something for my constituents.
’ ” Former colleagues of Mitsch Bush , who is now running for Congress in the closely watched 3rd District of western and southern Colorado , describe her as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in grabbing headlines .
Her tenures as a state legislator and Routt County commissioner were defined by an almost obsessive attention to detail and a willingness to work with all sides , those colleagues recall .
“ If you look at her bills , they ’ re not flashy , they ’ re not headline-grabbing , but they ’ re important policy changes that actually helped people ’ s lives in the district she represented , ” said Rep. Daneya Esgar , a Pueblo Democrat .
Mitsch Bush ’ s political career followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by state politics followed by a run for Congress — but it began late in her life , after a full academic career .
With snow-white hair , she is not the typical congressional candidate , a fact her friends and supporters readily acknowledge , and embrace .
“ Diane is very much her own person and does not fit into anyone ’ s mold .
She just does not , ” said Rep. Edie Hooton , a Boulder Democrat who calls her a mentor .
“ Fortunately , as time goes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that any of us have to fit into.
” If elected , the 70-year-old Mitsch Bush would be the oldest member of the Colorado congressional delegation and the oldest person in Colorado history elected to their first congressional term .
She is more than twice the age of Lauren Boebert , her 33-year-old Republican opponent .
“ Voters are going to look at this 70-year-old and they ’ re going to see a rerun and they ’ re going to look at ( Boebert ) and see a fresh face , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioner who represented the 3rd Congressional District from 1993 to 2005 .
“ That ’ s a huge advantage in a political race .
I like the Democrat — I ’ ve met her on numerous occasions — but I ’ d face the same thing if I was running .
I ’ m 67.
” Mitsch Bush grew up in a working-class home in St. Paul , Minnesota , raised by a single mother who took out payday loans to cover rent .
Their lot in life improved after her mother joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With union membership came dignity , respect , and a more secure financial future .
For a young Mitsch Bush , that meant college , and three sociology degrees from the University of Minnesota .
Her 1979 doctoral dissertation , which can still be purchased for $ 41 online , is 357 pages long and titled “ The Legitimation of Violence in Early Adolescence : A Longitudinal Analysis.
” It begins with six quotes about violence , including one from counterculture icon Jerry Rubin that contains both a racial slur for Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When a policeman shoots a n***** , that ’ s ‘ law and order.
’ But when a black man defends himself against a pig , that ’ s ‘ violence.
’ ” Mitsch Bush ’ s campaign says she was married to a police officer at the time and doesn ’ t agree with Rubin ’ s description of violence or his language .
She was merely demonstrating her understanding of the field of study and the topic she was researching , which was the legitimation of violence , her campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine why some people view particular forms of violence as legitimate and other forms of violence as illegitimate .
She followed 798 students in a large Midwestern city from sixth grade to seventh grade and interviewed them throughout to determine how parental and peer encouragement of violence — along with violence at school — shaped their views .
Among other findings , she concluded that class played little role in the kids ’ views of violence .
“ She was a very good student , very conscientious , ” recalls Paul Reynolds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minnesota and chair of the committee that supervised her doctoral thesis .
Reynolds says Mitsch Bush had a promising career in sociology ahead , but chose a skiing and outdoor life in Colorado over the time-consuming rigors of academic research at top universities .
She taught at Colorado State University and then Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs before retiring in late 2004 .
When Reynolds left the University of Minnesota in 2008 and coincidentally chose to retire in Steamboat , he was surprised to learn that a former student of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been active in Mitsch Bush ’ s campaigns ever since , including as manager of her 2010 county commission re-election .
That was an easy one , since her Republican challenger was found to be living outside the district and barred from being on the ballot , leaving Mitsch Bush unopposed .
“ She focuses very much on all the details , and sometimes you can ’ t do that , you need to take a broader picture , ” Reynolds said .
“ The biggest problem that campaign managers have is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not get too bogged down in all of the details.
” Her former campaign manager says she has a “ compulsive attention to detail ” that makes her a better lawmaker than candidate .
“ That ’ s kind of a disadvantage when she ’ s on the stump because when somebody in the audience asks a question , they get a 10-minute discussion with all of the subtle nuances and it overwhelms the audience , ” Reynolds said with a laugh .
