As the war in Ukraine unfolded, Taras Overchuk couldn’t stand watching from his Highlands Ranch home any longer. On March 4, just before he boarded a plane at Denver International Airport, his voice quivered and his breaths deepened as he explained that he would first land in Germany, before flying to Poland, where he would […]
Social Services
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government, Social Services
Moffat County caseworker accused of fabricating child abuse, neglect investigations has been charged with forgery
A Moffat County caseworker accused of fabricating reports to make it seem as if she checked on children who were the subject of abuse and neglect claims is now facing charges of forgery and abuse of public records. Hester Renee Nelms, 43, was under investigation for more than a year by the district attorney’s office […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Equity, Health, Housing, News, Politics and Government, Social Services
As Aurora passes camping ban, some say enforcement money would be better spent on affordable housing
The Aurora City Council passed Mayor Mike Coffman’s urban camping ban, which could take effect as soon as April 28. The unauthorized-camping ordinance passed in a 6-5 vote. The ban will prohibit camping on public property in Aurora. Supporters of the measure have said it is inhumane to allow people who are homeless to live […]
Posted inColoradans, Crime and Courts, Equity, News, Social Services
Youth violence remains a major public health crisis in Aurora. City leaders want to address it with new funding.
Two shootings, at Nome Park and outside Hinkley High School in November, confirmed the suspicions of Aurora leaders who were concerned that youth violence was on the rise. A community survey cemented their concerns with data showing young people in Aurora are increasingly victims, witnesses to or perpetrators of a violent crime. Gang violence, domestic […]
Posted inEquity, Health, Housing, News, Politics and Government, Social Services
Aurora is getting closer to passing an urban camping ban. But will there be enough shelter space for displaced people?
If a new camping ban passes in Aurora later this month, people living outdoors may be removed from the sidewalks and parks where they live, as soon as April 30. Allowing them to continue to live on the streets is inhumane, said some members of the city council who voted in favor of an ordinance […]
Posted inNews
Colorado violates Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Justice Department finds
Colorado has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and a major Supreme Court ruling by “unnecessarily” segregating people with physical disabilities in nursing facilities, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday. The findings, detailed in a letter to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, come after a three-year investigation into the state’s system of care for people with […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy, Equity, Health, Housing, News, Politics and Government, Social Services
One apartment building changing hands sheds light on the dire shortage of affordable housing in Arvada
Gerald Flores lived for almost four years in a one-bedroom apartment at 5840 Carr St. in Arvada. But on Jan. 10, he received a notice that he and three other tenants in the 20-unit building had 30 days to move out. The building had been purchased from the family of Flores’ landlord by investors who […]
Posted inColoradans, Environment, Equity, Health, Housing, News, Politics and Government, Social Services, Wildfire
Marshall fire survivors who didn’t have renter’s insurance now face unique obstacles to recovery
The smell of smoke was seeping into Stephanie Valdez’s Louisville home and she immediately felt ill. The mother of four began packing up some of her belongings, directed her children to do the same, and then all five left their home. “It was like a movie. The wind was blowing really, really hard. There was […]
Posted inColoradans, Equity, Health, Housing, News, Social Services
After COVID delay, metro Denver homelessness survey returns to measure the scope of housing crisis
Life for Rich Schehr is beautiful by day, but rowdy at night. At night is when 61-year-old Schehr, who lives in the back of his truck in a leafy Aurora park, hears drinking and yelling, drug sales and sometimes gunshots. “This is the only place they haven’t kicked me out of,” said Schehr, who has […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government, Social Services
Hundreds of Colorado children are awaiting adoption. State officials are asking for new funding to find them homes.
The list of foster children who legally belong to the state of Colorado has 533 names. Among them is a 15-year-old girl who has lived in 26 places since she went into foster care and became available for adoption at age 10. Another is a 19-year-old man who has spent 226 months – more than […]