Volume 13 • Edition 07
April 1, 2020
Serving rural Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson
Each Colorado Coronavirus Patient is Spreading the Disease to as Many as 4 People, Governor Says
The coronavirus has sickened more than 1,700 people in Colorado and killed at least 33. More than 200 people are hospitalized. by Jesse Paul@jesseapaul, The Colorado Sun — jesse@coloradosun.com CENTENNIAL — Each Coloradan infected by the new coronavirus likely has spread the disease to three or four others, Gov. Jared Polis said Friday as he warned of how bad things may get in the state unless people start taking social distancing seriously. In explaining — and defending — his stay-at-home order issued earlier this week, Polis said the goal is to reduce that transmission number as much as possible and prevent a calamity in the coming months. Still, he warned that the situation will continue to worsen regardless. But, the governor says, Coloradans can save thousands of lives by heeding the public health orders issued in recent weeks. “We can save lives quickly, and we are, by staying home,” Polis said. The coronavirus has sickened more than 1,700 people in Colorado and killed at least 33. More than 200 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. State health officials have warned there are likely thousands more who are infected with virus who either haven’t yet been tested or who don’t have symptoms. In releasing preliminary epidemiological projections developed by a team at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, Polis portrayed a dire situation that would have occurred had the state taken no action. Without any social distancing measures, Polis said COVID-19 could kill more than 33,000 people in the state under the worst scenario. At the peak of the outbreak, Colorado would need nearly 14,000 critical-care hospital beds. The state has only about 1,800 such beds now, Polis said. Hospitals hope to add another 1,000 critical-care beds by May and have 5,000 critical-care beds by the summer, he said. Colorado hospitals currently have only about 900 ventilators — which will be vital for saving lives as the virus sweeps through the state. But Polis said hospitals may need as many as 7,000 ventilators at the peak of the pandemic. Friday was the first time state officials have disclosed the estimated number of criticalcare hospital beds and ventilators available in the state. The information comes as they increasingly stress to the public the need to stay home as much as possible. The global transmission rate for coronavirus patients is two, meaning that Colorado has been trending above that level. Polis said that could be because of a myriad of factors. “Colorado is dry, Colorado has been cold. Those things affect it,” he said. “Coloradans, unlike in Asian countries, traditionally greet one other by shaking hands instead of bowing.” With social distancing measures, Polis said, the projected numbers of deaths and needed beds fall significantly. In the most optimistic scenario, if the state reduces social interaction by 60%, Polis said 900 critical-care beds would be needed at the peak of the outbreak and the virus would claim 400 lives in Colorado this year. Polis said he is hoping the stay-at-home order will achieve a 70 to 80% reduction in social contact, meaning deaths and resource demands will be even lower. “I, like you, would much rather end up with more masks at the end of this than to leave people without masks and infected and dying,” he said. “I’d like to have one extra ventilator than one too few. If we get this right, some might say we did too much too soon. I would much rather be the recipient of that complaint than to have a full-scale public health disaster with tens of thousands of Coloradans paying the ultimate price.” “The counting on this just continually evolves” The numbers released Friday come with some significant uncertainties — including whether researchers have accurately been able to calculate the infectiousness of the new coronavirus and whether the state can accurately predict the current number of people infected. In an interview earlier Friday, Scott Bookman, the state Health Department’s incident commander for COVID-19, said health officials are still working with private testing labs to capture data about all the tests those labs are running and are also working to update how they track hospitalizations and recoveries. “The counting on this just continually evolves as the outbreak evolves,” he said. But the new projections are in line with other estimates that have been recently published. Jacqueline Maldonado washes her hands at her home in Timnath on Wednesday,
March 25, 2020. Like many people, Maldonado has been washing her hands frequently to avoid contracting COVID-19. She and her family have been staying at home and not having company. (Valerie Mosley, Special to The Colorado Sun) Earlier this week, researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation released state-by-state projections for the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it does not reflect the impact of Polis’ stay-at-home order, the model still paints an optimistic picture for Colorado — showing that the state will have enough hospital beds to meet the demand, provided the current measures remain in place for at least a few more weeks. The model projects 940 deaths in Colorado from COVID-19 by late summer. A team of data scientists calling themselves CoVidActNow has also published projections showing that Colorado will stay well within its hospital resource capacity with a stay-at-home order that goes on for three months. Cont. on Page 3, See Corona Virus
Polis Announces Statewide Stay-At-Home Order
By Colorado Public Radio Staff Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issues a stay-at-home order for the state on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The governor of Colorado has publically stated, more than once, that he hoped to avoid any orders to require residents to hunker down. He hoped most Coloradans would voluntarily to comply with advice geared toward slowing the spread of COVID-19 across the state. Things have now changed on that front. Gov. Jared Polis issued a statewide “stay at home” order Wednesday, requiring the state’s 5.7 million residents to avoid unnecessary travel and mingling with others outside their households. Polis, who had resisted taking the dramatic step even as cities, counties and local health departments in metro Denver issued the orders, said he was persuaded that a statewide approach was necessary as the number of deaths from the coronavirus grew from 11 to 19 in a single day. “Now is the time to stay at home,” Polis said. As the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded across Colorado, Polis had initially resisted a statewide shelter-in-place or stay-at-home order for economic reasons. To be sure, the governor has made moves that have had an impact on state businesses like temporarily closing ski resorts or shutting down restaurants, bars, schools, barbershops, massage parlors and other places where Coloradans congregate. The governor had previously said, “we want to ease restriction on our economy where possible, without endangering public health.” Part of the deployed response has been specifically aimed at the economy and tapped former-Denver Mayor Federico Peña to lead an advisory council to blunt any economic downturn.
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE:
Page 2: Way of the World Page 2: As I See the Caucus Page 5: Tommy Holton Makes Ballot Page 6: WB I-76 Pavement Work Begins Page 8: Beginning of a Bust Page 9: How to Protect Yourself Against COVID-19 Page 11: Physical Distancing Critical Page 12: US was More Prepared than Other Countries Page 14 & 16: 6 Ways Aid Package Will Help Coloradans
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– Way of the World –
Lost Creek Guide
by Bob Grand The COVID 19 issue has a bright spot. It has focused our two major parties on working together to solve a common problem. Our President and our Governors, particularly our Governor Pollis have done a reasonably good job on focusing on the COVIS 19 issue. One only hopes that it rubs off on to other issues. Now it is just not feasible to expect to be completely prepared for a major disaster. There are not enough resources, both in terms of people, money and time to prepare for a 100% of everything that can happen. There is another issue that no one likes to talk about and that is our aging population. When social security was begun in 1935 the average life expectancy was 61 years old. Today in the United States life expectancy is 78 years old which is great for us old folks. That is an increase of 28% . Our US population in 1935 was 127.3 million, today it is 327.2 million. that is an increase of 327%. No one wants to discuss the implications this has in terms of the cost of social security and the increasing demands on the health care system. The government, better known as our elected politicians, ignores it, kicking the can down the road. That is a terrible legacy to leave to our children and grandchildren. We all see political polarization in Washington, at the State level, and even the county level. We need to hold our elected officials, be they Republican or Democratic, accountable for positive results. A measure of a politician’s electability should be on what he or she has accomplished. What have they said they will do versus what they have actually done or more importantly not done? This COVID 19 issue has brought a light on how we should be able to address issues. Why not the same focus on health care, social security, immigration, tort reform, the judicial system, tax reform …. et al? Too hot politically to address. As a voter your vote is important. It represents one of the key factors that makes America what it is. Unfortunately, we have allowed the system to be manipulated by the some for their own self-interests and have not taken them to task for that. We should not be embarrassed to ask our candidates what you have done for both the short term and long term to better the quality of life for us, our children and grandchildren down the road. We just cannot continue to grow the national debt to satisfy what everyone wants to have now. We should ask our politicians what their plan is for the future of our country and our children. Right now, it is not a pretty picture. The next few months will be difficult for a lot of people and businesses. Unfortunately, not all will survive. Be supportive where you can. Ask a neighbor or friend if they need help. Several have asked me, and I was appreciative. In turn I have asked several if they need any assistance and they were thankful. During these times be a better person. As usual you thoughts and comments are always appreciated: publisher@lostcreekguide.com or 303-732-4080
April 1, 2020
As I See the Caucus/Assembly of Weld County
This is Corey Seulean, candidate for State House District 63. I would like to share with you my observations of the Caucus/Assembly process in Weld County. Of course, I am only speaking of the Republican side of things as I have not participated at all in the democrat side. In general, I believe the Caucus/Assembly process in its purest form is good and a great way for people in our communities to participate in local and state-wide elections. However, that is not what we have! What I saw happening is a handful of people who are powerful and very influential take control of the process by manipulation, deceit and simply put dirty politics. I saw politicians collaborate with a candidate for the purpose of shutting out a candidate they did not like. I saw special interest groups with money and a tremendous data base of emails and addresses overwhelm the people of this county with lies and slander and deceit. Because of the Coronavirus Outbreak, things were drastically different than normal years. I do not believe things were done on purpose to manipulate the process, but it ended up that way. There were politicians/candidates who touted the “Caucus or Bust” ideology who said if they could not garner 30% of the people’s votes, they did not deserve to be in office. What was so shallow with most of that was if NOBODY would be opposing them at Caucus/ Assembly, they would get 100% of the vote anyway. To me, that came across as gutless and weak! My race, HD63, was the only contested race at Caucus/Assembly. There was no honorable sportsmanship or even playing field or fairness that went into the weeks of the process. I saw the “good ole gals club” band together and do whatever they thought necessary to push out a legitimate threat to their continued corruption and power. I was shocked at those politicians and activists who claimed to be Christian act in such un-Christlike behavior. I honestly thought I was among liberal democrats! Looking back on it now, I understand why so many candidates decided to petition their way on to the ballot. They were maligned and defamed by the “Caucus or Bust” crowd but what they did was not morally wrong or evil. They were not bypassing the will of the people but simply wanted to avoid the corruption that is so broad and so deep. I regret not doing the same myself. In the end, what should always happen is that every candidate who desires to serve their state and the people of a district should have the opportunity to present themselves to the voters and allow them the opportunity to decide who they feel would best represent them in politics. What we currently have as the district 63 representative is a “pseudoqueen pin politician” and a few activists who think they are gods and will decide for the rest of us who should represent us. The tactics that were employed were irresponsible, unethical and dirty politics. We deserve better as a county and we will not get a better result at the State Capitol and local politics until the good people of this county say enough is enough and demand changes. I wish to help create this change and inform the people of our great county what is going on. I have decided to continue my race for State House District 63 as a write-in candidate and I will fight all the way until the end! I ask you for your help. What I am attempting to do will take money and manpower. I need your help to spread the word to your friends and family especially those who live in HD 63. Together we can do this. Together we can change things in the greatest county in our state. We will make a difference and we will win! Please go to my website at coreyforcolorado.com to give to my campaign. Please call me on my personal cell phone 720-938-1643 if you would like to help volunteer or if you have any questions. I will be in touch. Thank you for your time and understanding. God bless you and God bless Colorado!
