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Joelle Martinez, family Latino Leadership Institute contribute to city’s success

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Hispanic Heritage Series (Part IV of V)

Joelle Martinez’ family roots in Colorado date back to at least the 1500s in the southern Colorado and northern New Mexico area.

Photo courtesy: Latino Leadership Institute

Her great grandparents moved from the San Luis Valley to the Denver metro area to pursue educational and economic opportunities. And ever since then, Martinez’s family has gone on to become active civic leaders, business owners, and others who have positively impacted Coloradans.

Martinez’s father owned a telecommunications business while her mother worked for U.S. Bank where she became one of the first Latinas to become a branch president and launched one of the first diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for the bank. Also, Martinez’ grandmother, Ramona Martinez, a former Denver City Councilwoman helped shape, ignite and lead those efforts that advanced the city’s success and growth for many years.

Following in her family’s footsteps, Martinez worked as a political strategist where she spent time consulting on major campaigns, leading communication efforts, and designing public policy awareness campaigns. Through politics, Martinez wanted to make a difference in the community and felt that positively impacting policy was a way to do so. And even though she said the campaigns and projects she got to work on were wonderful, she found that she was often the only Latina, and sometimes woman, in the room during her career.

“My experience being in these elevated leadership positions and a realization that at the time (2012) that politics and the world had changed, I realized we could affect more change if we really invest in developing the leaders who could go on to create a ripple effect,” said Martinez.

After being approached by various Latino leaders in the Denver area who founded the Latino Leadership Institute, Martinez decided to join in the effort and to help spearhead the organization. Today, the Latino Leadership Institute prepares Latino leaders for positions of power and influence, collects and shares relevant data about Latinos, and partners with organizations to create more inclusivity.

In particular, the Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) offers its Ignite leadership program which is designed to reflect the diversity of experiences within the Latino community while meeting individuals where they are in their leadership journey. The program helps Latino professionals explore identity, build confidence, develop executive decision-making techniques, and create a framework for advancement driven by values and goals.

The organization also offers its Latino Entrepreneur Access Program (LEAP), a one-year program designed to help Latino and BIPOC founders and business owners sustain profitable revenue growth, access new capital from public and private financing sources, and more.

Martinez said her job is rewarding and discussed meeting with a resident who graduated through the Ignite program. Since going through the program, that resident has applied for elevated leadership roles and grown to understand his position as a community leader and the power he has to create change, Martinez said.

“When we can ignite that in one person and understand what that ripple effect looks like, you begin to see the real impact of our work. I cherish the individual successes and this collective wave of change that we are working to start,” said Martinez.

Those who are interested in participating in the Latino Leadership Institute’s programs should visit latinoslead.org.

Broncos beat Bears in their first win of season

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This week the Denver Broncos traveled to Chicago to face another 0-3 team, the Chicago Bears. The start to the Bears season has been just as much of a disappointment as the Denver Broncos losing to the Packers at home in their home opener and then to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs last week.

While the Bears loss to the Chiefs wasn’t nearly as bad as the Denver Broncos loss to the Miami Dolphins the previous week they still loss by 31 points to Kansas City.

Heading into Sunday’s game both teams were reeling from embarrassing losses the previous week, hoping to notch their first win of the season. Early on Sunday, it looked as though the Bears might be the better team.

On Sunday, the Denver Broncos defense stepped up early and held the Bears offense to just five plays on their first drive. The Russell Wilson led Denver Broncos moved the ball from their own 16-yard-line to the Chicago 18 before hitting running back Jaleel McLaughlin for an 18 yard touchdown to take the early lead.

The Broncos defense and offense then went on vacation for the remainder of the first quarter through the end of the third. During that time the Chicago Bears racked up 28 points leading the Broncos 28 – 7 with four minutes and 11 seconds left in the quarter. The Broncos offense came alive, moving the ball 75 yards on 7 plays to bring Denver to within 14 points.