“ It kind of distracts from her message.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the issues that still plague much of Colorado — affordable housing , oil and gas development — and made harder by the economic downturn , according to longtime commissioner Nancy Stahoviak , a Republican who served with Mitsch Bush for six years .
“ We took a pretty strong stance that oil and gas development was welcome in Routt County , however it was not going to be done at the expense of any one community or any one population of people or any one resource , ” she recalls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stahoviak said of the three commissioners .
“ When I was a commissioner , I was a Republican and Diane was a Democrat , the other commissioner was a Democrat .
But we didn ’ t see each other that way.
” In 2012 , Mitsch Bush made a leap from the commission to the legislature , winning a seat in House District 26 , an Idaho-shaped patch of Routt and Eagle counties in northwest Colorado .
She won the Democratic-leaning seat by a dozen percentage points that year , by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 points in 2016 before leaving the Capitol to run unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018 .
‘ It was never for show ’ Rep. Millie Hamner , a Dillon Democrat , knew there was a problem .
It was 2014 and she was hearing stories from constituents about truckers who skirted the law by driving the winding roads of the world-renowned Independence Pass , saving gas and time but sometimes getting stuck and jeopardizing other drivers ’ safety .
Hamner ’ s plan was to double , or in some cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the help of Mitsch Bush , who chaired the House Transportation Committee , they brought lobbyists for the trucking industry on board with the bill and passed it .
Hamner was impressed by the Democrat from Steamboat Springs .
“ She was known for her stakeholder meetings , where she would bring all sides into a room to figure out how to get to a solution , ” Esgar recalls .
“ When Diane brought a bill forward , you knew it had been vetted , you knew it had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had unusual areas of expertise .
Not only transportation , but also agriculture and water , too areas that Republicans typically had more experience with .
Since most House Democrats then and now live along the Front Range , it often fell on Mitsch Bush to explain agriculture and water policy .
“ She was the go-to person for me , as a freshman who really wanted to understand Colorado ag issues , ” said Hooton , who still calls Mitsch Bush from time to time to discuss agriculture and water .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she spoke very passionately and eloquently about agriculture in Colorado from her pretty solidly Democratic perspective.
” In some cases , legislation that Mitsch Bush championed didn ’ t become law until after she left , such as a tire traction law for Interstate 70 .
In other cases , like the the Independence Pass bill , she was able to forge a bipartisan consensus with the Republican-controlled Senate .
In very few cases did her legislation garner big media headlines or appearances on the nightly news , and that was fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the cameras , ” says Levy .
“ It was never for show.
” Editor ’ s note : This is the second of two profiles of candidates for Colorado ’ s 3rd Congressional District .
You can read the first story , about Lauren Boebert , here .

It was 2013 and state Rep. Claire Levy, a Democrat from Boulder, was looking to introduce legislation that would increase Colorado’s renewable energy sources and cut back on coal mining. She expected to have an ally in a fellow environmentalist and Democrat, Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush of Steamboat Springs.
“Well, she was an ally,” Levy recalls, “but she was very insistent that for people in her district, a lot of their economic security depends on those coal mines and she was going to put their needs very high.”
“It took guts, as a Democrat, to stand firm when there was a real strong push for everybody to be on board with renewable energy,” Levy says. “It just took a lot of guts for her to stand up and say, ‘Yeah, I can be on board, but you have to do something for my constituents.’”
Former colleagues of Mitsch Bush, who is now running for Congress in the closely watched 3rd District of western and southern Colorado, describe her as a policy wonk and pragmatist with little interest in grabbing headlines. Her tenures as a state legislator and Routt County commissioner were defined by an almost obsessive attention to detail and a willingness to work with all sides, those colleagues recall.
“If you look at her bills, they’re not flashy, they’re not headline-grabbing, but they’re important policy changes that actually helped people’s lives in the district she represented,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, a Pueblo Democrat.
Mitsch Bush’s political career followed a familiar trajectory — local politics followed by state politics followed by a run for Congress — but it began late in her life, after a full academic career. With snow-white hair, she is not the typical congressional candidate, a fact her friends and supporters readily acknowledge, and embrace.
“Diane is very much her own person and does not fit into anyone’s mold. She just does not,” said Rep. Edie Hooton, a Boulder Democrat who calls her a mentor. “Fortunately, as time goes on, there are fewer and fewer molds that any of us have to fit into.”
