Denver, CO

One year after migrant surge, Denver’s spending tops $35 million

Published

7 months ago

December 15, 2023

One year after migrant surge, Denver’s spending tops $35 million

Denver has received more migrants per capita over the past year than any other large U.S. city that doesn’t flank the southern border.

In what Denver city staff is considering the fourth wave of record arrivals, Mayor Mike Johnston is pushing for not only more money from the federal government but steps to ease the process of integrating the migrants into their new communities, whether that is Denver or elsewhere.

“When I look back at the last year, my overwhelming sentiment is one of pride at what the city has done,” Johnston said. But, he added: “It is both a huge crisis for us to face and somewhat remarkable in that of the (more than) 30,000 that have come through, we’re down to maybe 300-400 that have ended up without a place to stay.”

One year ago then-Mayor Michael Hancock declared a state of emergency, calling on local, state and especially federal partners to provide resources. But the assistance has been scarce and people who need help have kept coming.

Shelters are reaching capacity, though no one has been turned away. City staff members are working overtime in multiple jobs and nonprofits are struggling to meet the demands while their leaders are feeling disconnected from decisions. People staying in shelters have reached their time limits and set up camps outside, further exacerbating a homeless crisis in the city.

The city has spent more than $35 million on its response (including to buy 14,800 tickets to other cities), according to Denver Human Services spokesperson Jon Ewing, only a fraction of which the federal government has agreed to reimburse. The highest costs have been for personnel costs at 39% of that money, followed by facilities, including hotel, costs at 23%.

It’s a situation Johnston inherited without long-term solutions, particularly as a city contract to outsource migrant sheltering and services was nixed at the last minute, shortly before Johnston took office, due to concerns about the ethics and practices of the selected company GardaWorld.

Now, his administration is in discussions with local nonprofits and private companies as potential providers for a new contract for next year, which Johnston and many of the city’s partners hope will alleviate at least some of the issues they’ve faced. A City Council vote is still required for contract approval. The city also hired more than 200 people earlier this month to work as on-call staff in the make-shift hotel shelter.

If Denver doesn’t receive more federal support, Johnston said, the city could be looking at spending an unplanned $100 million in 2024 — about $2 million per week — and “we wouldn’t be able to survive that.”

As of Friday morning, the city had helped 31,721 migrants since the first buses of migrant arrivals a year ago, the latest publicly available data show — about 4.4% of Denver’s population. That’s more per capita than Chicago (almost 1%); New York City (1.8%); Washington, D.C. (1.8%); Los Angeles (0.03%); and Philadelphia (0.2%), according to data compiled by the Denver mayor’s office. More than 3,300 are currently in six shelters, higher than the then-peak in October.

The majority of the migrants coming into Denver and other big cities over the past year hail from Venezuela, overcoming treacherous journeys to escape political, economic and humanitarian crises, and they’re seeking legally granted asylum. The first bus of about 100 migrants pulled into Denver on Dec. 7, 2022, and since then, the buses have continued over multiple surges, in some cases because they chose to come here and in others because they were sent.

Johnston and other mayors cited lengthy delays in getting work authorization approvals in a letter they sent to federal officials in November. Meanwhile, Johnston said, employers have jobs they want to fill and people who want the jobs but can’t work them. Some migrants who have been able to find labor jobs while undocumented are being exploited with their wages stolen, he said.

While the federal government earlier this year granted Venezuelans temporary protected status — a move Johnston applauded — allowing migrants to get expedited work authorization, it only applies to those who have lived in the U.S. since July 31.

The Denver mayor is also calling on the federal government to speed up its adjudication process for asylum cases to 30 days. Johnston recalled meeting a migrant last week who had paperwork showing he was admitted to the country over a month ago but his asylum court date isn’t until April 23, 2027, and he can’t work until then.

And Johnston wants a “coordinated entry system,” similar to what the government established for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees to determine where to send people around the country.

The city implemented a temporary moratorium on requiring families with children to leave shelters after a certain amount of time to avoid forcing people to live on the street. But that hasn’t been the case for individuals who face a two-week time limit. That’s resulted in hundreds of migrants living outside in tents.

The change for families, though not unwelcome, highlighted a challenge for nonprofit leaders working with migrants who say they aren’t informed about the city administration’s decisions ahead of time and say the mayor’s office hasn’t been involved in their biweekly discussions on long-term solutions during the crisis.