In the fourth Denver’s defense stepped up holding the Bears to just their 35-yard-line. On Denver’s ensuing possession, Wilson marched the Broncos down the field on 10 plays for 66 yards that resulted in a 13 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Courtland Sutton to bring Chicago’s lead down to one touchdown.

The Broncos defense now had a chance to stop the Bears and get the ball back into Russell Wilson’s hands, in hopes of trying to tie up the game, but instead the Broncos defense forced a fumble on Chicago’s quarterback Justin Fields which bounced into the open hands of Jonathon Cooper who waltzed in for the scoop and 35-yard touchdown tying the game.

With 6:55 left, the Bears offense took to the field and attempted to put the Broncos away for good. The Bears moved the ball into Denver territory, right down to Denver’s 18-yard-line before Denver’s defense held the Bears on four downs to turn over the ball on downs. The Broncos moved the ball 48 yards on 5 plays to Chicago’s 33-yard-line where Bronco’s Kicker Wil Lutz kicked a 51-yard field goal for the lead, leaving 1:46 left in regulation.

The Bears moved the ball 22 yards on 6 plays before Chicago quarterback Fields dropped back in shotgun for a deep pass down the middle intended for Bears wide receiver C Kmet which was intercepted by Denver Bronco’s Kareem Jackson who immediately kneeled for the win.

The Broncos will host the New York Jets next Sunday at 2:25 p.m. in Denver.

In other sports the CU Buffs faced their second ranked team in two weeks after their embarrassing loss 42-6 to the Oregon Ducks the previous week. This week the Buffs faced the USC Trojans who are ranked 9th by the Associate Press. The Trojans came out firing in the first quarter scoring two unanswered TD’s. The Buff got onto the board in the second half but trailed the Trojans 34 – 14 heading into the half.

The third quarter was close with the Trojans adding 14 more to Colorado’s 13 and in the fourth the Buffs defense was able to hold USC to zero points while adding 14 themselves. Unfortunately CU still came up short but put on a much better performance against a ranked team compared to the previous week in Oregon.

CU will head to Arizona to face the Arizona State Sun Devils who have only won one game this season over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Saturday’s game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Pueblo growing greener and greener in a new century

Times have changed in Pueblo, a city once known for producing a good portion of the nation’s steel. Of course, while the steel mill fueled a booming tax base and fed families across all southern Colorado it was also belching tons of pollutants into the air. But those days are over and now, instead of Pueblo having some of the state’s dirtiest air—perhaps even the dirtiest—the city’s air is now among the cleanest in Colorado.

“Pueblo’s air quality is very good,” said Trysten Garcia, spokesman for County Health and Environment. The days of smog fouling the air and compromising the city’s mountain view are history. Bad air quality in Pueblo, he said, presents “a very low risk for people with respiratory issues.” The city, said the Public Information Officer, actually provides an air quality measurement “every ten minutes.”

Of course, while the steel mill downsizing has effectively eliminated one source of bad air, there are things that can’t be controlled, including blowing dust that also has an effect on people with health issues. “Normally,” said Garcia, “when seasons are changing, when you have dry conditions, is when we’re notifying the public” to curtail outdoor activities or even remain inside. “We’re always displaying real time air quality prominently” on the county’s web page.

While the bad air that once plagued Pueblo has disappeared, there is another public health issue that is often overlooked but one that Pueblo and one of its companies, 3R Recycling, are facing head-on. The challenge is called e-waste, and it goes well beyond southern Colorado.

The ‘E’ in e-waste stands for electronic. As the world races into the 21st century, it is growing not just a mountain but a mountain range of no longer useful or needed electronics, everything from toasters to toys to toothbrushes.

For too many people, it may be just a useless PC or a once all-the-rage electronic gadget that they’re loading up for the landfill. But for people like Colin Hughes, operations manager for Pueblo’s 3R Technology Solutions, it’s hazardous waste that can and does slowly decompose, leaking toxins into the ground and water.