If elected, the 70-year-old Mitsch Bush would be the oldest member of the Colorado congressional delegation and the oldest person in Colorado history elected to their first congressional term. She is more than twice the age of Lauren Boebert, her 33-year-old Republican opponent.
“Voters are going to look at this 70-year-old and they’re going to see a rerun and they’re going to look at (Boebert) and see a fresh face,” said Scott McInnis, a Republican Mesa County commissioner who represented the 3rd Congressional District from 1993 to 2005.
“That’s a huge advantage in a political race. I like the Democrat — I’ve met her on numerous occasions — but I’d face the same thing if I was running. I’m 67.”
From academia to politics
Mitsch Bush grew up in a working-class home in St. Paul, Minnesota, raised by a single mother who took out payday loans to cover rent. Their lot in life improved after her mother joined a union, Mitsch Bush recalls. With union membership came dignity, respect, and a more secure financial future. For a young Mitsch Bush, that meant college, and three sociology degrees from the University of Minnesota.
Her 1979 doctoral dissertation, which can still be purchased for $41 online, is 357 pages long and titled “The Legitimation of Violence in Early Adolescence: A Longitudinal Analysis.” It begins with six quotes about violence, including one from counterculture icon Jerry Rubin that contains both a racial slur for Black people and an insulting term for police: “When a policeman shoots a n*****, that’s ‘law and order.’ But when a black man defends himself against a pig, that’s ‘violence.’”
Mitsch Bush’s campaign says she was married to a police officer at the time and doesn’t agree with Rubin’s description of violence or his language. She was merely demonstrating her understanding of the field of study and the topic she was researching, which was the legitimation of violence, her campaign says.
The dissertation set out to determine why some people view particular forms of violence as legitimate and other forms of violence as illegitimate. She followed 798 students in a large Midwestern city from sixth grade to seventh grade and interviewed them throughout to determine how parental and peer encouragement of violence — along with violence at school — shaped their views. Among other findings, she concluded that class played little role in the kids’ views of violence.
“She was a very good student, very conscientious,” recalls Paul Reynolds, a former sociology professor at the University of Minnesota and chair of the committee that supervised her doctoral thesis.
Reynolds says Mitsch Bush had a promising career in sociology ahead, but chose a skiing and outdoor life in Colorado over the time-consuming rigors of academic research at top universities. She taught at Colorado State University and then Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs before retiring in late 2004.
When Reynolds left the University of Minnesota in 2008 and coincidentally chose to retire in Steamboat, he was surprised to learn that a former student of his was now a county commissioner. He has been active in Mitsch Bush’s campaigns ever since, including as manager of her 2010 county commission re-election. That was an easy one, since her Republican challenger was found to be living outside the district and barred from being on the ballot, leaving Mitsch Bush unopposed.
“She focuses very much on all the details, and sometimes you can’t do that, you need to take a broader picture,” Reynolds said. “The biggest problem that campaign managers have is keeping her focused on the broader issues and not get too bogged down in all of the details.”
Her former campaign manager says she has a “compulsive attention to detail” that makes her a better lawmaker than candidate. “That’s kind of a disadvantage when she’s on the stump because when somebody in the audience asks a question, they get a 10-minute discussion with all of the subtle nuances and it overwhelms the audience,” Reynolds said with a laugh. “It kind of distracts from her message.”
Routt County commissioners in those years had to address the issues that still plague much of Colorado — affordable housing, oil and gas development — and made harder by the economic downturn, according to longtime commissioner Nancy Stahoviak, a Republican who served with Mitsch Bush for six years.
“We took a pretty strong stance that oil and gas development was welcome in Routt County, however it was not going to be done at the expense of any one community or any one population of people or any one resource,” she recalls.
“We were not political people,” Stahoviak said of the three commissioners. “When I was a commissioner, I was a Republican and Diane was a Democrat, the other commissioner was a Democrat. But we didn’t see each other that way.”
In 2012, Mitsch Bush made a leap from the commission to the legislature, winning a seat in House District 26, an Idaho-shaped patch of Routt and Eagle counties in northwest Colorado. She won the Democratic-leaning seat by a dozen percentage points that year, by a similar margin in 2014, and by more than 20 points in 2016 before leaving the Capitol to run unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018.
