׉?ׁB!בCטddu׉׉ 7cassandra://OfxRtB7_HpeHkn0-IM8u50449ZwLuxN7oWSHLEXoXakr`׉ 7cassandra://FKfBrTaI8lCPuk2LgiTomZBuIS13WnYPWJ9NbLjSPrkP`p׉ 7cassandra://xT4ZlCzId7TIKZTFz2cYJlAfmYRG5o52DoKnosuai_0!x`jE=W M׈EjE=W ;׉E$2 JULY 2026 | Vol.31 Issue 7 SUGGESTED SECONDCHANCE STUDENTS PAINT THE FUTURE P.8 VEO PRESERVES MICROMOBILITY IN DENVER P.4 PHOTOGRAPHING VS. TRULY SEEING P. 11 FROM YOUR VENDOR: ׉ 7cassandra://xT4ZlCzId7TIKZTFz2cYJlAfmYRG5o52DoKnosuai_0!x`jE=W <jE=W ; בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://uXCc8TpYygtnB32WLNWtC5JeTqYWeEsTrns8M0t6nEo``w׉ 7cassandra://nWG6V-Rd-iNbnetk7uGfcKKwTcri4KaMFPjMqRJOMiY4`׉ 7cassandra://W0cczMB7QkMz_AuLTGP7nS7Lg7rVB36Qe-BytAwSR-4U`jE=…W PנjE=…W U ̐ 9ׁHmailto:editor@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ ЈנjE=…W T ̞ 9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ ЈנjE=…W S k̐ 9ׁHmailto:editor@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E׉ 7cassandra://W0cczMB7QkMz_AuLTGP7nS7Lg7rVB36Qe-BytAwSR-4U`jE=W =׉EFrom the Executive Director W Giles Clasen is a writer and photographer driven to tell Denver’s often overlooked stories with dignity and care. He serves as executive director of Denver VOICE and has worked with the organization since 2008 as a contributor, board member, and board president. DENVERVOICE. CE. MANAGING EDITOR The Power of Opportunity HEN I STARTED working for the Denver VOICE, we had about 15 active vendors. This made it difficult to justify our existence when we were helping such a small number of people experiencing homelessness earn an income. But those 15 people relied on the Denver VOICE for that money. Without our organization, they had nowhere to turn to replace the income and few prospects. In the past 18 months, we have built our program to where we now have more than 50 active vendors. For each of those individuals, the Denver VOICE is a lifeline they can’t go without. We estimate that we are helping put thousands of dollars into the pockets of individuals experiencing homelessness each month, and we have connected many of our vendors to other homeless services to stabilize their lives. Our journalism has even reached new heights. We won more Top of the Rockies Society of Professional Journalists awards this year than ever before, including a first: three of our unhoused vendors won awards for their columns about homelessness in Denver. We are not only helping individuals earn, but also helping communicate the experiences of those living in the margins in ways no other Colorado media organization can. But we need your help. We’re launching a “Hot 100” initiative to grow our community of recurring donors to 100 by the end of the summer. Recurring donors sustain our work; a reliable source of funding lets us plan, expand our services, and broaden our impact in ways a one-time gift simply can’t. Federal cuts have pushed more organizations toward foundations for grant support, and that ripple effect is being felt by nonprofits like ours. When the whole landscape tightens, everyone competing for foundation support feels it. That’s why your monthly gift carries so much weight right now. Buy the Denver VOICE a cup of coffee every month by setting up a $5 recurring donation today at Colorado Gives. DONATE NOW THROUGH THE - Giles Clasen Executive Director EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT VENDOR PROGRAM ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS VENDOR OFFICE OFFICE HOURS BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR ADMIN. ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS CONTRIBUTORS Elisabeth Monaghan Giles Clasen Andrew Fraieli Madeline Egerton Jennifer Forker Aaron Sullivan Lisa Schlictman Ethan Clark Giles Clasen Joshua Abeyta Mark Bertoldo Donald Burnes Michael Burkley Ethan Clark Robert Davis Wayne Easterling Raelene Johnson Jerry Rosen Khaleigh Reed Jennifer Forker, President Donald Burnes, Vice President Edwin Rapp, Treasurer Isabella Colletti, Secretary Ande Sailer Linda Shapley Lisa Schlichtman editor@denvervoice.org program@denvervoice.org editor@denvervoice.org PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 989 Santa Fe Drive Denver CO 80204 10 a.m. -1 p.m., Wednesdays Since 1996, the Denver VOICE has served individuals experiencing housing or financial instability by providing lowbarrier income opportunities. In the time since our inception, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work, selling the paper throughout the Denver metro area. By focusing on poverty, housing, social justice, local arts and entertainment, and the human experience behind the headlines, we tell the stories that Denver media often overlook. An award-winning publication, the Denver VOICE is a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics. TO HELP, YOU CAN: GET THE WORD OUT: NA THE WORD O VOLUNTEER: DONATE @ DVERTISE: OUT: OUT denvervoice. org org@denverVOICE SUBSCRIBE @ UBSCRIBE @ THE COVER: Students at Prep Academy work on mural for their school with help from artists Andreas Kremer and Reina Luna. PHOTO BY GILES CLASEN DENVER VOICE JULY 2026 3 ABOUT US jE=W >jE=W = בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://F-3WmcwFGolXmyixhJrrQz71akZqXiMpQWI4ZoSxeRs``w׉ 7cassandra://BfOoyJ1o59nu4I59tq2-FjgsRPusowkBhqkuMcnhvDc'`׉ 7cassandra://zXBKepwihSwewz16fzhhpi_cA-K3HBjPA7cgfqWBRdME^`jE=…W V׉ELVEO PRESERVES MICROMOBILITY FOR ALL IN DENVER MICROMOBILITY PROGRAMS have been a lifeline for Daniel Kalne. Kalne became homeless in 2024 after he and his girlfriend broke up and he moved out of their shared apartment. Afterward, Kalne relied on Lime scooters for transportation until he could get a car. Kalne logged 526 miles over 403 rides using the Lime program and said he signed up for Veo’s program as soon as he possibly could. But his micromobility journey didn’t stop there. Even when he had a car, Kalne sometimes used scooters to save money on gas. “We live in an urban infrastructure that is built around cars, that is built around having a personal vehicle,” Kalne said. “And when you don’t have that, the struggle is real. You’ve got to trudge very, very, very far