3R Technology Solutions stays busy not just recycling these things but also encouraging people to think twice about what they might be throwing away. “Not only is it dangerous,” said 3R’s Operations Manager Colin Hughes to thoughtlessly head to a landfill with old electronics, “but it is also illegal.”

Hughes’ company works with several municipalities and businesses in southern Colorado, including Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas County governments, to keep no longer useful and out of date electronics out of landfills.

“With the way technology is,” said Hughes, “people tend to upgrade every 2-3 years.” Advances in technology make it almost essential that old computers and outdated electronics be replaced. That’s where companies like 3R come in.

“We try and recycle and reuse as much as we can,” Hughes said. His company combs over the PCs, tablets, old televisions that people no longer use and removes anything and everything that can be recycled. That includes wire, circuits and even plastic. Doing so, he said, keeps toxic chemicals essential in the manufacturing process, poisons like lead, mercury and cadmium, from seeping into the soil and ground water. Still, it’s an uphill battle, not only for organizations like Pueblo’s 3R, but for the entire world.

In a recent white paper published by the environmental group The Roundup, an organization dedicated to promoting environmental issues, it was estimated that 57 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2021 with a projected growth of 2 million tons a year. Only 20 percent of all e-waste is collected and properly recycled, said The Roundup, adding that China, India and the U.S. are the biggest producers of this waste.

Dealing with e-waste will continue to be a Pueblo, a Colorado and a world challenge for the foreseeable future. But for now, the hub city of southern Colorado has reasonably solved the issue that once preceded any description of it, bad air.

The county’s health information officer said that Puebloans deal with bad air quality just a handful of times each year. This year the trend was up. Offering just a guess to the number of days when bad air lingered over Pueblo, Garcia fixed the number in the “high single digits…maybe ten this year.” The big culprits for the spike, the colossal wild fires in Canada and blowing dust.

What’s Happening?

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Community

Dia de Los Muertos Altar Collaboration Honors Denver’s Iconic Mexican Folk Artist, Rita Wallace de Flores at History Colorado.

Corn Mother and iconic textile artist Rita Wallace de Flores is considered by many, Denver’s first lady of  Mexican Folk Art, Story, and Dance. The 90-year-old living treasure came out of retirement to work with local celebrity artist Cal Duran to create a new installation for Dia de Los Muertos at History Colorado. Now on display throughout November 3rd  in the lobby of the museum (1200 Broadway).  

The stunning altar is part of the museum’s annual tribute to the holiday. Duran utilized Wallace’s magnificent felt tapestry “ Tree of Life” along with over 200 of her textile pieces to create a unique tribute to the legendary artist. An 8-foot Paper Mache  Cuentista (storyteller doll) was made by Duran specifically for this show. He balanced out the breathtaking installation with his signature Ojo de Dios, clay work, and other pieces.

In 2020 Wallace’s massive collection of tapestries and textiles was donated by the family to History Colorado with the help of MSU Denver Chicana/o Studies Department Journey Through Our Heritage program and the Chicano Humanities Arts Council (CHAC). “This is a rare opportunity to see the legacy of this prolific artist and truly understand the significance of her contribution to the Latinx art scene in Denver,” commented CHAC executive director Brenda Gurule.    

Duran, who is known nationally for his murals, clay sculptors and Dia de Los Muertos installations, began working with Wallace over a year ago. When Dr. Lucha Martinez de Luna, Associate Curator of Hispanic, Latino and Chicano History at History Colorado asked  Duran to create the altar collaboration with Wallace, Cal jumped at the opportunity.

For more information visit https://www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/dia-de-los-muertos-altar.


Que Pasa? is compiled by La Voz Staff. To submit an event for consideration please email attractions@lavozcolorado.com with Que Pasa in the subject line by Friday at 5 p.m.

Do Americans want self-governing?