The Lost Creek Guide, Llc Bob Grand - Publisher 303-732-4080 publisher@lostcreekguide.com
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April 1, 2020
Lost Creek Guide
Publisher Comment on Corey Seulean, Running for Colorado House District 63, Thoughts on the Weld County
Republican 2020 Caucus Process Corey Seulean comments on the Weld County 2020 Republican Caucus process are brutal. But you know what, there are seven good Republican candidates running for office this year who have elected to petition on the ballot as opposed to going through the Republican caucus process. To me this translates to the fact that they do not necessarily disagree with what Corey Seulean has said, they just have not expressed it so brutally. Will Sander, the Weld County Republican Chair, has a tough job, aggravated by a group that believes they are entitled. We will see how he handles the purported irregular activity by two Weld Country party officials during the caucus process. The bigger questions are how the Weld County Republican establishment can support current House District 63 Representative Lori Saine for the Weld County District 3 Commissioner position. It is a heavily rural agriculture and oil & gas production area. Now Ms. Saine certainly fits the bill from an anti-abortion and pro 2nd Amendment positions for a being a solid Republican with the old guard group. But is that the only criteria that should be considered? The Weld County budget is over $350,000,000. The way the current Board of Commissioners operates each Commissioner has direct oversight over a particular piece of the Weld County operation. Ms. Saine has filed for personal bankruptcy protection twice. Is that the extent of her experience? Where is the common sense? Where is the accountability to the voters? What are her accomplishments to qualify for holding the position of a Weld County commissioner, particularly in District 3? The citizens of Weld County deserve representation by qualified candidates, candidates who respect the fact that they represent all of the people, including unaffiliated, Democrats and Republicans. The position of Weld County should not be run as a loyalty reward points game, awarding those chosen for party loyalty, to run for political office, as opposed to actual real qualifications. Voters should have meaningful accomplishments to look to as an indication of how a candidate will perform their job. What are Lori Saine’s accomplishments, other than being loyal to the Weld County old guard Republican establishment? There are over 70,000 registered Republicans in Weld County, the assembly represented about 150 of those folks. And people wonder why there are more registered unaffiliated voters than Republicans in Weld County.
Each Colorado Coronavirus Patient is Spreading the Disease to as Many as 4 People, Governor Says
Cont. from Page 1 Polis said it could be weeks until Colorado can see the benefit in data of the restrictions he’s placed on the state. It can take days before the virus sickens people who are infected. He said it may not be until April 7 that the state sees the effect of the stay-at-home order that went into effect on Thursday. “We won’t know the full impact for each action until 12 days or so,” he said. Numbers published by the data company Unacast show the measures are having an impact in at least one measurable way. As of Monday, Coloradans had reduced their average distance traveled by nearly 30%, and some mountain communities — which issued local stay-at-home orders prior to the state’s — had seen their travel drop by more than 50%. Polis, who was more animated during his Friday news conference than he had been in previous briefings, said he knows the stay-at-home order has inflicted hardship on many Coloradans. But without taking action, he said, the impact of losing tens of thousands of lives over the next couple of months would linger far longer in the state’s culture and economy. Following the order now is needed both to save lives and to allow life to return to normal more quickly. “This,” he said, “is the quickest path from A to B.” Polis also brushed off criticism from a number of Republicans in the legislature who blasted the governor for not consulting with them. Polis said his moves have been necessary and certainly aren’t partisan. “Those businesses will be shut down” The governor also issued a stern warning to nonessential businesses that are staying open despite his stay-at-home order, as well as essential businesses that aren’t doing everything they can to ensure social distancing in the workplace. “That’s against the law,” Polis said, “and those business will be shut down. Please report them immediately. Companies need to take this very seriously. If there’s bad employers out there that are just saying ‘somehow we’re exempt,’ no employer is exempt from this order. If you are critical, you are required to do the maximum social distancing you can.” The governor urged people to file reports with their county health departments and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Polis also said people, on an individual basis, need to challenge each other to practice social distancing as much as possible. “We are seeing increased social distancing. That’s good,” he said. “But we need to see more.” Polis said the state has been tracking the effectiveness of its orders limiting Coloradans’ movement by monitoring traffic numbers and also GPS data from people’s mobile devices. “We are using commercially available data that the state is subscribed to that gives us GPS ping data that provides us sampling of how Coloradans are moving and where,” he said. Polis stressed that the data doesn’t provide identifiable information and has been used for years by governments and businesses for things like zoning and store placement. The end goal Polis said the idea is to allow Coloradans to resume their daily lives as soon as possible, but he made clear that the virus will be around for a long time to come. “The virus will still be with us,” he said. It will be, as Polis calls it, a “new” normal. Precautions will still be in place, but the situation will be less dire and deadly. “We want to implement the South Korea model. South Korea doesn’t function the exact way it functioned two months ago, but most people are able to go to work, earn a living and it’s generally functioning as an economy in a way that America is not right now.” That country has controlled the spread of the virus through widespread testing, contact tracing — tracking who infected people interacted with — and close surveillance. “They’re dealing with the problem on a case-by-case, cluster-by-cluster basis instead of with widespread lockdowns and disruptions of economic activity,” he said, “which is where he want to get here in Colorado.”
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Letter to the Citizens of Keenesburg
Ballots have been mailed out, so it is time to vote. The citizen’s in Keenesburg do not have a good record for voting, as mentioned, the last Mayor’s race had a 20% return. I, obviously, would like you to vote for Bob Grand for Mayor, as I believe I am the best qualified candidate, but more importantly I want you to vote. We send a very poor message to our elected officials, at the local, county and state level, as well as town employees and people who might consider living or doing business in Keenesburg. Do the citizens of Keenesburg really care? By not voting you indicate a lack of interest and concern. I do not believe that to be the case. I believe that robust discussion is healthy. We do not have to agree a 100 percent, but we should want to hear what the other person has to say and perhaps, by listening, we might realize there is some sincere thought to be considered. In today’s world of absolute political divide among the major parties, listening might be an art to be revisited and rediscovered. I am convinced this contributes to the fact that the unaffiliated voter base is the largest percentage of Weld County voters. I believe our low voting turn out has adversely affected the town in several areas. Primarily with how we are viewed by the County elected officials and employees. At a December Commissioner meeting hearing our own District 3 Commissioner made remarks about the size of Keenesburg. Do you wonder why there are no library facilities in Keenesburg or Lochbuie yet we all pay taxes to the High Plains Library District? We all need to be advocates for the Town. Two of our biggest assets in the community are the American Legion Post 180 and its sub organizations which do an awful lot for the citizens of the community and the SE Weld Fair & Jr. Rodeo Association, most of whose members in both organizations do not live within the boundaries of the Town of Keenesburg. We should all be working together to improve the quality of life within the town. I understand that by not voting some folks think it becomes somebody else’s issue. Take responsibility, help make Keenesburg a better place to live and raise a family. Show everyone you do care. VOTE! Thank you to all that have contacted me, either for coffee at Dar’s Deno’s, visiting or by phone. Your thoughts and observations were appreciated. This COVID 19 issue is a learning experience for all of us. I am afraid we will be rethinking how we live, learn and do business for a long while. Thank you for your consideration, Bob Grand, Candidate for Mayor of Keenesburg.