to meet your essential needs. And having those scooters was critical to making all of that so much easier.” When Denver made the decision to kick micromobility companies Bird and Lime out of the city, some people experiencing homelessness like Kalne worried that they would lose access to a low-cost and reliable transportation option. That was until Denver’s new micromobility partner—Veo— came to town. People earning low-to-no income can access Veo’s mobility services through the Veo Access program. Riders who enroll in the program receive an hour of free rides per day with no limit on the number of rides. Riders can also unlock additional time for $0.15 per minute compared to the $1 unlock fee and $0.25 per minute charged to other riders. To qualify for Veo’s program, participants must submit a Story by Robert Davis and Giles Clasen Colorado-issued photo ID showing proof of address. They must also submit proof of participation in a federal or state public assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicare or Medicaid, or a housing voucher program. Riders previously enrolled in the Bird or Lime low-income ridership programs can also qualify. Last year, Lime estimated Daniel Kalne rides his rented Veo around Sloan’s Lake. | Photo by Giles Clasen 4 COMMUNITY PROFILE ׉ 7cassandra://zXBKepwihSwewz16fzhhpi_cA-K3HBjPA7cgfqWBRdME^`jE=W ?׉E:that about 15,000 people were subscribed to their low-income access program. If someone doesn’t have a smartphone, they can also contact Veo’s call or text line to unlock the bikes and scooters, and there is a way for people without bank accounts to pay as well. Nathan Pope, the shared bike and scooter program manager at DOTI, told Denver City Council in March that Denver’s priority during the transition between providers is to ensure people who were signed up for Bird and Lime’s low-income access programs get switched over as soon as possible. “Those are the folks that we are going to be prioritizing,” Pope said. Kalne guesses he was among the first to sign up for Veo’s lowincome access program because he didn’t want to lose access to the scooters, even for a short period. He added that micromobility options helped him save time and energy when getting food, accessing other resources, or going to job interviews. Sometimes, Kalne would spend an hour walking to get food when he was homeless, and the constant walking was exhausting. Veo estimated that it processed more than 51,000 low-income ridership applications across its markets in 2025. Alexander Keating, Veo’s vice president of policy and partnerships, told City Council that the company is investing in expanding its technical and staffing capacity to streamline the application process. Veo was selected as Denver’s new micromobility partner after the thousands of dockless bikes and scooters from Bird and Lime caused an uproar. They were initially deployed in the city without authorization, leading to strife between city leadership and the companies, Denverite reported. That experience informed Denver’s approach to crafting its micromobility laws, which now allow the city to fine the companies for rider behavior and require them to offer subsidized rides for low-income riders. Denver announced plans to replace Bird and Lime with Veo in December 2025 and approved a three-year agreement with the company in late April 2026. Veo—which operates in markets spanning from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.—has deployed a fleet of over 7,200 electric bikes and scooters, with plans to ramp up to about 9,000 vehicles by the end of summer. Kalne said Veo’s program works well, though he noted some tradeoffs. According to Kalne, Lime’s program allowed three rides a day, each lasting up to 30 minutes. But each ride required a break, and if the rides were short 10-minute trips, the day’s limit was reached. Veo offers a single 60-minute daily pass. Kalne found Veo’s structure more forgiving in practice, since shorter trips don’t eat into a ride cap as much as they did with Lime. Three quick 10-minute rides under Veo still leave 30 minutes available for the day. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure estimates that micromobility options like Veo’s bikes and scooters can also reduce the number of vehicle trips on Denver’s roads by up to 15,000 a day. At the peak of summer, it can shave off as many as 40,000 car trips, according to DOTI. Micromobility options are also a vital mode of transit for people experiencing homelessness. A 2025 study conducted by Denver Streets Partnership found that people who are homeless frequently use micromobility options to get to appointments, housing opportunities, and job interviews. Dockless bikes and scooters can also help people who are homeless safely travel through some of Denver’s most dangerous corridors for walking and biking, such as Colfax and W. Evans Ave. “Increasing general micromobility access across Denver would be beneficial for countless unhoused community members,” the report reads in part. “Specifically, increasing the amount of micromobility devices at and near crucial destinations for unhoused community members is needed immediately.” Kalne has found housing, secured a job, and owns a car. He still uses Veo’s services when necessary, and he enjoys the small luxury of riding the scooters to get outside and relax. The scooters offer him a low-cost form of entertainment as he continues to rebuild his life. “I have a vehicle now, but I was kind of feeling down in dire straits tonight, and I just stopped by Sloan Lake to ride around the park and have a good time and view the sunset and feel better,” Kalne said. DENVER VOICE If someone doesn’t have a smartphone, they can contact Veo’s call or text line to unlock the bikes and scooters. | Photo by Giles Clasen Dockless scooters can help unhoused individuals safely travel through some of Denver’s most dangerous corridors for walking and biking. | Photo by Giles Clasen JULY 2026 5 jE=W @jE=W ? בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://1e9_N12G4_11oj2PUBGKikZ3d2ZYj7byei1s8Bqosg0g.