‘It was never for show’
Rep. Millie Hamner, a Dillon Democrat, knew there was a problem. It was 2014 and she was hearing stories from constituents about truckers who skirted the law by driving the winding roads of the world-renowned Independence Pass, saving gas and time but sometimes getting stuck and jeopardizing other drivers’ safety.
Hamner’s plan was to double, or in some cases triple, the penalties on lawbreaking truckers. With the help of Mitsch Bush, who chaired the House Transportation Committee, they brought lobbyists for the trucking industry on board with the bill and passed it. Hamner was impressed by the Democrat from Steamboat Springs.
“She was known for her stakeholder meetings, where she would bring all sides into a room to figure out how to get to a solution,” Esgar recalls. “When Diane brought a bill forward, you knew it had been vetted, you knew it had been researched.”
For a Democrat, she had unusual areas of expertise. Not only transportation, but also agriculture and water, too areas that Republicans typically had more experience with. Since most House Democrats then and now live along the Front Range, it often fell on Mitsch Bush to explain agriculture and water policy.
“She was the go-to person for me, as a freshman who really wanted to understand Colorado ag issues,” said Hooton, who still calls Mitsch Bush from time to time to discuss agriculture and water. “She was the person I went to and she spoke very passionately and eloquently about agriculture in Colorado from her pretty solidly Democratic perspective.”
In some cases, legislation that Mitsch Bush championed didn’t become law until after she left, such as a tire traction law for Interstate 70. In other cases, like the the Independence Pass bill, she was able to forge a bipartisan consensus with the Republican-controlled Senate. In very few cases did her legislation garner big media headlines or appearances on the nightly news, and that was fine with her.
“She never played to the cameras,” says Levy. “It was never for show.”
Editor’s note: This is the second of two profiles of candidates for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. You can read the first story, about Lauren Boebert, here.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--On Philanthropy: Communities and nonprofits need corporate giving now more than ever

Just one year ago , in 2019 , U.S. corporate philanthropy increased by 13.4 % over 2018 to $ 21.09 billion .
However , those donations represented a mere 5 % of the nearly $ 450 billion in total U.S. giving .
Today , the world has changed and we are experiencing the triple whammy of the uncontrolled coronavirus , the long-overdue expansion of the racial justice movement and the deepest economic crisis of our lives .
Now is the time when the help of the many businesses that are still profitable is urgently needed .
Not only will enhanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which their employees and customers live , multiple studies demonstrate that strategic community engagement enhances the bottom line .
With massive unemployment , business failures , political giving in this election year , the recent changes in income tax laws and more , the nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented losses .
Over half of nonprofit fundraising professionals expect to see decreases in giving in both 2020 and 2021 .
Thousands of nonprofits — particularly mid-sized and smaller local ones that are dependent on individual donations — will be forced to reduce programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , close their doors for good .
Consumers want companies to get involved in important social issues Research shows that 78 % of U.S. consumers want companies to address important social justice issues .
Eighty-seven percent will purchase a product because a company advocated for an issue they cared about and , conversely , 76 % will refuse to purchase a company ’ s products or services if it supports an issue contrary to their beliefs .
Moreover , 75 % of people are likely to start shopping at a company that supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fewer people ( 44 % ) say price is the main reason they support a company compared to evidence of environmentally friendly business practices ( 71 % ) , social responsibility ( 68 % ) and giving back to the local community ( 68 % ) .
The majority of consumers expect companies to take a stance on social issues .
Almost 60 % of the public wants companies to give an opinion specifically on racial equity , social justice and anti-discrimination ; almost half want the same for the environment/climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community-engaged companies Millennials , people ages 24 to 39 in 2020 , comprise 35 % of the global workforce and , by 2025 , that number will rise to 75 % .
In one study , 83 % of millennials claimed more loyalty to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental issues , compared to 70 % of the entire multi-generational U.S. workforce .
A whopping 88 % of millennials say their jobs are more fulfilling when they have the opportunity to work for these companies .
Many ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holy grail of making cash donations to local nonprofits , companies can increase financial support and opportunities for employee volunteerism ; establish or increase a program to match employees ’ donations to local charities ; donate employees ’ skills and services to the nonprofit sector ; contribute products and services to nonprofits in need ; shift production lines to meet pressing needs in health care or education ; host internal charitable drives for food , clothing , books , etc .
; expand support for mental health care for employees balancing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work responsibilities ; and , of course , increase pay and health care benefits .