Response to Anna Brooks Article
Anna, If you have worked so well with Leon on the water project, then, my question to you would be, why don’t you water your own lawn? Can it be that you can’t afford your own lawn? Can it be that you can’t afford your own water bill, like so many in the community? The current board reduced the number of monthly meetings to one. Was this based on your “hero” Paul Larino’s recommendation? As a TRUE BUSINESS owner and someone who is actively hearing from industries and commercial businesses, I would like to know where you’re getting your information about these entities holding off as they wait for water and sewer upgrades. The reasons I hear, are HIGH TAXES and HIGH COST of TOWN AMENITIES. Morgan County REA rates and XCEL Energy Natural Gas rates are very competitive and regulated. Taxes, sewer and water are not! Don’t you think Keenesburg being at mile marker 40 has more to do with it than poor planning on Wiggins part? Again, being in the business, this what I hear from the people moving to the area. Just for the record, I do sell from here to Denver, so I talk to those buyers as well. As for Brush, let’s not forget Brush’s job market has some positives as well, Xcel Energy power plant and CoGen. Being in the Real Estate business, the housing costs are less in Brush. As for your list of background items, you were appointed to the Wiggins Board of Trustees for a short term. When you ran for a second term, the people saw your performance and you only received 50 votes and lost. 90% of the organizations on your background lists, are not accomplishments, but paid memberships,. The one industry that did raise my interest was “Success in Real Estate”. What is this? I remember when I first met you, you claimed you and your partner were going to bring houses that were, in your words,”Up on Steel”. My question is how many have you completed and sold? Your list of awards, as I tried to Google search them, stated “NONE KNOWN IN THE SEARCH AREA”. This is also true with Legal Shield. My advice to anyone considering voting for “Anna”, take her Lost Creek Guide article and research it first! Glen L. Neal, Owner/Broker Lazy J Diamond Ent. LLC DBA Gateway Realty LLC
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Lost Creek Guide
Mark Strickland, Candidate for Town of Wiggins Board of Trustees
Dear Wiggins Residents, My name is Mark Strickland and I have served on the Town of Wiggins Board of Trustees since elected in November 2019. I want to thank all of you who made this possible this last election. It has been humbling and a great opportunity for me to grow my knowledge and experience. April 7th 2020 is closing in and the town will still be holding the election for the open seats. Our town has seen many changes in the last 6 months and will continue to change into the future. Growing pains can sometime seem unnecessary at times and that is why I am running again for the trustee position. I am here to do the hard work to make this town the best it can be. I may not always be the favorite trustee but my goal is to be the most available and engaged. This is why I have included my email and phone number information during my last campaign and letter to the editor. I want to hear your concerns, comments, and or ideas to improve any portion of this town. The board currently has set in motion a plan to make the potable water and waste water systems a priority. The board is also hiring a new police chief and working within our budget to retain quality town employees. This helps the town move forward in FY2020 to overcome the challenges that range from covid-19 stay-at-home orders to getting a new sewer line installed under the railroad. Some residents may feel their voice is not being heard due to past experiences at town meetings. As of this writing, I have only received one email and less than 5 phone calls from residence concerning issues in our town. I work for you, the voter, the tax payer, and the residents who may or may not want to call me neighbor. April 7th is one way to have your voice clearly heard whether you choose to go to town hall between 7am and 7pm, or you choose to vote by absentee ballot. Your vote will determine the outcome of the future of this town. I want to encourage you to reach out to current and running board members to make your voice heard. The board is here to work for you regardless of how past meetings have made you feel. My current campaign for this election has been limited due to current events and there for I would like for your vote based on my performance thus far. I ask that you consider a vote for Mark Strickland only on the basis that I am doing what you have asked of me. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community and I look forward to doing my best in the future for you, the Town of Wiggins. Respectfully, Mark Strickland Strickland@wigginsco.com 970-301-2248
VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 6:30 P.M.
REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING Join us for our first-ever “telephone town hall” Virtual Annual Meeting. Any member is invited to participate over the phone for an update on our 2019 accomplishments and annual financial report, director election results and door prizes to registered members. All registered members who participate are eligible for a $10 bill credit. Register at www.unitedpower.com/annual-meeting. Pre-registration is required.
VOTING YOUR BALLOT IN THE 2020 DIRECTOR ELECTION Four positions on United Power’s eleven-member board are up for election, one seat in each director district (South, East, West and Mountain). Return ballots via US Mail. There will be no ballot drop boxes and no in-person balloting this year. Please return your ballots in the postage-paid envelope. Ballots must arrive at P.O. Box by 6 a.m. on April 14. Find more information at www.unitedpower.com.
April 1, 2020
Jerry Schwindt, Candidate for Town of Wiggins Board of Trustees
My name is Jerry Schwindt and I am running for a trustee position on the Town of Wiggins board. I’ve been a resident of Wiggins for ten years, current Wiggins homeowner, and Ag businessman/owner for 30 years. I understand and exercise fiscal responsibilities in my business which are no different within any government entities. I’m actively involved within my company’s budget and fiscal procedures, implementing them brings huge challenges, hard decisions that must be made, and handling human emotions that are generated across the spectrum while dealing with these challenges. The Town of Wiggins is currently dealing with real fiscal, infrastructural, and emotional challenges that will affect current residents and future residents fiscally if some difficult yet common sense decisions are not made. I understand the issues when an entity has fiscal obligations and infrastructural requirements to meet and limited resources to accomplish their goals. All potential opportunities for increased revenue sources need to be entertained and scrutinized without jeopardizing the towns integrity and fiscal responsibilities to its citizens. The projects such as the water, sewer, and fiscal issues need individuals who are willing to work together even if they disagree, for the greater good of the citizens they represent. Doing business within the ag sector is a roller coaster ride and I have had to make difficult decisions which can only be made when all information is gathered, analyzed and then direction can be determined without emotions involved. My experience from the business world and serving on church boards would bring additional energy and a different perspective to the trustee board if I’m elected. I am asking for your vote on election day for accountability, integrity, business scars, and a voice of reason to represent the citizens of the Town of Wiggins. Sincerely, Jerry Schwindt
Town of Wiggins Recall Article The Final Word
Submitted by Anna Brooks: Thank you, Trustee Palmer. You have publicly proved our point. You were given the Town of Wiggins Board of Trustee handbook when you were sworn into office. It appears you have not cracked the cover. You have spent over a year pushing for a public presentation of “your” alternative to the water/sewer project currently in place. You: • Reduced the number of Trustee Board meetings by ½ • Attempted to enforce “Special Meetings” without using the protocol described in your handbook. • Repeatedly refused to take The Tour of the current Water/Sewer Project You got your special meeting: March 25th, your presenter gave a very comprehensive, detailed, less expensive alternative to the water/sewer project. He did a wonderful job. However, • He was given an out of date map to work with • Was not aware that we had hired a reputable engineering firm (Didn’t Trustee Musgrave review the expenditures on the project?) • Presented a solution used by Fort Lupton to address excess nitrates and nitrites (brine) in their system. Wiggins does NOT have a brine problem. Your presenter, a citizen of our community, had every right to expect that you provided him with the right materials and accurate information as YOU are a 3 year veteran of the Board of Trustees. You did NOT do your research. You did NOT do your homework. As a result, you put your presenter, members of our Town Staff, our Mayor and our Trustees at risk for no reason at all. You just publicly demonstrated that you still do not understand the issues facing our Town. The positions of Mayor and Trustee are voluntary, even if elected. They are positions of Trust, Commitment and WORK. Even homework. You have proven yourself unaccountable and do not, at this time, warrant the opportunity to represent the Town of Wiggins by holding ANY office.
April 1, 2020
Lost Creek Guide
The Coronavirus Did Not Escape From a Lab. Here’s How We Know.
LiveScience As the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 spreads across the globe, with cases surpassing 284,000 worldwide today (March 20), misinformation is spreading almost as fast. One persistent myth is that this virus, called SARS-CoV-2, was made by scientists and escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak began. A new analysis of SARS-CoV-2 may finally put that latter idea to bed. A group of researchers compared the genome of this novel coronavirus with the seven other coronaviruses known to infect humans: SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2, which can cause severe disease; along with HKU1, NL63, OC43 and 229E, which typically cause just Volunteer workers of Search and Rescue (SAR) with special equipmild symptoms, the ment, disinfect a volunteer while disinfecting police car at Local researchers wrote Police station to prevent the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, in March 17 in the Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, March 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) journal Nature Medicine. “Our analyses clearly show that SARS-CoV-2 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus,” they write in the journal article. Kristian Andersen, an associate professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research, and his colleagues looked at the genetic template for the spike proteins that protrude from the surface of the virus. The coronavirus uses these spikes to grab the outer walls of its host’s cells and then enter those cells. They specifically looked at the gene sequences responsible for two key features of these spike proteins: the grabber, called the receptor-binding domain, that hooks onto host cells; and the so-called cleavage site that allows the virus to open and enter those cells. That analysis showed that the «hook» part of the spike had evolved to target a receptor on the outside of human cells called ACE2, which is involved in blood pressure regulation. It is so effective at attaching to human cells that the researchers said the spike proteins were the result of natural selection and not genetic engineering. Here’s why: SARS-CoV-2 is very closely related to the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which fanned across the globe nearly 20 years ago. Scientists have studied how SARS-CoV differs from SARS-CoV-2 — with several key letter changes in the genetic code. Yet in computer simulations, the mutations in SARS-CoV-2 don’t seem to work very well at helping the virus bind to human cells. If scientists had deliberately engineered this virus, they wouldn’t have chosen mutations that computer models suggest won’t work. But it turns out, nature is smarter than scientists, and the novel coronavirus found a way to mutate that was better — and completely different— from anything scientists could have created, the study found. Another nail in the “escaped from evil lab” theory? The overall molecular structure of this virus is distinct from the known coronaviruses and instead most closely resembles viruses found in bats and pangolins that had been little studied and never known to cause humans any harm. «If someone were seeking to engineer a new coronavirus as a pathogen, they would have constructed it from the backbone of a virus known to cause illness,» according to a statement from Scripps. Where did the virus come from? The research group came up with two possible scenarios for the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. One scenario follows the origin stories for a few other recent coronaviruses that have wreaked havoc in human populations. In that scenario, we contracted the virus directly from an animal — civets in the case of SARS and camels in the case of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the researchers suggest that animal was a bat, which transmitted the virus to another intermediate animal (possibly a pangolin, some scientists have said) that brought the virus to humans. In that possible scenario, the genetic features that make the new coronavirus so effective at infecting human cells (its pathogenic powers) would have been in place before hopping to humans. In the other scenario, those pathogenic features would have evolved only after the virus jumped from its animal host to humans. Some coronaviruses that originated in pangolins have a “hook structure” (that receptor binding domain) similar to that of SARSCoV-2. In that way, a pangolin either directly or indirectly passed its virus onto a human host. Then, once inside a human host, the virus could have evolved to have its other stealth feature — the cleavage site that lets it easily break into human cells. Once it developed that capacity, the researchers said, the coronavirus would be even more capable of spreading between people. All of this technical detail could help scientists forecast the future of this pandemic. If the virus did enter human cells in a pathogenic form, that raises the probability of future outbreaks. The virus could still be circulating in the animal population and might again jump to humans, ready to cause an outbreak. But the chances of such future outbreaks are lower if the virus must first enter the human population and then evolve the pathogenic properties, the researchers said.
