PHOTOS: 2020 in Review by Jerilee Bennett
Nearly one-third of my retrospective photos of 2020, were related to COVID-19. Gone was the coverage of all the yearly events that make Colorado Springs unique. Gone was the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Easter egg hunts, Cinco de Mayo, Territory Days, and the Pikes Peak Rodeo, parade and street breakfast. At first I wondered, what are we going to cover if everyone is in their house? But the real big story of year was how we coped with the virus and that's something that will make one of the most unique years in my career. The social unrest after the video of the death of George Floyd tested our city as police and protesters clashed numerous times. And the death of Gannon Stauch, although it seems like it was more a year away, was a very tragic way to start this trying year. But eventually the wildflowers still bloomed, the aspens turned yellow, we didn't have the Ascent, but did have the Pikes Peak Marathon. We didn't have the usual Labor Day Liftoff, but we did still have some pop-up balloon locations instead. And even amidst the pandemic, we were able to open the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, a new city legacy that will entertain visitors for decades to come.
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To keep the residents at Springs Ranch Memory Care Community safe from the COVID-19 virus, their loved ones needed to visit them from the other side of the glass. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jerriann Hance would take all the precautions and come have dinner with her husband, Danny Hance, eveynight. But after guidelines kept families from entering the residence, the center started having family visit times in their sunroom with a window for protection between them. Monday, April 27, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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About 4000 soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, are being tested for COVID-19. The soldiers were being tested before they are deployed to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. Spec. Donovan Havard gets tested with an oral swab by medic Spec. James Reynolds at the Centralized Screening and Testing Center at Evans Army Community Hospital on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Other medics wait for their next soldier to test. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, Gazette)
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The Goodwill Store at 4158 Austin Bluffs Parkway was temporarily closed after three employees tested positive for COVID-19. A crew equipped with electrostatic sprayers was spraying the store with a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant cleaner on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. Eventually, the store reopened and has been open since then. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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The Calvary Fellowship Fountain Valley Church was able to come together for an Easter service, but staying apart with a drive-in church. Pastor John Bornschein delivered his sermon from the open door of a garage to a parking lot of people in their cars on Sunday, April 12, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Paul Holdier was passing out communion to those participating in an Easter service from their cars on Sunday, April 12, 2020.The church is located in Widefield, Colorado near Colorado Springs. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A parade of protesters in vehicles drive past the Colorado State Capitol and like-minded protesters to put pressure on the Governor to end stay-at-home orders in "Operation Gridlock" in Denver on Sunday, April 19, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A parade of protesters in vehicles drive past like-minded protesters to put pressure on the Governor to end stay-at-home orders in "Operation Gridlock" in Denver on Sunday, April 19, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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While “Operation Gridlock” was going on in downtown Denver, a couple of physician’s assistants who live in the neighborhood stood in a crosswalk on Grant Street near the state Capitol on April 19. They said they work in a Denver hospital with COVID-19 patients and wanted to remind the protesters of who is on the frontline fighting the virus. They stood in the crosswalk between red lights for over an hour. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Dr. Michael Wahl (front) and dental assistant Michelle Hallas were getting ready for a dental procedure at West One Family Dental. Because of COVID-19, they are using more protective PPE than what would usually be used by dentists. April 1, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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At the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park, workers decided that passersby could use a little levity in this time of COVID-19. In keeping with the times, their giant dinosaurs are sporting giant masks. We'd like to see your photos showing our community spirit and even some levity during these challenging times with COVID-19. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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No-one could accuse these brothers-in-law of not social distancing. Mike Brown and Johnny Tomczyk said they got these bubble balls as a white elephant present one Christmas and they were kind've bored, so they decided to use them in downtown. They said they were looking for a bubble friendly restaurant door to get takeout on Sunday, March 29, 2020. At Bingo Burger, they were brought menus that they were looking over with Johnny's wife, Teresa Comczyk. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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After reopening Something New to in-person bride fittings, future brides were able to do fittings at the store again. Manager Kristi Gurule and wedding planner Marcia Carroll (right to left) study the hem of the dress while mother-of-the-bride, Ellen Johnson, looks up at her daughter, Savannah Johnson, trying on her dress on Saturday, May 2, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Many weddings had to be canceled and brides and grooms had to opt to a much smaller wedding, often without professional photos. After the lockdown, a few local photographers gave brides and grooms the opportunity of having photos taken. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Celebrating Mother's Day this year was challenging for mothers living in senior living facilities. To keep residents safe, family members were not allowed to have contact with anyone from outside the community. At Bear Creek Assisted & Senior Living, the staff organized a parade for families to be able to celebrate their mothers and grandmothers from a safe distance. Masked mothers lined up on the sidewalk to wave to their family and friends as they passed in the parade on Sunday, May 10, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Air Academy High School were finally able to hold their graduation and took measures to keep it safe. It was the first of five School District 20 graduations that was held Monday, June 22, 2020 at the D-20 Stadium. Graduates were seated between two family or friends and six feet apart from other graduates and their guests in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines. The graduates didn't get to cross the stage to get their diplomas, but stood at their seats when their name was called. Jenna Richards has her name called as her dad, Jeff Richards, leans forward in his seat to capture the moment on his cell phone camera. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Dine Out Downtown, a summer program with expanded outdoor seating for downtown restaurants was a hit with diners on S. Tejon St. Restaurants were hit hard during COVID-19 closures. Since reopening to in-person dining, spacing guidelines have created diminished capacity and the outdoor seating helps the restaurants to accommodate more customers. The program will continue throughout the Summer on Friday and Saturday nights. Tejon Street will be closed between Colorado Avenue and Pikes Peak Avenue during that time. Jennifer Beyer and her dog, Bailey, were eating with friends in downtown on Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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To celebrate his 97th birthday, WWII and Korean War veteran Chet LaSota was surprised by a safe distance birthday parade and a pile of 500 birthday cards sent from all over the world. Several weeks before his birthday, LaSota’s daughter, Sheila McKinney, posted a social media message on nextdoor.com asking for cards for her Dad. LaSota was in the Navy and was sent to Pearl Harbor after the attack and was a mechanic on damaged submarines from Pearl Harbor. The parade consisted of an honor guard from American Legion Post 209, neighbors, friends, and people who saw the social media post. They played taped music of the National Anthem, Anchors Away, and then sang him “Happy Birthday”. After the parade, he spent the next part of his birthday opening his 500 cards. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)tern
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The Broncos cheerleaders were back to perform at a game for the first time in the season. About 5000 fans were allowed to the game, including quite a few cardboard fans that made the trip from South Park. Unfortunately, the cheering didn’t help the Broncos. The Broncos were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-10 at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. South Park is a long running Comedy Central show set in South Park, Colorado. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A family gets their Christmas photo taken with Santa on the other side of the plexiglas at Santa’s Cabin in Old Colorado City on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Santa’s Cabin is open for the first time in five years, but they are still following COVID guidelines. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Before doing a family photo, Kolton Olson reaches out to touch fingers with Santa through the protective barrier at Santa’s Cabin in Old Colorado City on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. After a five year hiatus from Bancroft Park in Colorado City, Santa is back in his historical cabin. For the last five years, Santa has been greeting kids wherever he could find a spot in Old Colorado City businesses while restorations were done on the cabin. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Pharmacist Chris Martin with UCHealth holds the first COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Memorial Administrative Center for UCHealth on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Jeremy Hulsker, right, an RN at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, gives the thumbs up after receiving the first COVID-19 vaccine from Tamera Dunseth-Rosenbaum, Chief Nursing Officer for UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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A protester confronts some of the police waiting outside of the Police Operations Center on Sunday, May 31, 2020. The crowd was protesting the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a policeman. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A crowd of protesters and CSPD officers in riot gear had a standoff for about four hours in front of the Police Operation Center on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A crowd of protesters and CSPD officers in riot gear had a standoff for about four hours in front of the Police Operation Center on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A crowd of protesters and CSPD officers in riot gear had a standoff for about four hours in front of the Police Operation Center on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A tactical vehicle with the Teller County Sheriff's office heads north on Nevada Ave., making sure that the crowds crowds of protesters dispersed on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A protester is arrested at the corner of Costilla Ave. and Nevada Ave. after four hours of standoff in front of the Police Operations Center in the wee hours of the morning on Monday, June 1, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Before the 10:00 curfew, large numbers of protesters showed up to march through the streets of Colorado Springs on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. At one point the crowd stopped at the intersection of Cascade Ave. and Pikes Peak Ave. and laid down in the street for 9 minutes on their stomachs like how George Floyd was positioned when he died. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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There were tense clashes during protests relating to the deaths of George Floyd and De’Von Bailey, but there were times that the protesters and police had moments that gave me hope. After talking down the crowd of hundreds that showed up for a second night of protesting at the CSPD, Sgt. Olav Chaney reasoned and communicated patiently with the crowd until they headed back to City Hall to continue protesting. One of the protesters presented him with flowers before they left. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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For the third night, after protesting most of the day at City Hall and Acacia Park, the crowd marched to the Police Operations Center. Sgt. Olav Chaney and one of the protesters address the crowd. After Chaney spoke to the crowd, answering their questions and listening to their grievances, the crowd left peacefully and marched back up Nevada Ave. on Monday, June 1, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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It was the one year anniversary since De’Von Bailey was shot and killed by a CSPD officer while fleeing a scene. A group of protesters gathered and marched through the Colorado Springs neighborhood of one of the officers and chanted in front of the officer’s home. They were blocking the street and two men in two pickup trucks got into heated arguments with the protesters wouldn’t move. Eventually, the crowds moved and they marched out of the neighborhood. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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On the anniversary of the death of De'Von Bailey, protesters marched through the neighborhood of one of the police officers who shot him. The protesters who were blocking the street and two men in two pickup trucks got into heated arguments when the protesters wouldn’t move and asked the truck owners to take a different route. It didn't go over well for either side. Eventually, the crowds moved and they marched out of the neighborhood. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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On the anniversary of the death of De'Von Bailey, protesters marched through the neighborhood of one of the police officers who shot him. The protesters who were blocking the street and two men in two pickup trucks got into heated arguments when the protesters wouldn’t move and asked the truck owners to take a different route. It didn't go over well for either side. Eventually, the crowds moved and they marched out of the neighborhood. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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One neighbor stood in his driveway of his home with his gun as passing protesters yelled “Hands up, don’t shoot”. Eventually, the crowds moved and they marched out of the neighborhood. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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In the beginning days that Gannon Stauch went missing, the community in his neighborhood vowed to "Leave no stone unturned". The search for the boy intensified over the weekend with searchers using everything from drones to horses to search the area. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A prayer wall is filled with hand-written notes by those attending a vigil for 11-year-old Gannon Stauch who had been missing since for several days. The vigil was held at the Restoration Church in the Lorson Ranch neighborhood, where Stauch lives with his family. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Landen Hiott (center) is comforted by her aunt, Veronica Birkenstock, and Albert Stauch after the announcement that Gannon Stauch's stepmother, Letecia Stauch, was arrested and charged with 1st degree murder of Gannon. Albert Stauch and Landen Hiott are the parents of Gannon Stauch. The investigation into the disappearance of Gannon Stauch, 11, began on Jan. 27, 2020, when the stepmother called 9-1-1 to report him missing in a subdivision near Colorado Springs, Colorado. A shaken El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder (left) had just made the announcement of the arrest. At the time, Gannon's body still hadn't been found, but was later found in Florida. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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The memorial for Gannon Stauch continued to grow at the corner of Fontaine Blvd. and Marksheffel Rd. on Lorson Ranch. The Mile High Head Turners, with both vehicles and motorcycles, held a "Cruise for Gannon" on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects for Gannon's family and support them in their wait to find Gannon. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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The Wild Horse Fire started on the west side of Hwy. 115 and shut down the highway on Sunday, October 11, 2020. The fire jumped the highway and started burning on Ft. Carson. There were red flag warnings on Sunday with 40-50 mph at the time of the fire. There were about 100 firefighters from15 different agencies dispatched to the fire and no structures were lost. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A firefighter knocks down hot spots underneath tall charred pine trees along Hwy. 115 on Monday, October 12, 2020. The Wild Horse Fire started on Sunday afternoon and the highway was shutdown except for local traffic. It had reopened by Monday morning, but temporarily shut down Monday afternoon so helicopters could attack the fire with water. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)tern
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Hail, some as large as golf balls, fell in the Broadmoor area during storms. Kelel Nilsen sweeps fallen leaves out of the driveway of his home as a fog lifts from the layer of hail that fell on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Mayor John Suthers and Paralympian 14-time gold medalist swimmer Erin Popovich lead a contingency of VIP's to the top of the new U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum to place the last tile in the exterior on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. The Museum features almost 9,000 custom-made anodized aluminum panels on the building exterior and no two are the same. The museum is set to open this May. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Olympic gold medalist skater Peggy Fleming and her husband, Greg Jenkins, toured the Olympic museum for the first time during a soft opening on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. They were in the Parade of Nations exhibit which simulates the feel of going to an opening ceremony in 360 degrees. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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The 28th Annual Carnivale Parade brought a Mardi Gras festive spirit to Manitou Springs on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. Massive puppets are a tradition in the parade. Randy Hodges smiles from the belly of one of the puppets while walking alongside another puppet with a large grin. This year's parade had a Middle Earth theme in honor of Manitou Spring's beloved artist Charles H. Rockey, who passed away last year. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Denver’s Brittany Charboneau reached the summit behind Allie McLaughlin but made up ground during the descent and won the women’s race in 4:25:21 in the Pikes Peak Marathon on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Charboneau crosses the finish line in downtown Manitou Springs. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Allie McLaughlin, Colorado Springs, summited first, but ended up in third place in the Pikes Peak Marathon on Sunday, August 23, 2020. With two bloodied knees from an apparent fall, McLaughlin sits in the tent to hydrate and take a breath after the race. The ascent portion of the race was cancelled because of COVID, but the marathon was still held with lots of safety precautions.(Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Memories of Kobe Bryant could be seen at the Pepsi Center when the Nuggets played the Lakers. Lakers fan Chris Cleveland and daughter, Kaidence, were wearing t-shrits with Kobe and his daughter, GiGi's photos, along with a photo of Cleveland and his daughter with #girlDad in honor of Kobe. LeBron James and Dwight Howard (right to left) high five in the background during warmups. Wednesday's game was between the first place team the LA Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Lakers LeBron James reaches out for a pass as he is defended by Nuggets Jamal Murray in the third quarter of a game at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Clippers forward JaMychal Green battle for the ball during the fourth quarter of a game at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Clippers 114-104 on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2019. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Broncos quarterback Drew Lock coughs up the ball while being sacked by Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White during the third quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2020. The Bills beat the Broncos 48-19. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (right) intercepts the ball as he is backed up by defensive lineman William Gholston. Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy watches from the back during the third quarter of a game. The Broncos were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-10 at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is sacked by Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb during the second half of a game. The Broncos were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-10 at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A young calf rests his mouth on a board after getting his fill of hay on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Over 20 years ago, when Lynda and Mike Gehring started yak ranching near Black Forest there were only 10 yak ranchers in the state. Now, there are more like 80 and Colorado is considered a hotbed for raising yaks. Yaks come from Tibet and thrive in a high altitude, cold environment. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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After journeying by jet from Alaska, an 8-week-old male orphaned Alaska moose arrived at DIA in the wee hours of the morning and was transported in a crate by truck down I-25 to his new home at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. The calf was orphaned at about six days old outside of Anchorage, Alaska, when his mother died in a fatal human-wildlife conflict. He has since been in the care of Alaska Zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo lost their 12-year-old Canada moose, Tahoma, this past May. Zoo staff registrar Ashley Arimborgo stands off to the side with a bottle of milk in case the moose is hungry. The current exhibit has been “child-proofed” until it is safe for the young moose to occupy the full exhibit, but zoo visitors will be able to see the young moose as soon as Wednesday, if he is outside. ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO ON ARRIVAL(Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A bull moose walks toward the road before sauntering across and disappearing behind a hill on the other side at Guanella Pass on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)
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Newly married couple Susanna Hedenstrom and Air Force Capt. Joseph Babitsky get in place atop one of the rock formations at Garden of the Gods for wedding photos by photographer Jen Lints (right) on Sunday, March 22, 2020.The couple was scheduled to get married at the Garden of the Gods Resort, but the resort was closed because of COVID-19 (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)
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One of the pop-up balloon glows was held at America the Beautiful Park on Labor Day weekend. On the left, is the new U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. The Colorado Springs Labor Day Liftoff was modified this year, influenced by the pandemic. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Although the annual Wildflower Festival in Crested Butte was canceled this year due to the pandemic, COVID-19 couldn’t keep the wildflowers from blooming in the high alpine valleys surrounding the town. A fallen tree makes a great location for fireweed and other wildflowers to thrive. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A painted lady butterfly looks down from a blooming Burkwood Viburnum bush at the Horticultural Arts Society Demonstration Garden in Monument Valley Park on Thursday, April 9, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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A small rabbit hides underneath the leaves of a squash at the Old Farm Community Garden. Rabbits are not welcome visitors, because of the damage they can do to crops, but every once in a while, one will sneak under the fence. Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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At the Old Farm Community Garden, on any Summer day, the gardeners are as busy as bees. As is this bee heading towards a very healthy and large sunflower at the garden on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Red and yellow aspens are coming up through the burned trees from the Hayman Fire near Hwy. 67 on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. The Hayman Fire was in 2002. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Changing aspens on Guanella Pass Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Christine Eppley and Koda help customers Beverly Dicken and Randy Mac at Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. Sparrow Hawk is one of the downtown businesses that has been resilient during COVID, partly because while people have been stuck at home they’ve been getting into cooking. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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About 600 tropical fish were released into their new home, a 16,000 gallon aquarium at the Scheel’s All Sports under construction in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Diver Rich Rotte cleans the corral at the massive aquarium. The sporting goods superstar is set to open in late March. Divers will go into the tank 4 times a week to clean the aquarium. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Sheep were being tended by Jack Friesema during the annual live nativity at HarvestDowntown Church on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Sheep, a donkey, goats, and a llama make up the barnyard petting zoo adjacent to the living nativity. . (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
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Photo by Jerilee Bennett of Jerilee Bennett and cardboard Broncos fans