David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs

The serious obstacles that national political leadership had to overcome in order to find a solution to allow America to maintain its good credit, is the latest illustration of a story about governance in our democracy. On January 19, 2023, the United States hit its debt ceiling and that created a political crisis that was not resolved until six months later.

This was followed by an appropriation debacle that threatened to shut down the government this past October 30th. The crisis was temporarily averted by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives that extends mostly current levels of funding for 45 days.

It is the bickering and developing deep divisions within the Republican Party that have led to the current predicament and threatens the fundamental functions of government at the highest levels. This is particularly dangerous given that the Republican Party holds the majority in the House of Representative and is expected to lead.

It happens that there is a relatively small group of MAGA Conservatives bent on creating chaos. At this point, they have been successful doing it because the Republican Party is in the majority only by a handful of votes. The MAGA group does not seem to be there to govern and serve the American people. Rather, they seem to be on a mission to create dysfunction and prove that democratic order and the rule of law are no longer relevant.

MAGA in Congress and in the country is striving for political power outside the Constitution. Their leader, Donald Trump, is not about democracy or democratic institu- tions, but holds to the notion that personal authority is the only way to reverse what his followers believe is the gradual loss of pertinence in the power structure of the country.

When he was in office, Trump began to assert the idea that he could do anything he wanted because he was the President. However, as the embodiment of the Article 2 of the Constitution, his role was mostly to be Commander in Chief of the Arm Forces and to execute and enforce laws made by Congress.

I grew up with a Republican Party that worked under a philosophy that included ideas like family values, small government, strong defense, law and order, limited spending and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

In a Trump led Republican Party, that is no longer the case. I believe that the demonstrated MAGA desire to go away from the Constitution and find an authoritarian to lead them is tied to the profound changes that are now occurring and will be occurring in the next decades. It reminds me of a Roman history lesson about the election of a dictator with unquestioned supremacy when the state found itself in mortal danger. The danger in our case, is that there is a ruling elite that is losing power and relevance to a new generation that offers different ways of navigating life in America. The new generation has a large number of people of color that were long thought of as second class.

The reason MAGA is going rogue on democracy is the fear of losing their traditional identity as the power brokers in the country. They also have found a would-be dictator to follow and make them great again.

So, the question is if there are enough MAGA types in Congress to create chaos in an effort that could destroy democracy, how is the institution going to govern? The answer to that question is on all of us.

The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.

Colorado 150th Anniversary License Plate breaks sales records

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) proudly announces that one of the state’s 150th anniversary license plates has set an unprecedented record as the fastest-selling license plate in state history. .

In a tribute to the history and spirit of Colorado, residents have been quick to display the “Pikes Peak or Bust” plate on their vehicles, with more than 5,700 plates ordered in the first two months of availabil- ity, surpassing the previous biggest sale, the Broncos Charities. which took four months to reach comparable sales.

“Colorado’s 150th birthday is an exciting time to celebrate and take pride in our state. Both 150th anniversary license plate designs showcase unique parts of Colorado, so it’s no surprise to me that many people choose one for their vehicles,” said Governor Polis.

Photo courtesy: dmv.colorado.gov

“Congratulations to Calista and Evan on the success of their license plate designs and I look forward to seeing more of them on the roads!”

The plaque, which went on sale in August of this year, is based on the winning design from the under-13 division of the Colorado Historical Contest by Calista Blaschke of Denver. The plate design includes Pikes Peak, the state bird (lark), and the state tree (blue spruce).

“I was very excited to learn that my design is the fastest-selling license plate in Colorado history,” Calista said. “I never expected to win the Colorado Historical Contest, much less design a license plate that so many people like to put on their cars. “I’m proud that my art is a part of Colorado history.”

Additionally, the 13+ division’s winning plate, designed by Evan Griesheimer of Denver, is also experiencing strong sales, with more than 3,000 plates ordered through the end of September. According to Griesheimer, the license plate design was inspired by the simplicity and colors of the Colorado state flag, the Rocky Mountains, and the state’s rich mining history.