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Clerk and Recorder Koppes: Tommy Holton Makes the Ballot
Greeley, March 18, 2020 – Clerk and Recorder Koppes announced today that Republican Tommy Holton has successfully petitioned onto the June Primary ballot for Commissioner District 3. Here are Holton’s numbers: Turned in: 1165 Rejected: 560 Accepted: 605 Candidates who planned to petition onto the primary ballot were allowed to begin collecting signatures on Jan. 21st and required to turn them in by March 17. In all, two candidate turned in a petition in Weld County for the Commissioner District 3, Tommy Holton (District 3) and Lynette Kilpatrick (District 3). The more common way to get on the ballot for the primary is to go through the assembly process, which began with neighborhood caucuses on March 7th.
Tommy Holton with wife Geri and two daughters and some of their grandchildren. Not pictured son Tommy who was dealing with a sick child.
There is also “pickle/pull tabs” available everyday! Please come join us for some fun and socializing!
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Lost Creek Guide
Aims Community College to Resume Classes Online March 30; Student Services Are Still Available
GREELEY, CO – March 22, 2020 – Aims Community College wants to remind students, staff, faculty, and the community that courses will be offered online through the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester and that student services will remain available. Spring break will end with a new beginning Spring Break will come to an end March 29 and courses will transition to alternate delivery next Monday, March 30. Courses that were already taught online will continue on Monday, March 30 to accommodate course changes. A number of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses will adapt to meet the necessary requirements, which instructors will share with out with students. Most courses will use remote learning technology All of the Aims faculty and staff have been working hard to make this transition as positive an experience as possible. There will undoubtedly be more issues to address in the coming weeks, but they will be resolved. Again, CTE courses will adapt to meet the necessary requirements, which instructors will convey to students. Student services are ready to help All student services are available throughout the remainder of the spring semester. Aims’ dedicated and caring staff are prepared to respond and support student needs in a remote and online environment. Student service, engagement, and inclusion departments and programs are currently available in three ways: online Zoom conferencing, phone, and email. For additional information, please contact specific departments by phone or email deanofstudents@aims.edu. Aims President/CEO said, “Administrators, faculty, and staff are feeling many of the same emotions you are experiencing. But, know this: We are all in this together—as an Aims family. While we can’t be together physically right now, we are a strong and resilient Aims community.” For more information continue to access up-to-date information and guidance through Aims’ COVID-19 Updates and Information web page and covid19.acc@aims.edu for your questions. About Aims Community College Aims Community College is one of the most progressive two-year colleges in Colorado. Founded more than 50 years ago in Greeley, Aims has since established locations in Fort Lupton, Loveland and Windsor. Curriculum now includes 4,000 day, evening, weekend and online courses annually in more than 200 degree and certificate programs. Aims Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Aims Community College is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution. www.aims.edu
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April 1, 2020
Westbound I-76 Pavement Work Starts this Spring Near Fort Morgan and Brush
Minor road work begins soon on US 34 in preparation for future pavement rehabilitation FORT MORGAN – Both Interstate 76 and US Highway 34 near Fort Morgan and Brush are set for major pavement rehabilitation work this construction season and next. The Colorado Department of Transportation has canceled both information sessions scheduled for this month in Fort Morgan and Brush. The latest project information is available at https://www.codot.gov/projects/i-76-us-34-fort-morgan-brush-resurfacing. During this time of uncertainty, citizens are encouraged to visit the website or call the hotline at 970-427-4005 with any questions or to reach the project team. Starting this spring, CDOT and contractor partner, Martin Marietta, will begin extensive pavement work on westbound Interstate 76 at two separate work zones near the cities of Fort Morgan and Brush: • I-76 from west of Colorado Highway 144 (mile point 78.2) to east of Barlow Road (MP 82.9) • I-76 near US 6 east of Brush (MP 90.8 to 92.3) This project will repair six bridges on I-76, remove and replace asphalt, upgrade guardrail, and restripe the highway. I-76 will be reduced to one westbound lane through each work zone. The 24/7 single-lane configuration will help expedite construction. Once work is complete in the right lane, traffic will switch onto the new pavement and work will occur in the left lane. Similar repairs are planned for eastbound I-76 starting in late summer. All I-76 work is expected to be complete by the end of 2020. “This project demonstrates our commitment to provide safe highways in northeast Colorado. We’re investing over $20 million on approximately 20 miles of I-76 and US 34. Both corridors are vital to the communities of Fort Morgan and Brush and our agricultural interests here in Colorado”, said Heather Paddock, regional transportation director for Northeast Colorado for CDOT. This project also includes major asphalt pavement rehabilitation along most of US 34 from I-76 to CO 71 south. Starting this spring, the contractor will begin the following minor work in preparation for future resurfacing: • Bridge repairs at three locations • Roadway shoulder stabilization and reinforcement adjacent the Brush Lateral Ditch • Curb ramp upgrades at several intersections in downtown Fort Morgan and Brush Intermittent lane closures are expected on US 34. Temporary sidewalk closures may be necessary in downtown areas, but business access will remain open during construction. Work on US 34 is anticipated to extend into fall 2021. For additional project information, call the project hotline at 970-427-4005, send an email to i76us34@workzone.info or visit the website at https://www.codot.gov/ projects/i-76-us-34-fort-morgan-brush-resurfacing. Text CONSTRUCT to 21000 to sign up for construction alerts. For real-time information regarding traffic impacts on any state highway, motorists can sign up for CDOT email and text alerts by visiting www.codot.gov and clicking on the small envelope icon at the bottom right of the page. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and Facebook (www.facebook.com/coloradodot). REMEMBER: SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones. • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits. • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected. • Watch for workers. Drive with caution. • Don’t change lanes unnecessarily. • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones. • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you. • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones. • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times. • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you. • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so. • Be patient! WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization’s operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely. ABOUT CDOT CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
April 1, 2020
Lost Creek Guide
Call by Call, Epidemiologists Tackle COVID-19
Weld County – Typically, an epidemiologist working for the Weld County Health Department focuses on analyzing health data looking for trends and monitoring influxes in diseases such as rhinovirus and salmonella. But for the past three weeks, they have been knee-deep in COVID-19 investigations. Seven days a week, the department’s three epidemiologists, and one retired doctor donating his time, have been working around the clock conducting investigations and helping in the fight against COVID-19. To date, their efforts have resulted in the investigation of more than 127 cases in Weld County. “Investigating a case is intense and time-consuming,” said Dr. Wallace, Director of the WCDPHE. “Our staff has been, and continues to be, very responsive to this pandemic. We’ve made over 1,000 phone contacts investigating Weld County cases.” The process of investigating a positive COVID-19 case starts with information provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) or a private health care provider. After epidemiologists are made aware of positive or potential positive COVID-19 individuals, they contact the individual and the individual’s health care provider to learn more about the severity of the illness and symptoms. Positive COVID-19 individuals are instructed to self-isolate, meaning stay at home and away from other people, including household members who don’t have symptoms. Then, the real work begins as the epidemiologists conduct a Contact Investigation on that person. This part of the investigation entails reaching out to anyone who has had potential exposure to the virus via the individual who tested positive within the past two to 14 days to see if they’re having symptoms. If the contacts don’t have symptoms, they are monitored to see if symptoms develop. Monitoring activities include check-in calls, taking temperatures twice daily, and recording symptoms, if any. If someone works with high-risk populations, the work facility is contacted, and the epidemiologists notify the facility of a potential COVID-19 exposure. The facility will begin their own investigation at this point. Often, this investigation is in coordination with the Health Department’s. Working with the health care providers of people who test positive, the epidemiologists determine when to release the case from isolation once that case is considered recovered per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Beyond the work of the epidemiologists, the Health Department has a team of nurses, communication staff, data specialists, and other team members focused on this emergency response. They communicate and coordinate with the Weld County Office of Emergency Management, health care providers, the State Health Department, the media, and a variety of municipal and community partners. “I want to thank our epidemiologists, my entire staff at the health department, and all the health care professionals in clinics and hospitals for working together as we continue to do the vital work needed to combat COVID-19” said Wallace. For more information: For general questions about COVID-19 in Colorado, call the State of Colorado CO HELP line at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email at COHELP@RMPDC.org. For factsheets and more, including a daily update of current COVID-19 positive cases in Weld County, visit: www.weldhealth.org. The Health Department updates its COVID-19 positive cases daily by 5:00 PM. Eric Aakko, MS MCHES Division Director Health Education, Communication, and Planning Department of Public Health and Environment 1555 North 17th Ave, Greeley, Colorado 970.400.2380
