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Residents share concerns about proposed micro-community site in southwest Denver

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1 year ago

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Residents share concerns about proposed micro-community site in southwest Denver


DENVER — People who live near a proposed micro community site in southwest Denver are speaking out and sharing their concerns. Many of them feel the site will put them and their families in danger. They say they have seen it happen before.

The proposed sites are one part of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s ambitious plan to move 1,000 people experiencing homelessness off the streets by the end of the year.

It’s been just under two weeks since Johnston released a preliminary list of sites where he wants to build the micro-communities, which would include Pallet shelters, which are prefab tiny homes that could be assembled in under one hour.

The city council approved the mayor’s request to spend $7 million on the micro-communities. The majority of the cost, $5.1 million, will be spent on purchasing the homes from Pallet. About two million dollars will be used to help get the sites ready.

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One site would be built on a strip of land owned by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) at Santa Fe and Iliff in southwest Denver’s Overland Park neighborhood.

Denver7 spoke with several neighbors on Tuesday and found the reaction to the proposed micro-community was mixed.

“It’s very understandable because people’s experiences with the homeless have been so mixed,” said Jack Unruh, co-president of the Overland Park Neighborhood Association.

Unruh is someone who’s sympathetic to the plight of people experiencing homelessness. He says during the pandemic, he often carried on conversations with some of them who lived in an encampment in the neighborhood.

“I knew people by name,” said Unruh.

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He said he was under no illusions that some of them were probably involved in criminal activity. But he says they never posed a threat to him.

“They didn’t pose a threat to me because I was in conversation with them and acknowledged them,” said Unruh.

He believes the mayor’s plan could work.

“I think many of the neighborhood leaders and community leaders are supporting the general direction that he’s taking,” said Unruh.

A narrow alley is all that separates several homes in the neighborhood from the property where the city is proposing to build the micro-community.

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KMGH-TV

A property owner shared this rendering, purportedly showing the proposed micro community site at Iliff and Santa Fe.

Unlike Unruh, several residents didn’t have anything nice to say about the mayor’s plan when Denver7 knocked on their doors Tuesday. Many said they were worried about crime and drug use, which they experienced before when other homeless people lived on the same site.

Many of the residents were too afraid to speak on camera, saying they didn’t want to make a big ruckus. Some say they feared retaliation.

Joy Fagan, who has lived in the neighborhood for three years, is not afraid to speak out.

She said the neighborhood has experienced many problems with homelessness in the past.

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“This is the first summer we haven’t had about 50 to 75 homeless people living in that area, in that field, and in the cul de sac,” Fagan said. “We had them running down the street, chasing each other with guns. We had a woman lying in the middle of the street at three o’clock in the morning. We had syringes right there where kids were playing, so people quit bringing their kids to the park because of it.”

Fagan believes the micro-community will encourage more of them to move to the neighborhood, leading to more problems.

“That’s just rewarding bad behavior,” said Fagan. “You’re actually enabling them to stay in a dangerous situation for them. It’s a lose-lose.”

Robert Lee said he personally hasn’t had an issue, but one of his neighbors told Denver7 that a rock was thrown into his window by a homeless person.

Lee says he wants more information about the proposed micro-community site before rendering a judgment.

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“We can’t all be for progress but [say] ‘not in my backyard,’” said Lee. “There still has to be some effort from the community, from every community. And I think really we just need more information, more tangible facts to work with and I think that will really help people feel more invested in actually pitching in and helping.”

The mayor’s office says the proposed sites were chosen due to their proximity to transit, access to utilities, and distance from schools, among other reasons.

The sites will include a community room, laundry rooms, and restrooms.

People will also be offered services to help them get back on their feet.

The mayor’s office said the tiny homes will begin arriving in November at sites around the city and the first units will be ready for move-in in December.

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Denver, CO

Broncos’ playoff scenarios as they battle Bengals

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3 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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Broncos’ playoff scenarios as they battle Bengals


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The Denver Broncos have kicked off against the Cincinnati Bengals with an opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Bengals are fighting for their playoff lives as well.

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Here are the playoff scenarios for the Broncos at the start of today.

Denver Broncos playoff scenarios with a win

For the Broncos, it’s simple. Win, and you’re in.

To make things a little simpler, they simply need one win in their final two games. Beat the Bengals today? Next week doesn’t matter.