Jennifer Piper of the American Friends Service Committee said the disconnect leaves a lot of uncertainty for both nonprofits and city staff about timelines and changes to shelter protocols. It also complicates working with faith communities or even private landlords who want to offer short-term shelter options for migrants because the efforts are not coordinated.

The city’s upcoming contract is intended to help with those concerns, but Piper worries about how long it’s taking as migrants continue to arrive.

Nonprofits Vive Wellness and Papagayo have been working with migrants since their initial arrivals and are leading a nonprofit consortium’s proposal to provide migrant services through the city next year. The organizations are ready to start and are already doing some of the work, said Yoli Casas, Vive’s executive director. While the organizations continue to help people find housing, register kids in schools, get access to health services and provide food, Casas said they will be able to hire more staff if they get the contract and work directly in city shelters, improving communication and coordination.

She applauds Johnston’s administration for relying more on nonprofit expertise than the city has in the past but also empathizes with the difficulties nonprofits face before the contract takes effect. Casas wants to move beyond emergency response to implementing more long-term management to help people access all the services they need by going to one place, especially for those who plan to stay in Denver.

“This emergency is not going away,” Casas said. “Even if people stop coming, we have a year’s worth of work to settle everybody that’s here and work with that.

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Denver, CO

Crews recover RV from Big Thompson River

Published

6 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Crews recover RV from Big Thompson River

DENVER (KDVR) — An RV was recovered from the Big Thompson River after it went down the embankment and into the river.

Crews responded just before 2 p.m. Saturday for the incident on West Highway 34 in Big Thompson Canyon.

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority said the RV was about 75 feet down the embankment and in the water. The driver escaped and was evaluated by medics on the scene.

They requested swift-water personnel to help tow crews from Spartan Towing and Reliable Towing to fetch the RV from the water.

An RV was recovered from the Big Thompson River after it went down the embankment and into the river. (Loveland Fire Rescue Authority)
An RV was recovered from the Big Thompson River after it went down the embankment and into the river. (Loveland Fire Rescue Authority)
An RV was recovered from the Big Thompson River after it went down the embankment and into the river. (Loveland Fire Rescue Authority)

Several agencies responded, including Thompson Valley EMS, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol. Crews with Loveland Fire Rescue Authority were on the scene for six hours.

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Denver, CO

NFL Draft QB Guru Puts Bo Nix Doubters on Notice With Hilarious Zinger

Published

13 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

NFL Draft QB Guru Puts Bo Nix Doubters on Notice With Hilarious Zinger

Denver Broncos rookie first-rounder Bo Nix has received glowing reviews from quarterback coach Jordan Palmer, who’s renowned for mentoring top signal-callers like Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen. Today, we’re exploring Palmer’s insight into Nix’s performance, mindset, and upbringing since his days at Auburn and even high school.

Palmer had a lot to say about Nix, not the least of which is the valid comparison to certain future-Hall-of-Famer.

Palmer’s first encounter with Nix was during his senior year in high school when he was his offensive coordinator for an Elite 11. He watched Nix battle it out with fellow 2024 first-rounder Jayden Daniels (No. 2 overall pick/Washington).

Palmer would later get a chance to see Nix head to Auburn to play for his father’s alma mater, and he noticed he had a surprise standout quality: his athleticism. Palmer would say, “He’s significantly faster than you realize.”

Despite not having the fastest 40-yard dash, Nix had an exceptional performance in the 10-yard split, where he had one of the fastest times on the talented Auburn Tigers in the SEC.

Playing quarterback is an achievable goal but requires significant sacrifice, time, and dedication to the craft if a player genuinely wants to distinguish himself from others. In Nix’s case, his father played a crucial role in his rapid development as a signal-caller.

Patrick Nix was also Bo’s high school coach.

“From a mental perspective, this is the son of a coach. It’s actually a son of a great coach who also played. This is a trifecta in terms of growing up playing quarterback,” Palmer said of Nix.

Nix’s father helped him with his mechanics and footwork and was there to answer his questions about the game.

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While there is only one Brees, and Nix has a lot to prove and accomplish before he’s anywhere near the future Hall-of-Famer’s level, the two quarterbacks have a strikingly similar approach to the game, especially regarding preparation.

“Sean Payton clearly sees elements in Bo Nix, that he has had a lot of success with, and largely has helped him become the head coach of the Broncos, of what he saw in Drew Brees from an emotional standpoint,” Palmer said.

Nix’s approach to preparation has a lot to do with his success. At Oregon, he focused on recovering physically and preparing mentally. He even made a point to spend 12-hour days in the facility on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during his final season working with the Ducks coaching staff.