Online Resources Aid Homebound Alzheimer’s Caregivers
For 332,000 Coloradans affected by Alzheimer’s disease (76,000 living with the disease and 256,000 unpaid caregivers), the coronavirus (COVID-19) has created new challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association can help. While Alzheimer’s Association staff is working from home in accordance with public health guidelines, most of the Association’s services are available online or by telephone. Following are links to programs and services – all offered at no charge – that caregivers may find valuable: Classes and training: training.alz.org Online tools: alz.org/help-support/resources/online-tools Caregivers’ forum and message board: alzconnected.org Your roadmap for approaching Alzheimer’s: alzheimersnavigator.org Alzheimer’s library and resource center: alz.org/help-support/resources/virtual_library Helpline: our free Helpline is staffed 24/7 by trained professionals: 800-272-3900 Alzheimer’s Association The Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter is the premier source of information and support for the more than 76,000 Coloradans with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association offers education, counseling, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at no charge to families. In addition, contributions help fund advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association advocates for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers. For information call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 bilingual Helpline at 800-272-3900, or visit www. alz.org/co. S:\Public Relations and Marketing\Press & Media\Press Releases\2020\38 Ways to Spend Time - 3-2020.docx
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Colorado Top Agricultural Producing Counties
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Lost Creek Guide
April 1, 2020
Beginning Of A Bust: Low Oil Prices Take Economic Toll On Weld County
prices down. Wright said now the virus is pushing them even lower. “That’s taken 10 or more dollars off the price of oil — this fear of most likely slower demand growth than we would otherwise have gotten with positive economic growth in the world,” Wright said. Wright said Liberty and other companies in the oilfield will need to find ways to strengthen customer relationships. If not, they’ll need to look at ways to cut costs to survive the downturn. Colby Edgington, an employee of Westroc, a rig moving company in Milliken, said he’s had to lower his rates in order to stay competitive — a strategy that’s helped in the short term. But a lot of the moves have been to “lay down” rigs, which means retiring them until pricThe outside patio of MI Gallo Giro in Evans sits empty. es come back up and drilling The restaurant has seen fewer customers amid the oil becomes more profitable. price downturn. “We’re crazy busy,” he said. CREDIT MATT BLOOM / KUNC NEWS “We already have three rigs stacked in our yard. There isn’t a lot of hope for the future.” Bernadette Johnson, vice president of strategic analytics for Enverus, an energy industry forecaster based in Denver, said that could mean more layoffs in the months ahead. “You’re going to see growth but we’re not growing as fast,” Johnson said. “If we grow slower, it means we don’t drill as many wells, which means we don’t need as many people out in the field.” Tighter state regulations have also played a part in the slowdown, she said. “I think it’s a smaller factor (than prices),” Johnson said. “But what it does at the end of the day is it introduces uncertainty. So it makes it harder for you to deploy capital.” Meanwhile, state lawmakers are forecasting a drop in severance tax revenue from oil and gas producers. And local governments are increasingly worried about their tax base. Don Warden, Weld County’s director of finance and administration, said everyone is affected by low oil prices. “School districts, fire districts, recreation districts, municipalities as well as the county — we’re all going to be adversely impacted,” Warden said. The sun sets over a drill rig in Weld County. That’s because more than CREDIT MATT BLOOM / KUNC NEWS half of the property taxes collected by the county comes from oil and gas. So, if revenue from the energy sector drops off, other taxpayers could be left to foot the bill if cash reserves dry up, Warden said. “If there’s bonding for construction of say a new high school, say Platte Valley in Kersey, the bonded indebtedness (who pays that) will be impacted,” he said. “Instead of the oil and gas companies paying two thirds of that, as production drops other taxpayers will pick up a bigger share of that such as residential, ag and commercial.” Long story short, even if you aren’t directly affected by an oil and gas bust, you may see a bigger tax bill in the coming years if you live in Weld County. How much bigger depends on how long the downturn lasts, Warden said. “I think when you see oil drop down to the $30s (per barrel) — that’s a bust,” Warden said. “If it stays down for six or eight weeks 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. it won’t be as damaging. If it stays down a couple years it’s going to be very damaging.” The county has been through energy booms and busts before — that’s just how the industry works. Restaurant manager Jose Casillas said he’s seen several of these cycles. “I’ve been here since 2008. I’ve seen it come and go maybe two or three times,” he said. “When it comes it’s amazing. It’s beautiful. But when it’s gone, you know, I see a lot of people struggling. A lot of people who really depend on it.” $1.29 per gallon But this one, he said, feels different. will call or route The county recently declared a “local disaster emergency” due to the public health crisis and looming economic impacts. The declaration unlocks federal financial aid for people and businesses hit hardest by the downturn in the weeks and months ahead.
by MATT BLOOM / KUNC NEWS José Casillas knew something was wrong based on the number of burritos he was selling. As manager of Mi Gallo Giro, a small Mexican restaurant in Evans, he typically filled five big orders a week for oil and gas companies’ safety meetings, making 50 to 100 burritos for each one. But last week, two of his regular customers called to cancel their orders. Another cut their request in half. “What I hear is it’s worse and worse because of the sudden oil drop,” Casillas said. “All we can hope for is another price rise, I guess.” Amid the coronavirus pandemic and disputes between the A worker walks into the “dog house” for a break on a work site world’s biggest supplinorth of Denver. CREDIT MATT BLOOM / KUNC NEWS ers, the price per barrel of U.S. oil has plunged to around $25 — its lowest level in nearly two decades. The drop has sent a wave of concern through Weld County, where most of the state’s active drill rigs are located and where the industry pumps billions into the local economy each year. The number of rigs operating in the Denver-Julesburg basin has fallen around 20% lower than what it was this time last year, according to industry data. Major operators have slashed their spending forecasts and begun laying off workers. Meanwhile, small businesses that depend on the steady stream of drilling, from welders to restaurants, have started slowing down. Casillas said he’s now reassessing how much meat, produce and tortillas to buy from suppliers and whether he needs to lay off some of his kitchen staff. It’s the type of situation a lot of companies find themselves in right now. “The industry’s really become a victim of its own success,” said Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Oilfield Services, a Denver-based fracking company. “We can produce more oil and gas now spending less money and frankly with less workers.” Even before COVID-19 arrived on the international stage, U.S. oil production had grown so much over the past several years, it created a glut in the market and pushed
$15.00
$3,535.00 $2,183.00
April 1, 2020
How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
Lost Creek Guide
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Know How it Spreads
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Take steps to protect yourself
Clean your hands often Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take steps to protect others
Stay home if you’re sick Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick. If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and disinfect
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. To disinfect: Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Options include: Diluting your household bleach. To make a bleach solution, mix: 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Alcohol solutions. Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol. Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens pdf icon[7 pages]external icon claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
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Race to Build Temporary Hospitals Nationwide as Coronavirus Spreads
By Bryan Llenas, Lucas Tomlinson | Fox News New York City hopes to create temporary hospitals ahead of COVID-19 patient surge New York City hopes to convert several buildings into temporary hospitals to handle an expected surge in coronavirus patients; Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas reports. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking at 114 facilities in all 50 states to convert into potential temporary hospitals in an effort to increase the nation’s hospital capacity in preparation for an expected influx of hundreds of thousands of coronavirus patients. Wholesales Prices & No Minimums. Free Shipping On $75+ Orders! “I would think that the 114 is going to keep going up by 20 or 30 every single day,” said Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, the commanding genLt. Gen. Todd Semonite, USACE Commanding General and 54th U.S. Army Chief of Engineers, surveys the Jacob Javits Convention Center eral of the Army in New York City, where USACE will adapt 160,000 square feet of Corps of Engispace over multiple floors to provide 1,000 beds for non-COVID-19 neers. patients. #COVID19 Semonite said Friday afternoon he is particularly “concerned” about the virus rapidly spreading to other areas of the country as the number of infections in the United States topped 100,000 Friday. He also announced he is planning to convert Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center into a makeshift hospital to treat 3,000 Covid-19 patients by April 24, at a cost of $75 million. The coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which is working against the clock to convert existing convention centers, dorms, and hotels into functioning hospitals for both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients before the outbreak reaches its peak and overwhelms hospitals nationwide. “We’ve never done a pandemic capability. We don’t have on the shelf designs on how to modify hotels into COVID centers,” Semonite told reporters at a Pentagon news conference Friday. “We are cutting contracts every night to be able to get contractors to be able to come to facilities.”