To be effective in making philanthropic decisions , businesses should develop an articulated , coherent plan that will : • Consider the views external stakeholders , including members of the communities you wish to serve • Use the United Nation ’ s SDG ’ s ( Sustainable Development Goals ) as a roadmap • Align all of the company ’ s resources No matter the size of the company , the community or the contribution , businesses increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate citizen helps them recruit , engage and retain employees ; create better relationships with vendors and regulators ; satisfy investors ’ objectives ; and deepen ties with customers , all while making a difference in the world .
These efforts increase the likelihood of improving businesses ’ triple bottom line — taking care of people , protecting the planet and enhancing profits .
Bruce DeBoskey , J.D.
, is a philanthropic strategist working across the United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families , businesses , foundations and family offices design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans .
He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy .
Visit deboskeygroup.com or @ BDeBo .

Just one year ago, in 2019, U.S. corporate philanthropy increased by 13.4% over 2018 to $21.09 billion. However, those donations represented a mere 5% of the nearly $450 billion in total U.S. giving.
Today, the world has changed and we are experiencing the triple whammy of the uncontrolled coronavirus, the long-overdue expansion of the racial justice movement and the deepest economic crisis of our lives. Now is the time when the help of the many businesses that are still profitable is urgently needed. Not only will enhanced corporate philanthropy support nonprofits in the communities in which their employees and customers live, multiple studies demonstrate that strategic community engagement enhances the bottom line.
With massive unemployment, business failures, political giving in this election year, the recent changes in income tax laws and more, the nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented losses. Over half of nonprofit fundraising professionals expect to see decreases in giving in both 2020 and 2021. Thousands of nonprofits — particularly mid-sized and smaller local ones that are dependent on individual donations — will be forced to reduce programs and services and, in many cases, close their doors for good.
Consumers want companies to get involved in important social issues
Research shows that 78% of U.S. consumers want companies to address important social justice issues. Eighty-seven percent will purchase a product because a company advocated for an issue they cared about and, conversely, 76% will refuse to purchase a company’s products or services if it supports an issue contrary to their beliefs.
Moreover, 75% of people are likely to start shopping at a company that supports an issue they agree with. And, fewer people (44%) say price is the main reason they support a company compared to evidence of environmentally friendly business practices (71%), social responsibility (68%) and giving back to the local community (68%).
The majority of consumers expect companies to take a stance on social issues. Almost 60% of the public wants companies to give an opinion specifically on racial equity, social justice and anti-discrimination; almost half want the same for the environment/climate change.
Younger employees want to work for community-engaged companies
Millennials, people ages 24 to 39 in 2020, comprise 35% of the global workforce and, by 2025, that number will rise to 75%. In one study, 83% of millennials claimed more loyalty to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental issues, compared to 70% of the entire multi-generational U.S. workforce. A whopping 88% of millennials say their jobs are more fulfilling when they have the opportunity to work for these companies.
Many ways to help beyond making donations
In addition to the holy grail of making cash donations to local nonprofits, companies can increase financial support and opportunities for employee volunteerism; establish or increase a program to match employees’ donations to local charities; donate employees’ skills and services to the nonprofit sector; contribute products and services to nonprofits in need; shift production lines to meet pressing needs in health care or education; host internal charitable drives for food, clothing, books, etc.; expand support for mental health care for employees balancing the stress of the pandemic with family and work responsibilities; and, of course, increase pay and health care benefits.
To be effective in making philanthropic decisions, businesses should develop an articulated, coherent plan that will:
Engage all internal stakeholders
Consider the views external stakeholders, including members of the communities you wish to serve
Identify the reasons for giving
Use the United Nation’s SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals) as a roadmap
Align all of the company’s resources
Develop an authentic communication plan
Design and execute a strategy for impact
No matter the size of the company, the community or the contribution, businesses increasingly understand that a reputation as a good corporate citizen helps them recruit, engage and retain employees; create better relationships with vendors and regulators; satisfy investors’ objectives; and deepen ties with customers, all while making a difference in the world. These efforts increase the likelihood of improving businesses’ triple bottom line — taking care of people, protecting the planet and enhancing profits.
Bruce DeBoskey, J.D., is a philanthropic strategist working across the United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families, businesses, foundations and family offices design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans. He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy. Visit deboskeygroup.com or @BDeBo.