The complicated space between capitalism, life and death

If Damar Hamlin had died, would you be less likely to watch the Super Bowl?

Guest Column

e National Football League is a $18-billion per year industry, so a lot was riding on that question.

Fortunately, the Bu alo Bills safety survived a neardeath injury he sustained on Jan. 2 before a live television audience of 24 million. He might even suit up again this fall.

During that uncertain week of Hamlin’s injury, NFL o cials faced an unprecedented challenge of deciding how to handle a canceled game, a distressed team, and a worried nation.

But somewhere in New York City, a small group of NFL analysts were likely crunching numbers – laying out economic scenarios for how Hamlin’s death would impact the

Letter To The Editor

league. Would people pull their kids out of youth football? Would attendance or television viewership decline? Would advertisers pull out of the broadcast?

God forbid – would Rhianna pull out of the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

e NFL got lucky.

If Hamlin had died, the playo s and Super Bowl would be taking place amid loud public debate about the danger of football. Instead, the NFL will surely have Hamlin waving to fans from sweet box seats.

ere is a very complicated space existing between big-dollar capitalism and the unpredictable realities of life, death, and public perception. When billions are at risk, well-resourced professionals go to extraordinary lengths to manage how you think.

ey want you to know that risk exists – that keeps things exciting –but not enough to turn you away. Do you know how many people die on Colorado’s ski slopes each year?

This kind of brutality has no place in policing

Over the last several days, I have had the chance to re ect on the actions of the ve former Memphis police o cers that were involved in the death of Tyre Nichols. I am horri ed by what occurred earlier this month and the failure of anyone at the scene to intervene or render aid. I wish to express my deepest condolences to all Mr. Nichols’ loved ones and the Memphis community.

is kind of brutality has no place in policing. e criminal actions of these former o cers does not re ect the service provided by all of those in law enforcement across the country and here locally, who serve their communities with the highest levels of integrity and respect.

I want to assure our community that the Brighton Police Department remains committed to our organizational values, which include service without prejudice, human life and dignity, and maintaining high ethical standards. I want you to know that we are wholeheartedly dedicated to consistent and fair application of the law, and we will continue to work in partnership with our community to build relationships based on trust and integrity. While these can be difcult conversations to have, we are here to answer any questions you may have about our department with openness and honesty.

Matt Domenico, Brighton chief of police

Tandard Blade S

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To subscribe call 303-566-4100 e ski industry contributes $5 billion annually to the state’s economy, and their government a airs operations have successfully blocked past legislative attempts – the last in 2021 – to make fatality statistics public information. e U.S. Coast Guard can tell you how many people died in recreational boating accidents last year, but no one in Colorado will give you an o cial number on deaths at the state’s ski resorts. e NFL had their potential public relations and marketing nightmare play out on national television. Meanwhile, the ski industry spends generously to keep you in the dark to avoid theirs, avoiding public accountability and awareness.

Spoiler alert: you don’t.

Do you have the right to know that number? ey think no.

In 2021, the Colorado Sun did an investigative report attempting to document the number of ski-related deaths in the state. To do it, they had to call county coroners for data the ski industry wouldn’t provide.

In their 2017 investigative series “Whiteout,” the Summit Daily News reported at least 137 deaths on Colorado’s slopes in the preceding 10 seasons. e National Ski Areas Association estimates an average of 45 “catastrophic injuries” each year.

If you knew that number – if Colorado law allowed you to know that number – would you be less likely to sign up your middle-schooler for ski lessons? Would you plan your girls weekend on a beach instead of on a mountain?

Maybe you would, marking it up to acceptable risk. Or, maybe you wouldn’t.

My former roommate, Martin, was 32 when he died on an intermediate slope at Vail in April 2008, leaving behind a wife and a newborn daughter. We think he was the 17th and nal ski-related death in Colorado that year. Of course, we will never know.

I haven’t participated in winter sports since.

T.J. Sullivan is the executive director of the Parker Chamber of Commerce

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

STEVE SMITH Sports Editor ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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