Earlier this year, the DMV released four retro plate designs, and while the black, digitally printed passenger plate has grown in popularity to become the most popular Colorado specialty plate to date, unprece- dented demand for 150th anniversary license plates suggests they could soon become the state’s new favorite options for celebrating its storied past.

“The overwhelming demand for this specialty license plate shows the pride Coloradans have in their state’s enduring legacy,” said DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle. “The DMV is committed to providing Coloradans with a vehicle to express their interests through their personalized selection of license plates.”

Coloradans interested in viewing all available license plate designs should visit DMV.Colorado.gov/License-Plates (for Spanish, use the automatic translator in the upper right corner of the website). Residents can purchase plates online at myDMV.Colorado.gov or at a county-operated motor vehicle office. Plates cost $8.06 per pair, plus local fees.
SOURCE: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Denver responds to unprecedented increase in migrant arrivals

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Shelter Length-of-Stay Duration Shortened for Individuals, Lengthened for Families

The City and County of Denver is altering length-of-stay policies in its migrant shelters in response to a significant increase in new arrivals from the southern border.

To date, Denver has served more than 21,000 migrants at a cost of $26 million. Over the past week the daily average of new arrivals is nearly 300, with the total migrant shelter population now 2,500 and nine buses from Texas arriving in Denver on Sunday alone. These unprecedented numbers are up sharply from even mid-September, when the daily average of newcomers to Denver was 125 and the shelter population was 1,200. This influx – the third, following the initial wave in December and a second surge in May – is affecting shelter capacity and straining staffing availability.

In response, adult migrant guests without children will be accommodated in shelter facilities for 14 days rather than 21, while migrant families with children will be allowed to stay for 37 days instead of 30. The change, which takes effect Wednesday, Oct. 4, will not impact individuals who arrived prior to that date.

Denver is primarily responsible for providing temporary, emergency shelter. With the arrival of cold weather on the horizon, Denver is calling on communities around the state to support the sheltering effort, and on nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and individuals to aid in the response by volunteering, joining the effort as a contract worker, and donating needed items such as clothing. The city is grateful to its partners, which have made this a true community effort.

Cities or towns interested in providing temporary shelter for newly arriving migrants should contact Adam Paul, director of regional affairs for the Mayor’s Office, at adam.paul@denvergov.org.

Donations can be delivered to the Richard T. Castro Human Services Center at 1200 N. Federal Blvd. Winter items such as hats, scarves, socks and gloves are especially needed.

Individuals who wish to donate should carefully review the instructions, wayfinding tips and maps available at Denvergov.org/MigrantSupport. To schedule a donation drop off, call (303) 514-0643. Important donation instructions can be found at Denvergov.org/MigrantSupport. The Newcomers Fund also continues to accept monetary donations from the public. Donations go directly to the city’s nonprofit partners.

Our Government

White House

The Biden-Harris Administration took another major step towards lower health care costs for seniors and families and announced that all manufacturers of all ten drugs selected for negotiation have signed agreements to participate in the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. For decades, Big Pharma fought to block Medicare from directly negotiating lower drug prices for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries, while nearly three in ten Americans struggle to afford their medications because of cost. President Biden and Congressional Democrats finally beat Big Pharma and allowed Medicare to directly negotiate lower drug prices by passing the Inflation Reduction Act – despite zero Republicans voting in favor of the bill.

Colorado Governor

Denver International Airport (DEN) Chief Executive Officer was joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and representatives from the airport, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and construction crews at a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of Taxiway EE, the largest FAA- funded safety project in the nation. The new taxiway marks an important safety and efficiency milestone for DEN. The leaders also celebrated a $30 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is funding much of an important lighting and runway rehabilitation project for Runway 17L-35R currently underway.