``w׉ 7cassandra://S85HOCMaDslLJGIwtnP3JeWne_hFqiTbAt9zHKvt1dQi`׉ 7cassandra://ARkx7sURNzjAq4ZTHy4gqgQ0ScmAO8Xf5Anlj9w5qvcC`jE=…W XנjE=ÅW ^ 89ׁHhttp://INSP.ngׁ ׁ Ј׉ErTYLER LINDGREN DOULA OF HOPES AND DREAMS TYLER LINDGREN is a Swiss Army Knife in Denver’s DIY music scene, shifting his shape to fit the needs of the artists he’s working with to help them realize their dreams. If you are active in the Denver music scene, you are likely to be familiar with Lindgren’s work, even if you don’t know who Tyler Lindgren is, and he likes it JOSHUA ABEYTA DENVER VOICE MUSIC REPORTER that way. “As a record producer or mixer, I don’t jump out of the curtain. I’m not ‘the band,’” Lindgren said. “I’m not the guy that’s doing interviews. I’m not getting attention. I’m a little tiny note on the [record], and I love to serve in that stewardship role.” Lindgren’s do-it-yourself ethos began early. He described his developmental years as being in “the shadow of a scene,” playing in a few different teenage punk bands with the support of his parents. Lindgren invested in Pro Tools, the industry-standard recording software, and began to experiment by recording his friend’s bands for free. After five years of doing it himself, Lindgren began to pursue music engineering more seriously, first by enrolling at The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Phoenix. “I finally realized I needed an education to just really know why I am compressing this, or how is the EQ working, or how would I work a tape machine if I wanted to use one, so I went to school,” he said. Soon after, Lindgren made the big jump to the West Coast music mecca, Los Angeles, where he found himself learning and working in the Long Beach/SoCal music scene. There, he became close with the late Ikey Owens, before his untimely death in 2014. Owens was a beloved underground music legend who was a founding member of The Mars Volta and played with notable acts such as The Aquabats, Slightly Stoopid, Long Beach Dub Allstars, and Jack White. Owens introduced Lindgren to Gregg Ziemba, a member of Rubedo and Wheelchair Sports Camp, and co-founder of Denver’s Unit E Records with Thadeaous Mighell. Lindgren, Owens, and Ziemba began to work closely on multiple projects while cementing the bonds between the Long Beach and Denver DIY music scenes. In LA, Lindgren sharpened his skills alongside some of the music industry’s finest talents and eventually made his way back to his hometown to collaborate more closely with Unit E artists and the Denver network at large. He has since produced records for homegrown talent, like Machete Mouth, featured in the June issue of the Denver VOICE, as well as Lewis Turner, Cherokee Social, Graveyard Choir, the new project from Nate and Eric from In The Whale, and this writer’s own project, lil piñon. In addition to his work behind the mixing board, Lindgren is also an accomplished drummer, and he finds that the two skills often overlap. “So, I played drums and produced with Milk Blossoms and have been doing that for probably four years now. We did a record where I [produced] and played drums on the record, and they’re like, ‘Hey, you wanna be in this band?’ That happens a lot, which I’m very grateful for.” As is his deferential nature, he mentioned his own project almost as a footnote. “And then I just wrapped my ‘metal band making fun of metal bands’ called Goblin Cock. That’ll be coming out this fall, that’s pretty fun.” On top of creating industry-standard recordings and providing drumming services when needed, Lindgren also prides himself on making his services financially accessible and on helping artists with wraparound professional development, thanks to his years of industry experience. “I love doing the work. I love the process of recording. I love 6 COLUMN Tyler Lindgren drums in too many bands to count. Photo by Kevin Kirchner the process of helping an artist try to get their point across or learning what that is. I’ve learned so much just from watching other people do their thing and just being in that kind of doula place,” he said. Lindgren is known for his willingness to meet artists where they are financially, with a sliding scale. “It’s just… what’s your budget? And then, alright, how much time is this gonna take, and how involved is this gonna be? In bigger records, or in movies, there’s someone called a line budgeter or a line producer that literally just runs the budget, hires people, and focuses on that so that they hit their marks. I try to guide people through that process, as well, so that the things that they wanna accomplish and the people they want on there are not only being paid equitably but are being treated equitably. It’s not only just a discount, but I try to teach and listen as much as humanly possible in that process.” So many musicians credit Lindgren’s thoughtful, thorough approach with helping them record professional-quality albums, develop industry soft skills, and make connections they might not have otherwise. Among the musicians who have benefited from Lindgren’s guidance is Unit E’s Thadeaous Mighell, who said “For as long as I’ve been serving Denver’s creative community, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Tyler Lindgren,” he said. “His unwavering support of EVERYONE, regardless of their ability, experience, background, or budget, speaks to his well-earned, guru-like persona. And for this, Denverites are infinitely lucky. Without Tyler, countless stories, voices, and pieces of art that document our history and inspire future generations would be lost. To me, Tyler is perhaps the most dedicated archivist, historian, anthropologist, and caretaker of our little slice of time and place.” You can learn more about Tyler Lindgren and his work at his website: https://a-void.audio. ׉ 7cassandra://ARkx7sURNzjAq4ZTHy4gqgQ0ScmAO8Xf5Anlj9w5qvcC`jE=W A׉ErALL THE EMPTY ROOMS Story by Charlotte Smith WALKING INTO DOMINIC’S BEDROOM, carefully taking off his shoes, photographer Lou Bopp is overwhelmed by the amount of SpongeBob paraphernalia around — toys, posters, and figurines on the 14-year-old’s shelves. A picture of the