The Broncos have high hopes for Nix this season and the team should be optimistic. Palmer has been high on Nix from the jump. Even amid Nix’s struggles at Auburn, Palmer would go on to predict the future.

“His potential is to be a top pick in the NFL draft,” Palmer said of Nix.

Palmer faced a lot of pushback for his comments, to which he was unfazed.

“I hope whoever commented on that watched the draft a month ago. Sorry, I was off by 11 picks,” Palmer said.

While the Broncos’ first-round quarterback selections in recent history had their moments, they either struggled with shortcomings, whether in arm talent or in spending too much time playing video games rather than improving their football IQ. In Nix’s case, he’s a dedicated winner focused on perfecting his craft and looks to prove the doubters wrong heading into his rookie season.

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Denver, CO

Ask Amy: Exiting with some well-worn wisdom

Published

20 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Ask Amy: Exiting with some well-worn wisdom

Dear Readers: Since announcing my departure from writing this syndicated column, I have heard from scores of people across various platforms, thanking me for more than two decades of offering advice and wishing me well in my “retirement.” I am very touched and grateful for this outpouring of support.

The thing is — I don’t think of myself as retiring.

I have led a constant, reliable life. I will read even the worst book to the last page. I have never voluntarily left a relationship, an obligation, or any employment.

(I can barely stand to leave a room!)

But I’m leaving this seven-day-a-week commitment — because I want to, and because it’s time.

My intention is to move on and to do other meaningful work.

Writing this column has given me a glimpse into thousands of lives.

The insight I have gained has inspired and empowered me to listen to my own counsel, to be authentic in my actions, and to — basically — be in charge of my own life, as much as possible.

Showing myself the door at this moment reflects the privilege of good health, strong relationships, years of steady employment, and some prudent financial choices. I’m very aware of how lucky I am.

My favorite way to envision this work is to picture families reading these columns together at the breakfast table and weighing in with their own points of view before reading mine.

And yes, there are still parents and grandparents out there who clip the newspaper and send pertinent columns to kids in college or summer camp, or tape it to refrigerators and bathroom mirrors.

I’ve heard from healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and office workers who say they discuss the issues raised in the column in the break room.

I love knowing that, and I’ll miss having coffee with you.

The questions raised in this space have been used as teaching tools in middle schools, memory care units, ESL classes and prisons. These are perfect venues to discuss ethical, human-sized dilemmas.

On my last day communicating with you in this way, I feel compelled to try to sum up my experience by offering some lasting wisdom, but I’ve got no fresh insight. Everything I know has been distilled from wisdom gathered elsewhere.

Boxer Mike Tyson famously said, “Everybody has a plan, until they get punched ….” Punches are inevitable. But I do believe I’ve learned some universal truths that might soften the blows.

They are:

Show up for people.

Be gentle with yourself — and with others.

Lead with kindness, and recognize kindness when you receive it.

Reserve your harshest judgment. Sit on your worst thoughts about other people and consider the consequences before expressing them.

Be of service by finding something, or someone, to take care of.

Find creative ways to express your feelings.

Admit to your faults and failings, and resolve to do better.

Ask for forgiveness.

Work hard not to be defined by the worst things that have happened to you.

Recognize even the smallest blessings and express gratitude.

Be kind to receptionists, restaurant servers, dental hygienists, and anyone who needs to physically touch or serve you in order to do their job.

Understand that there are times when it is necessary to give up.

Spend time in nature.

Identify, develop, or explore your core ethical and/or spiritual beliefs.

Recognize and detach from your own need to control someone else.

Respect boundaries — yours and others’.

Seek the counsel of people who are wiser than you are. Ask their advice, and listen.

I sometimes supply “scripts” for people who have asked me for the right words to say, and so I thought I would boil these down to some of the most important statements I believe anyone can make.

They are:

I need help.

I’m sorry.

I forgive you.

I love you, just as you are.

I’m on your side.

You’re safe.

You are not alone.

Now that I’m near the end of my movie, I hope you’ll pay attention to the end credits.

Many thanks to Chicago friends and colleagues, including Jim Warren, who found me, Ann Marie Lipinski, who hired me, Steve Mandell, who represented me, and editors Mary Elson, Bill O’Connell and Carrie Williams. Thank you to “Gentleman Jack” Barry, who softened my exit.

And especially to Tracy Clark, a talented novelist who has helped to correct my faulty thinking and grammar for many years.

Finally, much gratitude to faithful readers, who can find me on social media and through my regular newsletter.

Onward!

(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)

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