Denver Mayor

Mayor Johnston announced the city’s first successful housing encampment resolution. After identifying 70 unsheltered residents to be assigned for relocation at the encampment at 8th Ave. and Logan St., the city moved 83 individuals directly off the street to converted hotel units. In addition, not a single person formally declined the housing options the city offered. This is a first for the city and a monumental step towards achieving Mayor Johnston’s housing initiative to bring 1,000 people indoors before the end of the year.

A Week In Review

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Africa

Kenya to ban private children’s homes

Kenyan officials plan to abolish all private owned orphanages and children’s homes within the next eight years. The country said the closures are aimed at ending child trafficking. The UN children’s agency found that 40,000 lived in 811 registered institutions in Kenya in 2017. Kenya’s government plans to continue housing children in facilities managed by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, a government agency.

Former Ghana first lady dies

Former First Lady of Ghana Theresa Kufour has passed away at the age of 87. Kufour was the country’s First Lady from 2001 to 2009 and is known for her work to advance maternal and child healthcare in Ghana. She was married to former President John Agyekum Kufuor after they met at a Republic Day anniversary dance in 1961. Kufour is survived by her hus- band and their five children.

Asia

Indonesia opens new highspeed railway

Officials in Indonesia opened its first highspeed railway, which connects the capital Jakarta to Bandung. The railway is a $7.3 billion project backed by China and is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Named Whoosh, the railway was originally scheduled to open in 2019 but was delayed because of land disputes, the pandemic, and other reasons.

Suicide attack leaves 50 dead in Pakistan

At least 50 people were killed and dozens injured in a suicide attack in Pakistan. The attack occurred near a mosque when people were gathering to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. The death toll is expected to rise, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier in September, 11 people, including a prominent Muslim leader, were also injured in an explo- sion near where the suicide attack occurred.

Europe

Ukraine plans for underground school

Officials in Ukraine confirmed an underground school will be built in Kharkiv. The school will provide shelter and allow thousands of children to continue in-person education safely even during missile threats. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, more than 360 educational facilities have been destroyed. Research from the UN shows that only a third of Ukraine’s schoolchildren attend school in-person.

Nightclub fire kills 13 in Spain

Over the weekend, a fire engulfed three nightclubs and left 13 people dead in Spain. The fire spread to clubs as residents tried to escape packed dancefloors. The incident occurred in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia, and it is still unknown what caused the fire. The fire is believed to be the worst of its kind in Spain since 1990 when 43 people were killed in a nightclub in Zaragoza.

Latin America

Church roof collapses in northern Mexico, kills 10

At least 10 people were killed and 60 others were injured when the roof of a church collapsed in northern Mexico. The incident occurred when around 100 people were attending a baptism. Officials are unsure what caused the collapse, but it is believed it may have been due to structural failures. Among those who died included a toddler and a couple with their eight-year-old son.

Peruvian man charged with sending hoax bomb threats

Authorities in Peru arrested Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos last week after he was accused of sending more than 150 hoax bomb threats to US schools, synagogues and other public buildings after teenage girls refused to send him explicit pictures. The threats caused evacuations and other disruptions. Nunez Santos, 33, posed as a teenage boy and communicated with teenage girls on an online gaming platform.

North America

U.S. avoids government shutdown

Both the House and Senate agreed on a short-term funding deal that will help the U.S. government avoid a federal shutdown. The bill ensures funding until Nov. 17 and received overwhelming support. If the shutdown had occurred, tens of thousands of federal employees would have been placed on furlough without pay. The bill excludes funding for Ukraine which is seen as a blow for Democrats.

Ex gang leader charged in death of rapper Tupac Shakur

Officials in Nevada have charged Duane “Keffe D” with the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis was indicted on one count of murder with a deadly weapon. He is accused of planning the deadly shooting of Shakur after his nephew was involved in a fight with the rapper in a casino. Davis is a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang and is accused of ordering the death of Shakur.

Mayor Mike Johnston plans to solve Denver’s homelessness

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While each one has its own unique qualities—different materials, occupants, size—what they share is the reality that brought them to where they are. What we’re talking about here are the seemingly countless homeless/unhoused encampments that have become ubiquitous hallmarks in nearly every American city including Denver.