More: NFL playoff picture Week 17: Chargers clinch berth with rout of Patriots; one spot left in AFC

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What happens if the Broncos lose?

If the Broncos lose, they aren’t out of it yet. In that scenario, the Broncos would need to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the season.

An added wrinkle to keep an eye out for in that game is that the Chiefs have already wrapped up the number one seed in the AFC. They may end up sitting some or all of their key starters for part or all of the game.

Additional information

  • Broncos record: 9-6
  • Bengals record: 7-8
  • Channel: NFL Network
  • Kickoff time: 2:30 p.m. MST



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Denver, CO

Multiple rounds of snow move into the mountains; mild weekend in Denver metro

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11 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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Multiple rounds of snow move into the mountains; mild weekend in Denver metro


Rounds of snow will move into Colorado’s mountains this weekend.

If you’re traveling into the High Country, the bests time to travel will be early Saturday through midday, before the next round of snow moves in. Then again on Sunday afternoon, ahead of more snow on Monday.

It’ll be a cool and mostly cloudy start to the day in the Denver metro area. The winds will kick up in the foothills and the west side of I-25. Temperatures will warm into the low and mid 50s along the urban corridor.

Mountain snow showers will return Saturday night into Sunday morning, as Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings continue for the northern and central mountains.

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We’ll have another lull midday Sunday with partly cloudy skies statewide. It’ll be a bit warmer in the Denver metro, with highs close to 60-degrees by the afternoon.

More mountain snow is expected Sunday night into Monday in the mountains with a slight chance of brief rain or snow showers in the metro as a cold front moves through the region Monday.

Avalanche danger is high for much of the high country, with waves of heavy snow and high winds. Please be extra cautious in the back country.

By mid-next week, snow chances decrease in the mountains. The plains and Denver cool down dramatically with highs only climbing into the 30s Tuesday. It will be dry, but very chilly for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Temperatures will be a bit more seasonal for New Year’s Day in Denver, with highs in the low-40s. Warmer weather returns by the end of next week.

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DENVER WEATHER LINKS: Hourly forecast | Radars | Traffic | Weather Page | 24/7 Weather Stream

Click here to watch the Denver7 live weather stream.





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Denver, CO

Denver area events for Dec. 28: Ken Marino & David Wain’s Middle Aged Dad Jam Band at Cervantes’ Other Side and more

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19 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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Denver area events for Dec. 28: Ken Marino & David Wain’s Middle Aged Dad Jam Band at Cervantes’ Other Side and more


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.

Saturday

Toucon — With Sibyl Vane & Sam E. Bee, 5 p.m., Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: larimerlounge.com.

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JoFoKe & Same Cloth — 6 and 9 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events.

Drop Dead, Gorgeous — 7 p.m., Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St., Denver, $35 and up. Tickets: summitdenver.com.

The Long Run – Colorado’s Tribute to The Eagles — 7 p.m., The Oriental Theater, 4435 W. 44th Ave., Denver, $25. Tickets: theorientaltheater.com.

Tildagrave — 8 p.m., The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, 1624 Market St., Denver, $25.50. Tickets: theblackbuzzard.com.

Silver West — With Shawn Hess, Jake Luna, 8 p.m., Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway, Denver, $12.06. Tickets: skylarklounge.com.

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Ken Marino & David Wain’s Middle Aged Dad Jam Band — 8 p.m., Cervantes’ Other Side, 2635 Welton St., Denver, $38.45 and up. Tickets: cervantesmasterpiece.com.

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Heir to Nothing — With The Chesters, Opium & Private Society, 8 p.m., Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: globehall.com.

Banshee Tree — With David Satori, Bloomurian, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, $25.15-$27.15. Tickets: axs.com.

“The King Penny Radio Show” — 8-9 p.m., RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St., Denver, $16 and up. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4cjksf3v.

Luttrell — 9 p.m., Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $36.03. Tickets: axs.com.

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80’s Night with Rachel Taulbee & Friends — 9:30 p.m., BurnDown, 476 S. Broadway, Denver; burndowndenver.com.

Saturday-Sunday

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Holiday Ballet — Presented by the Ballet Ariel, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Parsons Theatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, Northglenn, $20-$40; balletariel.org.

Umphrey’s McGee — 8 p.m., Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, $55. Tickets: axs.com.

CARLOTTA OLSON, The Denver Gazette

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