character hangs on the wall, with a message below, written by the young boy’s classmate, “Fly High, Dom”. The last time Dominic woke up here was back in 2019, when he got dressed, went downstairs, headed to Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, and never came home. For years, Bopp has been taking photos of the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings in the United States. Around eight years ago, Bopp was about to board a flight when a friend and journalist, Steve Hartman, contacted him with the idea to document these spaces. The journalist is known for feel-good news stories and Bopp for his commercial photography, so the project marked a dramatic tonal shift for both creators. “I did not think it was going to happen,” Bopp says, “because Lou Bopp photographing the empty bedroom of a child that eventually become part of the short film All the Empty Rooms of the criteria that we needed: first, the children being killed at a school shooting; second, the rooms had to be, for the most part, untouched; and, third, we had to find families that would be willing to open the doors and trust us.” Ultimately, eight families signed on to the project, with the final four featuring in the short film All the Empty Rooms (2025). It would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short at this year’s Oscars. “All eight of them, all the four couples, were there, and it was amazing,” says Bopp, reflecting on the night. “I sat with them, and it was emotional.” The photographer says that these families were so appreciative of the chance to memorialize their children and create a time capsule of who they were before being taken in one of the cruelest ways imaginable. “It was so difficult, but in a weird way, there was also a lot of hope surrounding this,” Bopp shares, detailing the care and respect that developed between the crew and the families. “There couldn’t have been one element of any weirdness or distrust. It was just a lot of trust and a lot of love.” That love is evident each time Bopp enters a child’s room — shoes off, no flashy equipment, a calm perusal of the room before he begins taking photos. “I had a number of goals, but one of them was not to go in with lights — no flashes, no strobes, no hot lights, no tripod. I didn’t touch anything.” You wouldn’t need to rummage through any of these rooms anyway to see proof of how lived-in and full of life they still are: twinkly lights, makeup, and posters on the walls, as well as more mundane details like baskets of dirty laundry and glasses of water on bedside tables. Some traces feel so intimate, it’s as though the inhabitants might walk back into the room at any moment. “There are brushes with hair in them and just little details, like the hairbands on the doorknob that one of the children left. You could just see her coming in the door, taking the little hairband out of her hair and putting it on one side.” US reports consistently find that gun-related violence continues to be the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, with students of color being disproportionately represented. It’s hard to imagine a shift occurring in a country that treats this reality as the status quo – that did not respond after the likes of Columbine and Sandy Hook – but Bopp remains hopeful. “If lawmakers could stand in these bedrooms for a minute, it would speak volumes,” Bopp believes. “I think it would move people. I think it would help to create change.” All the Empty Rooms puts a face, and a place, to the names of children who are now gone — children like Dominic, who had a loud personality and love of SpongeBob. “At some point, there has to be a tipping point,” Bopp insists. “If this film can contribute to that tipping point — great.” Courtesy of The Big Issue Australia / INSP.ngo DENVER VOICE NEWS 7 jE=W BjE=W A בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://hZLi_wQMmxOfdck4YE57vyp5NZ5nvkNAgRIInyCMwEM``w׉ 7cassandra://Pob_YwJqy4JBFRdRHyHM9qoFHGDqN_NvgT55kY8cQyE`׉ 7cassandra://lI6e5P199QX4i2nXqxGyeHr7Ha2U9eAzCSUEuhKRgUYS `jE=…W [׉EhAndreas Kremer and Reina Luna, students, and faculty posing in front of the completed mural on May 26 8 ׉ 7cassandra://lI6e5P199QX4i2nXqxGyeHr7Ha2U9eAzCSUEuhKRgUYS `jE=W C׉EhDREAMS ARE FOR REAL' Second-chance students paint the future REALITY IS WRONG, Story by Ethan Clark 9 ' jE=W DjE=W C בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://hNfBG46elsJSRxWlhl7-wuR9sWEG_OEoKAfG6wAcz9E ``w׉ 7cassandra://-tSxzTSiAmzQ_P3sl58xn_0hBEU9QtvVXv0Xjtudjpg`׉ 7cassandra://c0jdBthiIZ5REOqnehyJODsDuM79vfqs34nTe4_LERsH`jE=ÅW _׉EN A WALL AT THE CORNER of 27th Avenue and Columbine Street, a bulldog wears a gold chain surrounded by a mandala bursting with color. In front is a quote, in bold letters, from rapper Tupac Shakur: “Reality is wrong, dreams are for real.” This is the work of students at Prep Academy, an alternative high school outside City Park for students who don’t fit the traditional school model. Throughout the Spring 2026 semester, they worked with Denver-based artists Andreas Kremer and Reina Luna to design and paint a massive 100-foot mural representing what their school means to them — and in the process, sparked a conversation within the community that changed how everyone involved, including the artists, saw the project. One day, while the artists and students were painting the mural, a woman walking her dog stopped to tell them that she found the quote offensive, even “woke.” Kremer said he appreciated hearing the woman’s feedback, even if it was negative, as it opened a dialogue about what the school is and what the quote means to the students who chose it. “This school is giving these kids a second chance since a lot of them were kicked out of other public schools,” he told her. “We felt it really connected to the school because it’s showing them that their reality was wrong and they’re able to have a second chance and make their dreams real.” Kremer never expected to see the woman again, but she came back later that day. She still didn’t like the quote, but reflecting on their conversation changed