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Lost Creek Guide
April 1, 2020
United Power’s Complaint Against Wholesale Power Supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Can Proceed Following Ruling by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Brighton, CO – A ruling by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Friday was a mixed bag for Tri-State Generation and Transmission, but a potential win for United Power and its members. The ruling stated that a complaint filed by United Power at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) can proceed. The complaint, filed in November of 2019, asks the PUC to help determine “reasonable and non-discriminatory exit charges” for United Power to leave its contract with Tri-State. In addition, FERC concluded that Tri-State has been FERC regulated since September 3, 2019 when Tri-State added their first non-utility member. However, the ruling also stated, should the Colorado PUC or its courts find the addition of this non-utility member a violation of State law, FERC could reconsider this ruling. “United Power has been very methodical in our approach to determining our course forward in regard to wholesale power,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Chief Energy Resource Officer. “We are weighing the cost and mix of power we receive from Tri-State with other options in the energy marketplace, and we need the PUC to provide an accurate and fair exit charge so we can make good decisions for our Cooperative’s future on behalf of our membership.” United Power is Tri-State’s largest wholesale power purchaser, comprising approximately 16% of their total energy sales. Under the current Tri-State contract, United Power has struggled to exercise more control over their costs of wholesale power, and the limits in place for the integration of more renewable energy resources. In filing the complaint with the PUC, United Power is hoping to finally determine an accurate and reasonable cost to exit their power contract, should they choose to do so. “From the beginning, United Power has tried to partner with Tri-State by providing several suggested paths for these discussions to continue in a productive manner. However, we have not been able to agree on a method suitable to both parties,” stated Bryant Robbins, CEO. “Simply put, United Power wants to lower costs to our members and integrate more local renewable resources into our power mix. One option to achieve this goal is through exiting our contract with Tri-State. We hope a ruling by the PUC will help us clarify the costs and provide an exit pricing methodology that is both clear and fair to our membership and the membership of Tri-State.” Considering the FERC ruling, on March 23, 2020, United Power filed a request for a status conference with the PUC and plans to move forward in obtaining the information requested. “As a cooperative we have a duty to advocate on behalf of our local membership,” stated Robbins. “We will continue to work through the PUC to get an accurate and fair exit price so we can better understand our path forward.” United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado’s north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop.
HPLD Closed and All Library Events Cancelled Beginning March 14, 2020
(Greeley – March, 2020) – Due to the ongoing threat of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to combat its spread, the High Plains Library District will be closed to the public and cancelling library programs, events, classes and meetings beginning March 14. The High Plains Library District Board of Trustees will convene on Monday, March 16, to determine further action. For the most up to date information, please visit www.mylibrary.us.
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April 1, 2020
Lost Creek Guide
A Fund is Launching for Weld County COVID-19 Relief by United Way of Weld County and the Weld Community Foundation
The Weld Recovers Fund: COVID-19 Relief is being introduced by the United Way of Weld County (UWWC) and the Weld Community Foundation. This fund is designed to provide financial resources to charitable organizations in the Weld County area that are involved in supporting populations that have been affected by the outbreak. They are encouraging institutions, companies and other funders to contribute to the fund. 100% of the donations received will be distributed quickly on decisions made from a committee composed of board members and volunteers from UWWC and the Weld Community Foundation, and a final report of the distributions will be available on the two agencies’ websites after the funds have been expended. Details on how nonprofits might request and access general resources from the Weld Recovers Fund will be announced at a later date, once donations have begun to accumulate in the fund. The Foundation and UWWC teamed together in response for the 2013 flood relief effort, which raised more than $2 million. Jeannine Truswell, President and CEO of UWWC stated, “We are proud to form this partnership again to best meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents. It is an example of collaboration that maximizes resources and helps ensure we do not duplicate our response.” Rand Morgan, President and CEO of the Weld Community Foundation also added, “The 2013 flood recovery fund campaign was such a successful collaboration of the United Way, the Community Foundation and characteristically generous Weld County donors. Our two organizations’ boards of directors felt it was important to reprise that effort in this uniquely critical situation. We encourage donors to come together once again as a community, neighbor helping neighbor, to support the untiring work being done by nonprofits who are serving some of our most vulnerable populations during this crisis in their lives.” The Weld Community Foundation is giving an initial donation of $75,000 to begin the Weld Recovers Fund. Donate online at: weldcommunityfoundation.org or https://www.unitedway-weld.org/covid-19/ or Send a check to: United Way of Weld County Attn: Weld Recovers Fund 814 9th Street Greeley, Colorado 80632 or Weld Community Foundation Attn: Weld Recovers Fund 2425 35th Avenue, Suite 201 Greeley, Colorado 80634 About United Way of Weld County The mission of the United Way of Weld County (UWWC) is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. UWWC assists residents in the areas of Early Childhood Development, Youth Success, Household Stability, Older Adults/Healthy Aging and Access to Services. Through our community’s willingness to give, advocate and volunteer, UWWC is able to have a positive impact on tens of thousands of lives every year. Thanks to the generosity of the 39 UWWC Cornerstone Partners, they donate all or a portion of their corporate donation to help cover 100 percent of administrative and fundraising costs for the resources under UWWC’s management. For more information, visit the United Way of Weld County website at www.unitedway-weld.org. About Weld Community Foundation The Weld Community Foundation is a nonprofit, community corporation created by and for the people of Weld County in 1997, serving in this community for more than 23 years. Its mission is to strengthen the bonds of our community through engaged philanthropy. For updates and stories follow the Weld Community Foundation on Facebook and Instagram or go to weldcommunityfoundation.org.
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Physical Distancing Critical as COVID-19 Spreads Across Weld County
Weld County – As Weld County continues to see widespread increase in COVID-19 positive cases, the Health Department is once again stressing the importance of preventative measures to slow and reduce the spread of the virus. The department, which strives to maintain patient privacy, especially for our smaller communities, has decided to share a map showing where positive cases are generally located throughout the county. “Originally, we were hoping people would take the preventative measures seriously and understand that across the state COVID-19 is here, and we all need to do our part to fight the virus,” said Dr. Mark Wallace, MD MPH, Executive Director for the Health Department. “Perhaps if people can visually see where Weld County’s cases are the reality of our situation will become more apparent. However, we want to stress that if a community is not represented on the map, it doesn’t mean there are no cases of COVID-19 there. It means, we aren’t aware of any positive test results, but people can carry the virus and not be symptomatic. We should assume the virus is everywhere in Weld County and, frankly, Colorado.” Currently, there are 104 positive cases and 4 deaths. All 4 deaths were adults in their 70s, and they had underlying health issues. People at higher risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19 are those over 60 years old and those with chronic health conditions. However, Weld County has positive cases in every age group, from adolescents to seniors. “This really comes down to personal responsibility and everyone stepping up in their role to do what they can to prevent the spread of this virus,” said Wallace. “If, as a community, people limit their travel and their exposure to others, we will see our case numbers start to decline.” Wallace continues to stress physical distancing—also called social distancing—as the best way to slow the spread of this highly contagious virus. “Physical distancing does not mean you can’t be social—we suggest people stay connected via mobile phones, social media, and video chat platforms,” said Wallace. Physical distancing means people stay at least 6 feet away from each other, and all “events” of 10 people or more are cancelled. An “event” is a gathering for social or recreational activities, or a location that engages in or allows for such activities. A workplace, grocery store, hardware store, and hospitals and medical clinics are exempt. Today, Governor Polis also enacted a “stay-at-home” order, effective until at least April 11, which further limits the amount of physical contact people may have. --More-www.weldhealth.org DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT 1555 North 17th Avenue Greeley, CO 80631 Below are physical distancing suggestions: • Use a grocery delivery or pick-up service. All major stores now have this service. • Use meal delivery services. Order your food to-go from local restaurants. Please tip generously to support our local delivery staff. • Limit all nonessential travel. • Work from home, if this is a viable option for your employer. Some businesses are successfully adapting to telework. • It’s encouraged to go outdoors for fresh air and exercise. The point is not to remain indoors, but to avoid being within 6 feet of other people. “We’re in this together and we see people and businesses innovating daily to help prevent spread. We challenge everyone to pitch in to help us beat COVID-19,” said Wallace. For more information: For questions about COVID-19, call the state of Colorado CO HELP line at 303-3891687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email at COHELP@RMPDC.org. To see the map, and the Weld County daily listing of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths, visit: www.weldhealth.org.
