Denver, CO

Denver’s homeless population continues to grow despite more spending

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2023

Denver’s homeless population continues to grow despite more spending

DENVER — Keith Barhams has an intimate data of Denver’s streets. He’s spent the previous 11 years residing exterior after a divorce left him homeless.

Right now, he walks with a limp after he was hit by a automobile final 12 months at 14th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. On most days, he doesn’t know the place his meal will come from or when he’ll get to take a bathe.

He’s not capable of keep at a lot of the shelters across the Denver space. And he says that even when he may get into housing, the lease costs are so excessive that he couldn’t afford to eat.

“How are you speculated to dwell?” he mentioned.

Barhams’ story isn’t a singular one as Denver’s unhoused inhabitants continues to develop, regardless of a stark improve within the metropolis’s housing and homeless finances since 2019, in line with knowledge obtained and analyzed by Denver7 Investigates.

Some extent-in-time survey that captures a one-night snapshot of homeless in cities performed in January 2022 counted 4,794 individuals residing on Denver’s streets. That represents a 44% improve over the identical survey’s outcomes 5 years earlier.

“The issue that we’re addressing is worse,” mentioned Benjamin Dunning, historian for Denver Homeless Out Loud, a nonprofit advocacy group.

In 2022, Denver budgeted $152,306,150 for housing and homelessness. That quantity grew to $180,948,669 for 2023, a 19% improve. In 2019, that finances was solely $73,159,330, lower than half what was budgeted final 12 months.

Dunning mentioned that cash is making a distinction, however there’s nonetheless an extended technique to go.

“We’re placing a whole bunch of tens of millions of {dollars} right into a billion-dollar drawback that’s rising,” he mentioned. “Denver is spending what they’ll, nevertheless it isn’t sufficient.”

On the root of the homeless problem is housing, Dunning says, and he believes that each greenback not spent on housing or retaining individuals housed is misappropriated.

Figures from town’s Division of Housing Stability present 53% of town’s 2023 finances goes to deal with reasonably priced housing. Roughly 41% will fund shelters and providers whereas the rest pays for administrative prices. That 53% towards housing does signify an uptick over earlier years.

“One of many main issues that almost all cities do is that they attempt to disguise the homeless somewhat than home the homeless,” Dunning mentioned, referring to shelters.

Britta Fisher, till not too long ago the chief director of Denver’s Division of Housing Stability, says she believes Denver nonetheless must spend money on each shelters and housing.

“I feel the aim of shelters is to offer a humane response to people who find themselves in a housing disaster,” she mentioned. “I don’t see it as hiding.”

When she spoke with Denver7 Investigates, Fisher was nonetheless Denver’s chief housing officer. She has since left the place to grow to be CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

Throughout an interview with Denver7 Investigates, Fisher mentioned balancing the cash between housing and shelters is among the division’s biggest struggles.

Different cities, akin to Houston, have dedicated to extra finances {dollars} for data-based, housing-first approaches with some success. In Houston, town has moved greater than 25,000 unhoused instantly into flats and housing. Since 2011, its point-in-time survey rely of unhoused people has dropped by 63%.

Fisher says defunding shelters in Denver isn’t as sensible due to the chilly winters.

“I don’t assume it’s acceptable for us to say it’s OK for individuals to be dying exterior. And I don’t assume the individuals of Denver discover that OK,” she mentioned.

Nonetheless, she does imagine town can do higher within the coming years and may just about finish homelessness.

“I imagine we are able to. I do know we are able to as a result of we’ve seen it occur in different communities,” she mentioned. “I feel Denver might be poised to be one of many giant cities to get that useful zero the place we see as many individuals coming into housing crises as we see individuals served by housing.”

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Denver, CO

Biggest Winners & Losers from Broncos’ 38-0 Blowout of Chiefs

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Biggest Winners & Losers from Broncos’ 38-0 Blowout of Chiefs

The Denver Broncos are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, and they made it happen emphatically with a 38-0 dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs. Facing a depleted Chiefs squad, the Broncos showed no mercy, dominating both sides of the ball and solidifying their place in the postseason.

This victory showcased the Broncos’ growth, resilience, and readiness for playoff football. Who were Denver’s biggest winners and losers from this playoff-clinching victory?

Let’s dive in.

Bo Nix | QB

Nix was flawless, completing 26-of-29 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns while adding 47 yards on the ground. His command of the offense was masterful, resulting in a 152.4 passer rating. Nix’s ability to stretch the field and keep the chains moving was the driving force behind Denver’s offensive explosion.