her perspective — appreciating that the kids had the chance to paint the mural and that the school gave them the chance to change their lives for the better. DESIGNING THE MURAL This mural was the product of a workshop hosted by Kremer and Luna at Prep Academy, giving students an opportunity to engage with an art medium they likely would not have access to otherwise, by painting a mural on a large 100-foot wall wrapping around the corner of the intersection. Kremer and Luna gave the students the freedom to craft the mural’s design, starting with a rough draft and helping them flesh out the details. “We showed the students our rough draft of the mural and explained why we decided to design the mural this way,” Luna said. “We encouraged them to implement any elements or ideas they wish to incorporate into the mural.” When the workshop got underway in March, Kremer and Luna helped the students brainstorm and sketch ideas and encouraged them to focus on what they valued in their lives. During the first few weeks of the workshop, the students came up with a lot of ideas and themes, including money, independence, the future, growth, the city of Denver, and the school itself. Eventually, the final design emerged, separating the mural into two segments. The first section features the bulldog mascot wearing a gold chain, next to a butterfly and flowers, in front of a mandala and the iconic Tupac quote. According to Kremer and Luna, the butterfly and flowers represent the growth and change the students experience at Prep Academy, while the mandala’s vibrant colors and distinct shapes represent the school’s diversity and how the students’ differing backgrounds and experiences can work together to create something beautiful. The other side of the mural pays tribute to the students’ love for the city and state they call home, featuring Denver’s prominent skyline at the base of the towering peaks and vibrant forests of the Rocky Mountains. Rising from the mountains like the sun is a smaller mandala with the distinctive “C” of the Colorado state flag. The last part of the mural shows a plane taking off from DIA, whisking the students away to the life of their dreams. LEAVING AN IMPRESSION By the time the mural was unveiled on May 26, it had left its mark on the students, artists, and the surrounding community. Kremer and Luna declared this piece a huge success, calling it their most intricate mural. “There were a lot of questions going into it about how it was “Reality is Wrong” front view of mural at Prep Academy| Photo by Giles Clasen going to go, but it turned out pretty awesome,” Kremer said. The students also enjoyed the opportunity to create this mural. In anonymous survey responses submitted to Kremer and Luna, many expressed how much they enjoyed working on the project. “My favorite part was doing the design and adding the details,” one student wrote. “It made me feel good about doing art again, especially as we got to design it the way we wanted it.” “It made me feel more open to try new things out and to take your time on things,” another student wrote. Looking back on their exchange with the woman walking her dog, Kremer and Luna believe the mural sparked a conversation outside the school as well. “I thought it was pretty cool that she was able to say that to us because she could’ve just disliked it and walked past us and not said anything,” Luna said, “but she felt called to say something and share that.… It’s not an easy thing to tell someone to their face, ‘I don’t like that,’ so I thought it was cool that she did that.” On a building that stands for second chances is the manifestation of the dreams of kids deemed unfit for traditional education, a woman challenging her beliefs, and a splash of color in the Skyland neighborhood that catches the attention of people passing by Prep Academy. Most importantly, it’s a mural that represents how an elusive dream became a future that students can claim as their own. 10 COMMUNITY PROFILE ׉ 7cassandra://c0jdBthiIZ5REOqnehyJODsDuM79vfqs34nTe4_LERsH`jE=W E׉EOBEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPH Story by Khaleigh Reed A FEW YEARS AGO, Stephen Swofford was working as a photographer for “The Gazette” newspaper in Pueblo, Colorado. One day, while driving home from work, Swofford noticed a man standing in what he described as “really beautiful light.” Swofford stopped his car, took a photograph of the man, then walked over to introduce himself. While Swofford has a wide range of experience in photography, this situation was different. According to Swofford, when he asked if he could use the image, the man immediately declined. “I told him, ‘Hey, that’s no problem,’” but instead of leaving it at that, the two men started talking. The man described the challenges he was facing, such as his recent move to town and his struggles after being incarcerated. “He said he just felt invisible,” Swofford said. After nearly an hour of talking, Swofford said he understood he “just made [the man] feel seen.” Before he left, the man told his name and agreed to let Swofford publish the photograph of him. Swofford has documented communities throughout Colorado, using photography to tell breaking stories. A photojournalist, whose career spans nearly 20 years, Swofford explained that not only is it his responsibility to ensure objectivity, but also to actively represent people for who they are, not how they are framed. The interaction with the man he had photographed made Swofford think about what is often overlooked in journalism: trust. A 2022 paper on how the media represents homelessness and unhoused individuals reflects many of those same patterns Swofford described. In “Faceless, Nameless, Invisible: A Visual Content Analysis of Photographs in U.S. Media Coverage About Homelessness,” co-written by Elizabeth Bowen, Ph.D., and Nicole Capozzielo, Ph.D., the authors found that photographs of those presumed to be unhoused often featured homelessness paraphernalia (e.g., tents, shopping carts). While Swofford said he could cover breaking news or features with more empathy and