Update: The latest on COVID-19 in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment acknowledged Friday that in tracking COVID deaths, the data conflates those who died of other causes but had COVID-19 in their systems with those who died due to COVID-19. Though data is still lagging, the clarification lowers the state's official death toll from 1,150 as of Thursday to 878 as of May 9. The state needs “to report to the people of Colorado how many people died of COVID-19. People are not very interested in, nor should they be, how many people died with COVID-19,”  Gov. Jared Polis told reporters Friday.
 

Doing the people’s work when the people can’t be there

Temperature checks. A closed cafeteria. Spaced seating. Lawmakers in masks separated by plexiglass. This may be the new normal at the state Capitol when the legislature reconvenes as soon as May 26.  Historic budget cuts are on the line as lawmakers seek to balance public access with public health and safety. 
 

CPR investigation: How Colorado caught COVID-19

A long read, but a must-read from Colorado Public Radio's Ben Markus: An investigation into Colorado's preparation for COVID-19 from the weeks before the coronavirus reached the state through the first days of response found numerous instances of confusion, complacency and a lack of preparation.
 

The U.S. Supreme Court hears Colorado’s ‘faithless electors’ case

From his Denver office, Attorney General Phil Weiser asked the court to ensure presidential electors vote for the winner of the state's popular vote. Press pool report by Jesse Paul of the Colorado Sun. 
 

Money, social issues look for another path onto Colorado’s 2020 ballot

Closures and social distancing because of the pandemic have complicated gathering signatures for ballot issues. Some are looking for another way to get on the ballot. Saja Hindi from The Denver Post reports.
 

Some bittersweet news: After seven great years, The Indy is going one direction and long-time columnist Mike Littwin is going another. But thankfully for all of us, he's not retiring. This column — his last for The Indy— is also his first for The Colorado Sun.
 

We're proud of the work The Indy has done over the last seven years, but Friday marked our last day as a daily news site. We'll still have plenty for you to read, including more stories from Susan Greene and Tina Griego, and more of their work in partnership with newsrooms that need help telling stories of statewide relevance. Plus, we'll be pointing you to great work from around the state. Our weekly newsletter won't go away, either. 
 

Media: More Colorado news outlets got Facebook money. Here’s what it means for them.

How do you feel about local news outlets getting money from Facebook or Google, and why do you think the Big Tech platforms are giving it to them? Corey Hutchins raises these questions in this week's media column. Plus, layoffs and transitions in newsrooms across the state, reactions to Gov. Jared Polis's lauding of the local press, and headlines from last Sunday's front pages.