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Lost Creek Guide
April 1, 2020
US was More Prepared for Pandemic than any Other Country, Johns Hopkins Study Found
By Gregg Re | Fox News The United States was ranked the best-prepared country in the world to handle a pandemic in late 2019 by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security (JHCHS) -- an assessment seemingly at odds with claims by Democrats that the Trump administration left the country vulnerable to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The Global Health Security Index was was “developed with guidance from an international panel of experts from 13 countries, with research by the Economist Intelligence Unit,” The Washington Post reported last year. “More than 100 researchers spent a year collecting and validating publicly available data.” At the same time, the paper noted that the U.S. score was still not perfect, and that «factors driving down the U.S. score include the risks of social unrest and terrorism, and low public confidence in government.» President Trump’s campaign has argued in recent days that misinformation may be one of the leading causes of that lack of confidence. For example, Trump’s team has pointed to claims by presidential contender Joe Biden that “no one on the National Security Council staff was put in charge” of pandemic preparedness, based on a report that in May 2018, thenNational Security Adviser John Bolton eliminated the NSC’s Office of Global Health Security and Biodefense in a reorganization effort. Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer reportedly was ousted as senior director, and no replacement was named. But, FactCheck.org has determined that the matter amounted People work in a lab that President Donald Trump watched during his to a reorganization, meeting about the coronavirus at the Centers for Disease Control and and that “some Prevention, Friday, March 6, 2020 in Atlanta. team members [of (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) the NSC pandemic office] were shifted to other groups, and others took over some of [the top official’s] duties.” The White House says the NSC remains involved in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. A senior administration official said earlier this month that the NSC’s global health security directorate was absorbed into another division where similar responsibilities still exist, but under different titles. The work of coordinating policy and making sure that decisions made by Trump’s coronavirus task force are implemented is still the job of the NSC. Separately, the Biden team has repeatedly argued that the president once referred to coronavirus as a “hoax.” That claim has been refuted by numerous fact-checkers, including the Post’s, which found that Trump was clearly referring to Democrats’ efforts to blame him for the pandemic, not the virus itself. Additionally, numerous Democrats, including Biden, have falsely claimed that the president cut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) budget. The Associated Press has noted that those claims “distort” the facts. In the middle the pandemic, you called Coronavirus the “swine flu,” opposed travel restrictions from global epicenters that experts have credited as helpful, and parroted the CCP’s ‘bigotry’ line on Beijing culpability. https://twitter.com/joebiden/status/1242240964288286721 … Trump’s budgets have proposed cuts to public health, only to be overruled by Congress, where there’s strong bipartisan support for agencies such as the CDC and NIH. Instead, financing has increased. Indeed, the money that government disease detectives first tapped to fight the latest outbreak was a congressional fund created for health emergencies. Some public health experts say a bigger concern than White House budgets is the steady erosion of a CDC grant program for state and local public health emergency preparedness — the front lines in detecting and battling new disease. But that decline was set in motion by a congressional budget measure that predates Trump. “The CDC’s response has been excellent, as it has been in the past,” said John Auerbach, president of the nonpartisan Trust for America’s Health, which works with government at all levels to improve the nation’s response to high-risk health crises. Some Democrats have
charged that Trump decimated the nation’s public health leadership, but Auerbach said CDC’s top scientific ranks have remained stable during the past three years. Nevertheless, misleading reports about the Trump campaign’s pandemic response efforts have continued to spread. A recent report by Reuters that the U.S. had recently terminated a CDC position in China was widely cited by Democrats and reporters as evidence of a lack of preparedness, and formed the basis for a reporter’s question at a recent White House coronavirus briefing. But, the article itself made clear that experts didn›t think the move had anything to do with the spread of coronavirus in the United States. «One disease expert told Reuters he was skeptical that the U.S. resident adviser would have been able to get earlier or better information to the Trump administration, given the Chinese government’s suppression of information,» the outlet noted. “In the end, based on circumstances in China, it probably wouldn’t have made a big difference,” former CDC epidemiologist and Emory University professor Scott McNabb told Reuters. ‘Fox News @ Night’ anchor Shannon Bream delivers a 2020 update in 60 seconds on the biggest political stories. “The problem was how the Chinese handled it,” McNabb continued. “What should have changed was the Chinese should have acknowledged it earlier and didn’t.” Regardless, some lawmakers are pushing for more action out of an abundance of caution. Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., and Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, have introduced a bill that would require future administrations to have experts always in place to prepare for new pandemics. “Two years ago, the administration dismantled the apparatus that had been put in place five years before in the face of the Ebola crisis,” Connolly said. “I think, in retrospect, that was an unwise move. This bill would restore that and institutionalize it.” Connolly said the bill is not meant to be critical of the Trump administration. He said it’s a recognition that Trump had to name a coronavirus responder just like Obama had to name one for Ebola in 2014. “We can’t go from pandemic to pandemic,” Connolly said. The House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 4 passed the measure, which is cosponsored by 37 Democrats and five Republicans. Fox News’ Andrew O’Reilly and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
April 1, 2020
Lost Creek Guide
Trump Claims There’s ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ as White House Pitches $6T Coronavirus Stimulus Package Democrats and Republicans battle over contents of stimulus bill
By Gregg Re | Fox News Lawmakers close in on coronavirus stimulus deal; reaction and analysis on ‘The Five.’ Saying the country was nearing the “the end of our historic battle” with “the invisible enemy” of coronavirus, President Trump on Tuesday evening emphasized his desire for the country to reopen for business by Easter -- as his top economic adviser said Congress is “getting closer and closer” to passing an unprecedented fiscal stimulus package. Speaking at Tuesday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing, Director of the United States National Economic Council Larry Kudlow specifically said the new coronavirus bill working its way through Democrat-driven congressional gridlock would total $6 trillion: $4 trillion in liquidity from the Federal Reserve, and $2 trillion in new money. Typical annual appropriations from Congress in a given fiscal year are around $1.2-4 trillion, and total expenditures roughly $4.3 trillion. “I said earlier today that I hope we can do this by Easter,” Trump said in the White House briefing room, referring to his comments at a Fox News virtual town hall that social distancing restrictions could soon be eased. “I think that would be a great thing for our country, and we’re all working very hard to make that a reality. ... Easter is a very special day for many reasons.” “This package will be the single largest main street assistance program in the history of the United States,” Kudlow said, adding that negotiations would continue into the evening but that a vote is expected very soon. Also at the briefing, both Vice President Mike Pence and Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, remarked that anyone who has left New York City in recent days may have been exposed to coronavirus, and should self-quarantine for 14 days regardless of where they are now. “As we near the end of our historic battle with the invisible enemy.. Going on for a while.. But we win.. Easter is our timeline..”(From dark to light.. April 1-10..) US President Donald Trump Pence also said that 7.6 million N95 masks and 4 million surgical masks were being provided to states by FEMA. The agency told Fox News that at the last minute, it was able to procure coronavirus tests kits from the private market and did not need to invoke the “prioritization” clause of the Defense Production Act. “We should never be reliant on a foreign country for the means of our own survival,” Trump said, adding that coronavirus has shown “how critical it is to have strong borders and a robust manufacturing sector.” As his approval numbers hit their highest point ever, with 60 percent of Americans approving of his coronavirus response efforts, Trump went on to tout the impact of the expected congressional stimulus package as a good sign for the nation’s financial future. “This package will be the single largest main street assistance program in the history of the United States.”— White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow “The Dow surged over 2,100 points,” Trump said. “That’s the all-time record in the history of the exchange.” The Dow Jones Industrial Average had its best day since 1933. Investors released some frustration that had pent up over days of watching Democrats repeatedly block GOP stimulus efforts, as Democrats sought to add measures to restrict airlines’ carbon emissions, pay off billions in student loan debt, encourage federal agencies to employ “minority banks,” bailout the U.S. Postal Service, and even fund New York City’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The president, who tweeted Sunday that “WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF,” declared at the Fox News virtual town hall that “would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter.” Pressed by Fox News’ John Roberts on the timeline, Trump said at the briefing: “We’ll be looking at a lot of things -- we’ll also be looking at very large portions of our country, but I’ll be guided very much by Dr. [Anthony] Fauci, and by Deborah [Birx].” Fauci, the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases whose absence from recent coronavirus briefings triggered a wave of speculation in the media, said the timeline was still “flexible.” On Sunday, Fauci rejected attempts by journalists to drive a wedge between himself and the president. “The president was trying to bring hope to the people. I think there’s this issue of [the media] trying to separate the two of us. There isn’t fundamentally a difference there,” Fauci said. Democrats, meanwhile, have reacted furiously to Trump’s new timeline, with Hillary Clinton suggesting people would “needlessly die,” and Joe Biden accusing Trump of spreading “misinformation.” “This a--hole and his rich friends are too stupid to get that we can only get through this together,” wrote former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau. “Everyone is at risk from the virus. Everyone suffers when there aren’t enough hospital beds. Everyone struggles when millions are too sick to work.” Fellow Obama communications alum Tommy Vietor, meanwhile, deleted a tweet lamenting that he was reduced to drinking red wine in the shower during the economic shutdown. Fox News’ Andrew O’Reilly, John Roberts, and Allie Raffa contributed to this report, as well as The Associated Press.
Things to Remember
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It is normal to be scared, distressed or angry when you hear about a disease outbreak, even when you are at a low risk of getting sick. Be careful not to turn fear and anger towards people who have become sick. Ask yourself: • Would you think or do the same thing if this was a different infectious disease, like the flu? • Does what I’m doing make people safer or does it create more fear or harm? The risk of COVID-19 is not at all connected with race, ethnicity, or nationality. Blaming others will not help fight the illness. Seeking and sharing accurate information will. Recognize signs of stress in yourself. Identify what you are afraid of. Figure out if what you fear is something that you can address right now. If not, know what activities help you release energy from stress and fear, such as physical activity, listening to music, or talking with someone you trust. Do something that puts you in a positive mood. Facts for Coloradans Spanish | Simplified Chinese | Vietnamese COVID-19 Reducing Fear and Taking Care of Yourself Spanish | Simplified Chinese | Vietnamese How COVID-19 spreads The disease most likely spreads the same way as similar respiratory illnesses. • Person-to-person contact: o To become sick, you have to be exposed to the virus. CDC defines exposure as being within 6 feet (2 meters) of someone with a confirmed infection for a prolonged period of time. o Exposure can occur through respiratory droplets -- when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and other respiratory viruses spread. • Infected surfaces or objects: o It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly your eyes. • For these reasons, people at increased risk of infection are: o People who have been to areas where widespread community transmission is occurring. o People who had direct close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Symptoms and severity • Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. • Illness can be severe and require hospitalization, but most individuals recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids, and taking pain and fever-reducing medications. Higher-risk people • Certain people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including: o Older people (over age 60), especially those over 80. o People who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease, or diabetes. o Older people with chronic medical conditions are at the highest risk. • People at higher risk should take action now to be prepared for this virus if there is an outbreak in their community. CDC has the information you need to prepare. • Everyone’s daily preventive actions are important in reducing spread to people who may experience more severe illness. CDC: If You Are at Higher Risk If you are sick It is important to call ahead before going to see a doctor or emergency room to prevent the spread of illness. Tell them your symptoms and that you suspect you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or had recent travel to a place that is experiencing community spread.