Marvin Mims Jr. | WR

Mims continues to ascend, catching all five targets for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed excellent footwork on his second touchdown, leaving defenders grasping at air in the corner of the end zone.

Courtland Sutton | WR

Sutton was a reliable target again, recording 98 yards and a 47-yard touchdown on five catches. His chemistry with Nix has made him the team’s go-to option in critical situations.

Devaughn Vele | WR

Vele had a highlight-reel moment, hauling in a double-tipped pass for a three-yard touchdown. His four catches for 50 yards showcased his ability to make clutch plays when called upon.

O-Line (Pass Protection)

The offensive line was a fortress, allowing no sacks and giving Nix ample time to pick apart the Chiefs’ secondary. The unit’s dominance upfront also created rushing lanes for Nix to scramble effectively.

Nick Bonitto | OLB

Bonitto continued his breakout season with two sacks, three tackles, and multiple pressures. His speed and relentless pursuit were too much for Kansas City’s offensive line to handle.

D-Line

The Broncos’ defensive line feasted on Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz, sacking him five times and limiting him to 98 passing yards. Their ability to collapse the pocket and clog running lanes completely stifled Kansas City’s offense.

Sean Payton | HC

Payton called a near-perfect game, blending aggressive play-calling with methodical clock management. His preparation and focus on execution were evident as the Broncos dominated every phase of the game.

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O-Line (Run Game)

While the Broncos’ offensive line excelled in pass protection, its run blocking left much to be desired. Denver’s running backs combined for just 104 yards on 34 carries, averaging a meager 2.9 yards per attempt.

The Broncos’ playoff drought is over, and they’re entering the postseason with momentum and confidence. Nix’s development has been extraordinary, and the offensive balance created by Payton’s system gives Denver a dangerous edge.

Defensively, the Broncos look like they have gotten back to center and are ready to take on any challenge, as their pass rush and secondary are firing on all cylinders. However, the run game remains a concern. Denver’s inability to establish consistent rushing lanes could become an issue against more balanced defenses in the playoffs.

Next up for the Broncos: a wildcard clash against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. While the challenge is daunting, this team has shown the grit and growth necessary for a sliver of hope for a deep playoff run.

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Denver, CO

Broncos-Chiefs inactives for Week 18

Published

14 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

The Denver Broncos are being gifted a berth into the AFC playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs today. As you can see from the below inactives list, they will be resting all of their best players and likely will limit the snap counts of those that remain active for this game.

There is literally no excuse for Sean Payton in this game. The Broncos should win by double-digits, but I don’t care how they win as long as they win. It has been a long nine year wait for Broncos Country.

Here are your gameday inactives for the Broncos-Chiefs game in Week 18.

Broncos inactives

Player	Position
Player	Position
Zach Wilson	QB
Blake Watson	RB
Levelle Bailey	ILB
Frank Crum	OT
Matt Henningsen	DL
Eyioma Uwazurike	DL

Chiefs inactives

Player	Position
Player	Position
Patrick Mahomes	QB
Isiah Pacheco	RB
Chris Jones	DT
Travis Kelce	TE
Jawaan Taylor	OT
George Kaarlaftis	DE
Trent McDuffie	CB

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Denver, CO

How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – NFL: Week 18 | Channel, stream, preview, prediction

Published

21 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – NFL: Week 18 | Channel, stream, preview, prediction

DENVER — An AFC West rivalry clash to end the 2024 NFL regular season has a lot riding on it for at least one team, as the Denver Broncos fight for their playoff lives when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial) and Paramount+

Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7)

When: Sunday, January 5
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Where: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colo.)
Channel: CBS
Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling, Paramount+

The Broncos have battled hard this season. With a rookie quarterback and a stout defense, the team has played good enough to keep them in postseason contention. They have had opportunities to clinch their fist playoff spot in nine years. However, losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals put them in a bind heading into the final week of the season.

The task heading into the game is rather simple on paper: do not lose to the Chiefs. A win or a tie puts Denver into the postseason for the first time since 2015, the year they last won the Super Bowl. If they lose, they will need the Miami Dolphins to lose.

It might not be that hard, as Kansas City is resting some of its top stars, such as Patrick Mahomes. That’s because the team has already locked up the first seed in the AFC, getting a bye of the Wild Card round. The team has certainly been an interesting team, as their numerous one-score wins lead many to wonder if this team has the ability to make a run to a third Super Bowl in a row.

The first time these two teams met, the Broncos fell short thanks to a blocked field goal. The Chiefs have won 17 of the last 18 meetings with Denver, with KC holding a 73-56 record against their rivals.

MY PICK: Broncos win, 24-21