Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Monday October 12th, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Every week day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. Today, our focus is on the controversy over mask wearing in sports.

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

Today, we take you back to October 12th, 1972 when arguments took place at the US Supreme court in a case with wide-ranging implications for race relations and public education. Denver’s school board had been accused of orchestrating an unofficial system of segregation, which the high court had declared unconstitutional back in 1954. 

Now, our feature story. 

Varying safety restrictions have sown confusion for players in competition and have even moved some soccer clubs to decline to play. 

And nothing has rankled folks quite like a mandatory mask rule for players on the field. The mandate from Boulder County led some teams to decline to travel there.

Boulder has been the flashpoint in Colorado, even though it’s not the only jurisdiction that requires players on the field to be masked. But confusing layers of health restrictions, and an absence of any enforcement, moved a second jurisdiction -- which covers Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, including all of Aurora -- to recently issue a stern reminder to bring teams into compliance.

Colorado Sun reporter Kevin Simpson joins us today to provide some insight.

Kevin, great to have you back. As you know the controversy over mask wearing has affected our routines in a number of ways. Can you explain how the conversation was brought to the soccer field? 

So, why was this such a contentious point?

And how has the controversy played out in Colorado youth leagues?

Thanks for joining us today, Kevin.

The return to play during COVID-19 has had some broad impacts on Colorado youth soccer, including putting a dent into overall participation numbers, said Nate Shotts who leads the umbrella organization for the state’s youth soccer clubs. 

Even the availability of referees has been an issue. 

But kids are playing -- and so far, it appears, without any identified outbreaks.

Thanks for listening. Before we go here are a few stories you should know about today:

Colorado’s biggest casinos are rolling the dice in November, hoping that the state’s roughly 4.1 million voters will approve an initiative that would give a little more than 2,000 residents control of casino bet limits and games. Visit our website to learn more about Amendments 77 and C.

Four years ago a federal judge had blocked an attempt to withdraw protections to rare wolverine found in Colorado, pointing to evidence from government scientists that wolverines were “squarely in the path of climate change."

Dry weather worsens in Colorado; and now 17% of the state is in “exceptional drought”. The drought is happening just a year after most of Colorado was declared drought-free.

To combat coronavirus, Durango’s Fort Lewis College embraces Navajo principle of kinship. It is demonstrated by making decisions to benefit the greater community.

Patrick Neville says he won’t seek Republican leadership role in the Colorado House, after it already appeared the Castle Rock Republican was going to be voted out of his position

Jared Polis says Colorado’s mask mandate will continue into November. The directive is set to expire on Oct. 12, but at a news conference on Friday, the governor said he will keep it going for at least another 30 days.

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. 

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It&rsquo;s Monday October 12th, and we&rsquo;re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Every week day we&rsquo;re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. Today, our focus is on the controversy over mask wearing in sports.
But before we begin, let&rsquo;s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;:
Today, we take you back to October 12th, 1972 when arguments took place at the US Supreme court in a case with wide-ranging implications for race relations and public education. Denver&rsquo;s school board had been accused of orchestrating an unofficial system of segregation, which the high court had declared unconstitutional back in 1954.&nbsp;
Now, our feature story.&nbsp;
Varying safety restrictions have sown confusion for players in competition and have even moved some soccer clubs to decline to play.&nbsp;
And nothing has rankled folks quite like a mandatory mask rule for players on the field. The mandate from Boulder County led some teams to decline to travel there.
Boulder has been the flashpoint in Colorado, even though it&rsquo;s not the only jurisdiction that requires players on the field to be masked. But confusing layers of health restrictions, and an absence of any enforcement, moved a second jurisdiction -- which covers Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, including all of Aurora -- to recently issue a stern reminder to bring teams into compliance.
Colorado Sun reporter Kevin Simpson joins us today to provide some insight.
Kevin, great to have you back. As you know the controversy over mask wearing has affected our routines in a number of ways. Can you explain how the conversation was brought to the soccer field?&nbsp;
So, why was this such a contentious point?
And how has the controversy played out in Colorado youth leagues?
Thanks for joining us today, Kevin.
The return to play during COVID-19 has had some broad impacts on Colorado youth soccer, including putting a dent into overall participation numbers, said Nate Shotts who leads the umbrella organization for the state&rsquo;s youth soccer clubs.&nbsp;
Even the availability of referees has been an issue.&nbsp;
But kids are playing -- and so far, it appears, without any identified outbreaks.
Thanks for listening. Before we go here are a few stories you should know about today:
Colorado&rsquo;s biggest casinos are rolling the dice in November, hoping that the state&rsquo;s roughly 4.1 million voters will approve an initiative that would give a little more than 2,000 residents control of casino bet limits and games. Visit our website to learn more about Amendments 77 and C.
Four years ago a federal judge had blocked an attempt to withdraw protections to rare wolverine found in Colorado, pointing to evidence from government scientists that wolverines were &ldquo;squarely in the path of climate change."
Dry weather worsens in Colorado; and now 17% of the state is in &ldquo;exceptional drought&rdquo;. The drought is happening just a year after most of Colorado was declared drought-free.
To combat coronavirus, Durango&rsquo;s Fort Lewis College embraces Navajo principle of kinship. It is demonstrated by making decisions to benefit the greater community.
Patrick Neville says he won&rsquo;t seek Republican leadership role in the Colorado House, after it already appeared the Castle Rock Republican was going to be voted out of his position
Jared Polis says Colorado&rsquo;s mask mandate will continue into November. The directive is set to expire on Oct. 12, but at a news conference on Friday, the governor said he will keep it going for at least another 30 days.
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>.&nbsp;
The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you&rsquo;ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

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