effort, his goal has always remained the same: to tell the truth and treat people with dignity. “I think the most important bit is just treating them like you treat anybody else,” he said. Swofford stated that photographers can fall into the habit of focusing on a person’s circumstances rather than their humanity, which is why he believes it is especially important, when photographing vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, to treat them like they do anyone else. “They can often sort of just become an object to photograph,” he said. “You have to remember, they are [not just subjects]. These are actual people.” When reporting on various communities, trust can be difficult to earn because many people have been portrayed in ways they felt were unfair, exploitative, or incomplete. “I think it’s hard, or it can be difficult, to earn the trust of these vulnerable populations,” Swofford said. For him, building trust starts with treating people as equals. “You’re not there to tell your story and use them for it or anything. You’re not telling a biased story. You’re there to find the truth,” he said. That approach also helps address another challenge journalists face: personal bias. DENVER VOICE JULY 2026 Daniel Teitsort and his dog, Penny, look up the hill as they wait for Daniel’s girlfriend to come to their new camp after being forced from their old site at 38th and Fox in Denver by a police sweep in June 2024. | Photo by Stephen Swofford Swofford said he regularly examines his own reactions while working in the field. “If I start to feel uncomfortable, then I always take a little moment to do some introspection and figure out why I’m feeling uncomfortable,” he said. Sometimes that discomfort is a sign of danger. Other times, he said, the discomfort can reveal assumptions or perspectives that need to be challenged. “You have to get out of your bubble,” he said. “Just expose yourself to other ways of living.” The same attention to detail continues when he reviews photographs after an assignment. According to Swofford, photographers can unintentionally create misleading images simply through framing. A photograph may technically be accurate while still presenting a false impression. “If a guy’s having fun with his friends, that’s the truth of the moment,” Swofford said. “Cropping his friends out turns that into a lie.” In situations like that, Swofford said that photographers have a responsibility to represent events honestly rather than creating narratives that weren’t there. “I think it’s easy to lose sight of that objectivity,” he said. Still, Swofford said that he believes reputable news organizations work hard to remain fair and accurate in their reporting. And to ensure that journalists or photojournalists tell the truth with dignity. “Let their humanity shine through,” Swofford said. “I think that’s how you remove exploitation.” He added, “It comes back to respecting their agency.” “A photograph can’t change the world, but it can show the world a reason to change,” Swofford said. 11 jE=W FjE=W E בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://y1Ls_TLSaD07Xk9mYEBqsAtsFfFqLrFsVbPguihfb14(/``w׉ 7cassandra://9U5Y1KzwnWm1FHtxe9lyEY54qEK2tGrcsDOz6OEqeNEc`׉ 7cassandra://CV-A64QcKjwa1dOubayqZV8eNrqCiZm_oeEpH8XCVd4S`jE=ÅW bנjE=ąW i>%9ׁHhttp://denvervoice.org/donateׁ ׁ Ј׉E IN YOUR OWN WORDS Words from our vendors on their life and times, what they’re thinking and feelings, for their neighbors to know and share. Time Flies by Fast, So Slow Down! WHEN WE’RE YOUNG, it’s hard to imagine time slipping away from us, but in the blink of an eye, time has moved on. A person goes from being a young child learning about the world around them and thinking they have all kinds of time. Then, before they know it, they’re a senior citizen, looking back on their lives and wondering, “Where did the time go?” As you read this, I hope you can enjoy the age that you are now RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR and make the most out of your life. Get help if you need it. Take time to appreciate the beauty of nature and the outdoors. Learn how to slow down before you suddenly discover that you’re old, and time has passed too quickly, because before long, you’ll be gone. (I hope that when I’m gone, there will be people who will remember me for my inspiration to them, the words that I could share of kindness instead of hatred. I can’t change how my life went from all the pain and sorrows I had from a young child to midlife, but I can certainly enjoy my life now and enjoy the peace in my heart today!) I hope my children, grandchildren, and great-grandbabies can appreciate each moment of their lives. I hope they can learn to find peace and not accept what the internet tells them about themselves, cuz there’s nothing like human connection to make us feel happy to be able to talk to somebody real! I hope that younger generations will have the energy and take the time to help the older generations get back on the right track of accepting one another, no matter each person’s background. I also hope that, no matter what age people are, they can all learn to think for themselves, love themselves, and truly value having others around them who are likeminded! It is so hard to believe how quickly time has gone by, and how much the world has changed in the nearly-70 years that I’ve been on this Earth! I pray that positive changes will come before too much time has passed. (If you don’t pay attention to what’s going on, you’ll be in a position that you don’t want to be in!) Always know where you’re going, always know where you want to be, and always be careful about who’s trying to take you away from your path in life! DONATE And help the Denver VOICE help your neighbors. denvervoice.org/donate 12 COLUMN ׉ 7cassandra://CV-A64QcKjwa1dOubayqZV8eNrqCiZm_oeEpH8XCVd4S`jE=W G׉EaHomelessness Around Denver and Colorado At-Large IN MAY, THE METRO DENVER Homelessness Initiative issued two reports important on homelessness in the Denver metro area and across Colorado. DONALD BURNES VICE PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS DENVER VOICE The first report, “Colorado’s State of Homelessness Report 2026,” was compiled from data in the Colorado Homelessness Management Information System. The second focused on results from the Point-InTime survey conducted in late January. The results of these two reports were a bit surprising because, compared with past increases, there seems to be a leveling off overall. COLORADO STATE OF HOMELESSNESS REPORT Since the state report has more information and covers all of 2025, I want to focus on it in this month’s column. In 2025, 53,776 people experienced homelessness (PEH). Compared to the final count in 2024, there was a .7% decrease in overall numbers. There is more data from this report worth mentioning. People of Color, including those who are Indegenous or Black, continue to be substantially overrepresented in the numbers of PEH. For example, the percentage of Black people experiencing homelessness is about 3.5 times the comparable percentage in the general population. Youth homelessness is more than 10% higher than it was last year. The number of family households increased by 12.1%, while families now represent 37.6% of all persons served, and they make up the vast majority (69.2%) of households in homelessness prevention programs.” People aged 62 and older now account for 10% of the total PEH population. As the report indicates, “Our current emergency shelter infrastructure was not originally designed for the complex needs of older adults…. Increasing rates of cognitive decline require specialized, low-stress environments that standard congregate shelter settings cannot always provide.” THE STATEWIDE RESPONSE Although the report identified factors that affected our ability to respond to the statewide homelessness issue, two stood out: First is the housing affordability gap. According to the report, “housing affordability remains the primary driver of homelessness. A statewide shortage of affordable and family-sized units creates a ‘bottleneck,’ making it difficult for individuals to exit the system even when they have a housing voucher in hand.” The second is rising eviction pressures. The report states: “Rising eviction filings in 2025 are a direct contributor to system inflow. This economic pressure is pushing families and individuals into the response system for the first time, often overwhelming emergency resources. Evictions are often the result of the inability to pay rent or rent increases that are outpacing wage growth.” According to the report, between 2023 and 2025, eviction filings increased by 58.7%. Throughout the state, agencies and organizations have developed a wide variety of programs to offset the impact of housing affordability, rising eviction pressures, and other barriers that force people into homelessness or prevent them from moving into housing. According to the state report, the various programs and projects around the state impacted 27,448 people. Unfortunately, programs and services across the state had no impact on over 26,000 PEH. Toward the end of the report, there is a statement in bold: “Colorado’s homelessness response strategies are working, but they are currently operating at a fraction of the scale required to resolve the crisis. To build on the progress made in 2025, we must pivot from crisis management to sustained housing investment.” CONCLUSION The total number of PEH appears to have leveled off substantially, at least compared with the last several years of steady, significant increases. However, increases in youth homelessness and among those 62 and older may be adding pressure to upgrade services. Budget deficits won’t help with that. The steady increase in eviction filings is also a great cause for concern, as our ability to help offset some of those evictions will be limited due to budget concerns. Finally, the deficit in housing bed capacity is significant. While not well fleshed out, Mayor Mike Johnston’s $100 million housing proposal, as presented to the Denver City Council, was an important step forward. For that plan to fail in a city that has regularly approved such initiatives suggests that support for major improvements in how homelessness is addressed may be weakening. Doesn’t all of this promote the need to change the narrative? Isn’t it imperative that we persuade more of our fellow citizens to understand that our unhoused brothers and sisters are really our brothers and sisters? Don’t they deserve the same kind of safe, stable, secure housing that most of us have? Everybody is someone’s somebody. Donald Burnes has co-authored four books on poverty and homelessness, and has studied poverty and homelessness-related issues and policies for more than 40 years. Burnes joined the Denver VOICE board of directors in June of 2025. He received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and a PhD from Columbia University Teachers’ College. PUZZLES PUZZLES COURTESY OF STREET WISE 1 14 17 20 23 28 33 36 40 42 49 53 56 61 64 ACROSS 1. Astronaut’s insignia 5. ___-Seltzer 9. Sand bar 14. Bon ___ (Grammywinning indie band) 15. Demographic aft er Millennials, for short 16. Paint layers 17. Dry as dust 18. Hoot 19. More than unpopular 20. Button alternative 23. Nanny 24. Ease 28. Originally named 29. Contender 32. Corporate combination 33. No-goodnik 35. Skincare brand 36. Questioned aft er the fact 40. “To the best of my memory,” in a text 41. Remove the smell from, say 42. Volunteer, e.g. 45. Mete (out) 46. Masthead VIPs 49. Arranged neatly 51. Emphatic denial 53. Device used to fi nd buried bombs 56. ___ Island National Monument 59. Algebra or trig 60. Conceal 61. Flinch, say 62. Purple smoothie ingredient 63. Chapters of history 64. Face coverings 65. Aft er-bath powder 66. Many wines DOWN 1. Maxima maker 2. Street crosser 3. Colorful wrap 4. Pancake of the Southwest 5. Farming-related 6. Luau souvenirs 7. Result of a tie? 8. Montezuma, for one 9. Plot 10. Rime 11. Bit in a horse’s mouth 12. Certain pasttense verb that’s an anagram of the same verb in present tense 13. Kind of trip 21. Police, in slang 22. ___ de guerre 25. Look up and down 26. Irregular verb spelled the same but pronounced diff erently in the past and present tenses 27. Have a go at 30. “Never ___ sentence with a preposition” 31. Infl exible 33. Name in the spice aisle 34. Continental currency 36. Pen or ten follower 37. “Cogito, ___ sum” 38. Relating to the earliest part of the Stone Age 39. Glove material 40. Exiled Amin 43. Keats and others 44. Room with an easy chair 46. Total 47. Th ingamabob 48. Emphasize 50. Prepare to frame again 52. Yellowish shade 54. Immigration policy for DREAMers 55. Footnote abbr. 56. “Uhh...” 57. Grazing ground 58. 