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Lost Creek Guide
April 1, 2020
6 Ways Congress’ $2 trillion Aid Package Will Help Coloradans Weather Coronavirus From one-time payments to student-loan help and the ability to take money out of retirement accounts without penalties, here’s how the measure will affect you
by Jesse Paul@jesseapaul, The Colorado Sun — jesse@coloradosun.com The 880-page stimulus bill, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump, includes at least $2.2 billion for the state and for local governments, as well as funds to directly help people in Colorado. Thousands are already out of work in the state and, with new restrictions on people’s movement going into effect on Thursday, the economic damage is likely to worsen dramatically. The aid package will send one-time assistance checks in the mail to many Coloradans, while others will be able to secure larger weekly unemployment checks. There is also help in the measure for people with student-loan debt and mortgages, as well as provisions to help small businesses keep their doors open and employees on the payroll. “This bill is far from perfect,” U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat from Lafayette, said on The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment office in the House floor Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood on March 21, 2020. Friday. “But let us (Eric Lubbers, The Colorado Sun) be clear about one thing: The American people need relief now.” U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Colorado Republican, hopes the legislation will help Coloradans reduce the economic anxiety related to public health orders keeping people away from work to slow the spread of the virus. “If you are a business owner or you’re an employee and you don’t know how you are going to get through next week, how you’re going to pay rent, this helps provide that assurance that help is on the way,” he told The Colorado Sun in an interview. Here’s a look at six big ways the legislative package will directly help Coloradans and how you can cash in on those benefits soon: 1. Many Coloradans will get a check from the government Many Coloradans will receive a sizable, one-time check in the mail (or have money deposited directly into their bank account) from the federal government in the coming weeks. There’s not an exact date set yet, but the hope is for the money to land before the end of April. Individuals who make up to $99,000 in adjusted gross income (the amount you make minus specific tax deductions) will receive up to $1,200 in a direct cash payment. The amount will be lower for unmarried people who make more than $75,000 in adjusted gross income but don’t hit the $99,000 cap. Any head of a household who makes up to $112,500 in adjusted gross income will be eligible for a full $1,200 payment. Married couples who make $150,000 or less combined will get $2,400 and an additional $500 for each child under 17. “If you had a family of four with an adjusted gross income of $140,000, they’d receive $3,400. That is a huge help,” Gardner said. Married couples who make more than $150,000 but have no children will receive less money. If they make more than $198,000 they will receive no money. For married couples with children, the cap to receive funds is $218,000. (The Washington Post created a calculator so you can figure out how much you will receive.) If you’re trying to figure out how much your adjusted gross income is, check line 8b on your 1040 federal tax return from 2019. The stimulus money is not taxable and your eligi-
bility is determined by your 2019 tax year adjusted gross income. Checks will be mailed to people unless they get their tax refunds through direct deposit, in which case those eligible will receive the money directly in their bank accounts. If you are claimed as a dependent on someone’s tax return — i.e. you’re a college student whose expenses are paid for at least in half by your parents — you won’t be eligible. “I actually think we are going to look back and think we should have sent people larger checks,” said Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, adding that the money is especially crucial to people who don’t normally qualify for unemployment benefits. Some critics have said the one-time payments aren’t enough and that more should be done. “This pandemic will cost millions of lives and plunge our nation into an even deeper recession unless we take bold action now. That requires far more than a $1,200 check,” said Andrew Romanoff, a 2020 Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. Bennet held a telephone town hall on Friday in which a woman said the $1,200 payment wouldn’t even be enough to cover her mortMoxi Theater owner Ely Corliss sits on the stage of the gage. downtown Greeley nightclub moments after he learned 2. If you lost your job, your Gov. Polis had shut down all in-person drinking and dining unemployment payments and gatherings of more than 10 people for a month to try will be higher and slow the spread of the coronavirus in Colorado. Colorado’s unemployment (Valerie Vampola, Special to The Colorado Sun) benefits program allows people to be paid up to $618 but no less than $25 per week ” based roughly on the wages they earned in the prior 18 months. The stimulus bill gives Colorado and every other U.S. state enough money to pay people whose unemployment claims are accepted an additional $600 per week for four months. That’s on top of the state benefits. This is also in addition to the stimulus checks. The idea is that since people may be unlikely to find work during the pandemic, the money will hold them over until the virus is more under control. The bill also will provide money for an extra 13 weeks of unemployment payments on top of what someone would normally get from the state. 3. If you’re a self-employed or gig economy worker, you’re now covered Colorado’s unemployment system doesn’t provide help to people who are self-employed or work in the gig economy — i.e. Uber and Lyft drivers — because they don’t pay into the state’s unemployment system. Bennet said those people are being “hammered” by the crisis. The stimulus bill will create a new federal initiative — the temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program — specifically to aid those people. The amount they will be given will depend on a formula from the U.S. Department of Labor. Gig and self-employed workers will also be eligible for the extra $600 per week payments for the same four months the payments are being given to people who file for unemployment through state-level programs. Again, that’s on top of what they get from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. The details of this program haven’t been ironed out yet and it will be up to the Trump administration to create a template for states to roll it out. It’s not clear when it will be up and running. And Gardner admits that will be a tall order. “They have a heavy, heavy burden to get these programs established, put up and running,” he said. Cont on Page 16, See 6 Ways
April 1, 2020
Page 15
Lost Creek Guide
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Lost Creek Guide
April 1, 2020
6 Ways Congress’ $2 trillion Aid Package Will Help Coloradans Weather Coronavirus From one-time payments to student-loan help and the ability to take money out of retirement accounts without penalties, here’s how the measure will affect you
Cont. from Page 14 4. You can take money out of your retirement accounts without penalty The aid package has changed rules around retirement plans to give people more flexibility to manage those funds and also to pull money out if they need to because of the pandemic. For retirees, they don’t have to take a minimum required distribution out of their 401(k) accounts in the 2020 calendar year. This will allow them to wait for stocks that may have dropped dramatically in value to rise again in the coming months. “We actually heard from a lot of Coloradans on this,” Gardner said. One Fort Collins man had much of his retirement stock in a Colorado company he used to work for. The stock has lost half its value since January, he told Gardner. People who need emergency funds can also take out up to $100,000 from their IRA (individual retirement account) or 401(k) without the 10% penalty that’s normally applied. The money can be withdrawn only for needs related to the outbreak. Congress has also expanded the ability A sign over Colorado 135 at the county line, affirmed the advisory, for people to take a but said the county will reopen to tourism on April 8, 2020. loan out of their re(Dean Krakel, Special to The Colorado Sun) tirement accounts. Normally they are limited to taking out only half, but under the relief bill they can take a loan of up to $100,000, no matter how much is in the account. New charitable deductions are also opened up by the policy for those who want to help their communities during the outbreak. 5. If you can’t make your student-loan or mortgage payments, that’s OK For anyone with a student loan through the federal government, their payments are suspended until Sept. 30. That’s in addition to a waiver on interest for the next six months. The bill also allows employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax free toward their workers’ student loans in 2020. People with mortgages backed or owned by the federal government — think Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — have up to two months to delay making payments with the option of adding on four additional, 30-day deferrals if needed. There is also provision preventing any landlord who has a federally backed or owned mortgage from evicting their tenants for non-payment of rent for 120 days. They also may not add penalties or late fees to tenants’ bills. Colorado health officials on March 15, 2019, advised people who live in four mountain counties, including Gunnison County, to stay away from other people because of high rates of infection by the new coronavirus,. 6. If you’re a small business owner, there’s help on the way So many Coloradans have lost their jobs because their employers have been shut down
because of the virus. Unable to generate revenue, those businesses are unable to pay their employees. The stimulus bill aims to stem the hemorrhaging jobs by offering at least $350 billion in Small Business Administration loans to help employers cover things like payroll, rent, debt and mortgage payments. The loans are forgivable as long as a company doesn’t cut their staff and as long as they keep paying their staff at least 75% of what their salaries were. Gardner is hopeful that businesses will be able to rehire workers they laid off and potentially keep their doors open through the crisis. That will be critical for when the situation is under control because the economy will need to rebound quickly. “To these restaurants that had to go through so much, had to let people go, because of COVID-19, this is a huge, huge help to them,” Gardner said. Eligible businesses, generally speaking, include those with 500 or fewer employees. The loans can be up to $10 million. “As we first work to combat the public health emergency at hand, it’s important to keep families, businesses and the economy operating as normally as possible,” U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, an Arvada Democrat, said in a statement. The stimulus legislation also covers six months of loan payments for businesses that already have micro loans from the SBA. But, that’s not all … Colorado government entities will directly get $2.23 billion from the bill, according to estimates from Federal A worker at a coronavirus drive-up testing site in Montrose. (Handout) Funds Information for States. The state’s tribal governments will receive their own allocation. State share: $1.2 billion Local share: $1 billion Other components of the federal bill will funnel money to Colorado’s colleges, school districts, health departments, transit systems and more, adding to the state’s total. And there is a lot of money there for things like remote learning, the National Guard, food-assistance programs and hospitals. Also in the bill are provisions that push back the deadline for people to update their identification cards to comply with “Real ID” standards until 2021. Menstrual products are also now eligible for reimbursement from health savings accounts. Staff writer John Frank contributed to this report.
MAP: Where Colorado’s Coronavirus Cases Have Been Identified
The first two coronavirus cases in the state were announced on Thursday, March 5, 2020–+ The Colorado Sun is tracking cases of the new coronavirus in Colorado in an effort to ensure citizens know when the virus, known formally as COVID-19, has reached their communities. The first two cases in the state were announced on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Health officials are testing dozens of people in order to track and try to slow the spread of the virus. Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in an effort to best respond to the situation. There are at least 1,736 people who have tested positive for the virus in Colorado or are considered positive cases because they have symptoms of COVID-19 and are a close contact of someone who has the disease. At least 33 of them have died. The Sun will update this map when new information from public health officials is released, typically at 4 p.m. each day. Last updated on March 27, 2020 at 5:21 p.m.