Spotlight on sports betting revenue and addiction is needed
Re: “The gamble on sports betting,” June 21, news story.
Thank you very much for your series on sports gambling in Colorado. I appreciate that you used the word “gambling” rather than “gaming”, which makes it sound like a fun game of hopscotch instead of what it really is.
I wish you had clarified the “hold rate” — the massive amount of money the sports books are taking from those who wager with them. I’m sure itap not the same as profits (they are clearly spending a lot on advertising to hook new wagerers), but according to your graphs, itap over $2.33 billion of Coloradans’ money these companies are “holding.”
There are real risks associated with this explosion of gambling: to athletes, to sports, to our society. I hope sports aren’t ruined by it.
Cathy Storey, Englewood
I appreciated the well-written series on sports betting. When Gov. John Hickenlooper’s bold state water plan came out in 2015, it lacked a funding element. I was a participant in the very early conversations about a funding source. Several of us advocated for sports betting.
We had the lottery and casino gambling successfully financing state and local parks and historic preservation projects, respectively. Why not earmark gambling dollars for the critical issue of water?
However, I now harbor some regret. The money raised from sports betting is paltry ($124 million as reported) compared to the overwhelming need for better-financed water projects, and the terrible addictive nature of sports betting, as reported by The Post, is very disturbing. I hope the next governor, General Assembly, and other state and local leaders explore a better method to fund water policy and to substantively address this awful addiction.
Sam Mamet, Denver
Inside look at Tina Peters’ release from the clemency board is appreciated
Re: “Polis broke with equal justice to let Tina Peters out early,” June 21 commentary.
Thank you for the forthright commentary by Azra Taslimi and Hannah Seigel Proff, members of the governor’s Clemency Board. Their courageous report answered some sticky questions in my mind as to why Gov. Jared Polis acted in defiance of 12 jurors, numerous appeals, public opinion and 11 members of his own Clemency Board.
As a former member of the Arapahoe Community Corrections Board for 12 years, we wrestled with many of the same considerations reviewing applications for community correction. I surmised at first that Polis was acting in the best interest of Colorado by attempting to win some reprieve from some denial of funds by the federal administration.
I could not believe he was “caving” to the pressure of the president in his pseudo application of the pardon process. The authors have pointed out the inequities of the justice system far better than I can in this writing. However, why did Polis actually grant clemency to a non-contrite Tina Peters, who, upon release, bashed our democratic election system? That question remains.
Philip Arreola, Denver
My fears were reinforced with the article by Azra Taslimi and Hannah Seigel Proff. Thank you. I voted twice and enthusiastically for Polis. However, in the last couple of years I have wondered where he was and what happened to him?
I consider him an intelligent person. When he let this dangerous woman out of jail, I wondered how he had been threatened or, perhaps, bought. Is it his disappointment over not getting his fancy bridge across downtown Denver? I don’t get it. I have credentials of my own and 80 years of life experience behind me. This awful woman is dangerous to our precious and wounded democracy. Is Polis planning to run for president as a Republican? Someone, please, enlighten me.
Karen Baum, Lakewood
I totally agree with Azra Taslimi about Gov. Polis giving Tina Peters clemency. Whatap that all about? Of all the people to forgive, she is not worthy and certainly not sorry about the absolute lies she told and is still telling. What is he thinking, granting her an unwarranted clemency! He’s made a few decisions lately that are questionable in my opinion, like vetoing a limit on credit card fees and a bill that would have provided benefits to firefighters who develop certain cancers not already recognized as occupational hazards. Itap a good thing this is his last term.
Cathi Barnes, Littleton
Solar panels belong in many places, including covering canals
Re: “California might have a solution for its water; clean power needs,” June 23 news story.
I read with great interest the story about California considering covering its irrigation canals with solar panels. They are proposing this for two reasons: one to generate electricity while not taking usable agricultural land out of production, and two to create shade over the water to thereby reduce evaporation and conserve water.
I’d like to take that concept a little farther (and I hope our city council members are reading this). How about for every new sizable parking lot that is built for a project, say the new King Soopers on South Colorado Blvd, a requirement is made to cover that parking with solar panels. This achieves similar results as the California proposal, generating clean electricity and providing a cooling effect by shading the otherwise black, hot asphalt parking lot. I, for one, would seek out businesses that provided shaded parking lots.
Mark Geyer, Denver
The most ironic part about the article on covering irrigation canals with solar panels is that it is a new idea. I am not an agronomist, but it has been apparent to me for years that we are woefully behind the times in our approach to saving water and maximizing the benefit of our abundant natural resource — the sun.
In the same issue of the paper, we saw animals seeking shade in the shadow of structures. We already know some parking lots have provided shade with solar panels, which conceivably could provide energy for charging stations for electric vehicles. Shouldn’t new data centers and large fulfillment centers be required to harness the sun to solve problems?
Candidates for public office, this is a huge issue that is getting lost in all the clamor about gas prices, reflecting pools, etc. Like in California, we in Colorado need to press forward with public/ private partnerships that utilize our abundant sun to save water and power the grid. Imagine all our baking asphalt parking lots shaded and creating electricity at the same time.
A. Lynn Buschhoff, Denver
Don’t accidentally take Vespas off the roads with regulation
Re: “Curbs on motorized vehicles, scooters,” June 24 news story.
Recently, I restored a 1970 Vespa, converted it to electric, and registered it as a low-powered scooter. It’s a wonderful way to get around town. Due to generous low-powered scooter laws in Colorado, I can often beat traffic by driving responsibly in bike lanes (not trails!) and lane filtering. And parking is a breeze!
On June 23rd, Douglas County passed a regulation to attempt to control reckless driving. I agree that irresponsible drivers using high-powered e-bikes and other vehicles dangerously is something we need to rein in. However, this ordinance, as communicated, unnecessarily targets low-powered scooters in ways other counties and sustainable transportation advocates should take note of.
My concern is that low-powered scooters driven according to existing state laws are part of our solution to the Front Range’s growing traffic and environmental problems, not a part of the problem. By lumping low-powered scooters with non-street-legal vehicles and improper driving behavior, we send a concerning message to potential users of alternative transportation.
Education and awareness (as required by current state law) are needed for us to better understand the rights and responsibilities of different forms of transportation. We create confusion with statements on government websites like “under current state law, these vehicles are not street legal” when referring to both off-highway and low-powered scooters.
Colorado is a great place to own a Vespa. I love that when I drive, I always get a smile or a conversation. As quoted in Disney’s Luca: “Vespa è libertà” (Vespa is liberty!).
David Porcaro, Broomfield
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