Denver’s unhoused community has planted flags for the world to see on the city’s busiest arterials and in neighborhoods—all in plain site. Though, the city recently announced that one encampment in the shadow of the Governor’s Mansion is scheduled for removal.

This transient population, whose numbers are the source of constant reevaluation were a major theme of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s run for office and the city’s top job. Now, in office, the new mayor has announced plans to turn his promise into action.

“We are on track to meet our historic goal of housing 1,000 unsheltered Denverites,” said the mayor in an emailed statement. “We are incredibly excited about the progress we’ve made so far.”

Photo courtesy: City of Denver

The mayor’s end goal, he said, is to have a thousand currently unhoused in safe and secure housing by year’s end. Also, he said, those who’ll relocate from the street to more traditional shelter will be offered access to “workforce training, mental health support, addiction-based treatment, and long-term housing support.”

The mayor announced in July plans to begin a major campaign to clear homeless encampments that pose health and safety issues with the ultimate goal of finding more permanent accommodations for—at least the beginning—a thousand individuals.

“I have to say that I appreciate that he came out so early” with a plan to tackle this issue, said Denver City Council’s Selena Gonzales-Gutierrez. The former state legislator and first-term councilmember calls the move to relocate this population into a safer and more secure environment “basic human right.”

As it stands, the mayor is charging a group of 50 city employees to secure funding for accommodations for the first thousand unhoused. The likely landing spots for them will include rental units, repurposed hotels or motels and buildings no longer in use for commerce or their original purpose.

The ultimate cost of the mayor’s ambitious plan is uncertain now, though in a September news conference Johnston spoke confidently that “we know how to do it with existing resources.” It is expected that the lion’s share of the money will come from that part of the city’s budget dedicated to homelessness.

In announcing his plan, Johnston displayed a chart identifying where the money will go. The biggest portion of the investment go to hotel conversion cost an estimated $18.9 million for hotel conversions, including $5.4 million for leasing; $19.6 million pallet shelters, tiny homes, site preparations and utilities; $4 million for rapid rehousing contracts; $750,000 for outreach, transportation and other related services.

Some critics of Mayor Johnston’s plan argue that placing Denver’s unhoused into more permanent accommodations will only serve to attract similarly challenged men and women now living in other places to come to Denver. Gonzales-Gutierrez thinks that concern is reactionary and unlikely to happen. “I have not seen this,” she said. “My understanding is that people who are unhoused are people who are living there and simply became homeless.”

Not unlike challenges in other cities, a number of Denver’s impromptu encampments have pushed past simple benign ‘crash sites.’ One location at 17th Avenue and Logan Street was swept clear after a shooting. The sweep was followed with offers from the city for services making the relocation a bit less traumatic, including services for mental health care. Not surprisingly, campers occupying the site disputed the official explanation of ‘violence.’

As Johnston campaigned across the city for his current job, homelessness was never far from his speeches. He promised that when his first term as mayor ended, he would have ‘ended homelessness.’ House1000’ is the first leg of his four-year journey. At the end of the first ten days of September, “housing outcomes” had been achieved for 101 individuals. Of that number, a dozen had found “permanent” shelter with family or friends.

Homelessness is not simply a Denver issue, but an American issue. According the the Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were an estimated 582,000 men, women and children who had experienced homelessness in 2022.

One city that has been seen as a model for an aggressive and considerate approach to solving homelessness is Houston. The country’s fourth largest city using a plan similar to what Denver hopes will work for it, moved more than 25,000 people off the streets and into safer, more stable accommodations.

If Denver’s and Mayor Johnston’s approach solves a problem that previous administrations wrestled with but could not quite solve, it will quell serious issues that downtown merchants and businesses along with smaller businesses outside center city have long complained about. That is, that homeless encampments that almost seemed to spring up overnight create health and safety issues as well as impact their bottom lines.