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This column is a place for Denver VOICE vendors to respond to questions from fellow vendors, our readers, and staff. RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR I’ve gone from being homeless to having my own home. Vending the VOICE helps me pay my bills and get further than I ever thought I could. I’m able to have a car and other things that I couldn’t have if I received only my Social Security disability payments. MICHAEL BURKLEY DENVER VOICE VENDOR WAYNE EASTERLING DENVER VOICE VENDOR Vending the paper has given me the independence to work on my own time. I make my own hours, and it’s a steady enough job that I can pay my bills, buy food, and get from place to place. Because of my work as a vendor, I was able to set up a checking account. I’m at the point now where I want to buy a car and am saving up for that. The Denver VOICE has also helped me realize what stability is, and the staff makes vendors feel like family. Vending the Denver VOICE is a reminder that you can’t keep a good man down. Having the ability to earn an income is a blessing. Having this job has made it possible for me to open a checking account. It has also given me stability in my life. Vending the Denver VOICE has given me inspiration, motivating me to achieve, to succeed, and to strive to get ahead. MARK BERTOLDO DENVER VOICE VENDOR JERRY ROSEN DENVER VOICE VENDOR As an independent contractor for the VOICE, I have my own business and work when I need to. The work has given me the initiative to do many things. I’ve been doing really well fi nancially, thanks to the generous tips I’ve received from VOICE readers and the savings I’ve been able to set aside. Vending the VOICE has also given me stability in many areas of my life. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments! If you would like to help out a specifi c vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code to make a payment through Venmo. Thank you! SUMMER Wishlist Drop-offs are accepted Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or by appointment. GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: • Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) • Men’s hoodies or light jackets (sizes L, XL, XXL) • Women’s hoodies or light jackets (sizes M, L, XL) • Fold-up umbrellas • Backpacks or carrier bags • Sleeping bags NEW ITEMS NEEDED: • Socks • Toiletries (individual or travel-size) • Baseball caps • Chapstick, sunscreen • Bottled water If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! @DenverVOICE 14 ׉ 7cassandra://n-q9-G3DVlENGeQy4mQQt2fzO-o3t_E-4sulFqqY1NkLA`jE=W I׉E(RESOURCE LIST MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / DENTAL SERVICES ACS COMMUNITY LIFT: 5045 W. 1st Ave., Denver; https:// rentassistance.org DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER: 777 Bannock St.; https://www. denverhealth.org DETOX LOCAL: Features information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community; http://www.detoxlocal.com DRUG REHAB USA: Addiction hotline - 888-479-0446; Organizations that take Medicaid: http://www.drugrehabus.org/rehabs/ treatment/medicaid/united-states/colorado/denver HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 112 E. 8th Ave.; 303-572-7800; HIV/Hep C/ Gonorrhea/ Chlamydia testing available. Services are restricted to active IV Drug Users. Offers clean syringes to active users, as well as safety training on proper disposal of dirty syringes; M-F — 9am-12pm: http://www.harmreductionactioncenter.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER: 3800 York St.; Emergency walk-ins - 303296-1767; Dental — 303-296-4873; M-F - 8am-2pm LIVER HEALTH CONNECTION: 1325 S. Colorado Blvd.; Suite B302; Resources and support for those affected by Hep C. Free Hep C testing offered; 800-522-4372, 800-359-9272; info@hepcconnection.org; https://www.viventhealth.org NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE: 800-342-AIDS/800-344-7432 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Text or call 988; https:// www.988lifeline.org NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE: 800-RUNAWAY/800-786-2929; https:// www.1800runaway.org RAPE ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK: 800-656-HOPE; https:// www.rainn.org SALUD CLINIC: 6255 Quebec Pkwy, Commerce City; 303-697-2583, 970-484-0999; https://www.saludclinic.org/commerce-city STOUT STREET CLINIC: 2130 Stout St.; 303-293-2220; Clinic hours for new and established patients - M, T, Th, F - 7am-4pm, W - 9am6pm; https://www.coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB GUIDE: HELPLINE — 888-493-4670; https://www.detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ U.S. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 800-799-7233 (English and Spanish); 800-243-7889 (TDD); https://www.thehotline.org EMERGENCY SHELTER INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF SHELTER ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO TO “FRONT DOOR” SHELTER ACCESS POINTS: • For individual men — Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St. • For individual women — Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St. • For youth ages 15-20 — Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St. • Families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366. ADDITIONALLY, DENVER PARKS AND RECREATION WILL OPEN ALL CURRENTLY OPERATING RECREATION CENTERS AS DAYTIME WARMING CENTERS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS ON FRIDAY, NOV. 8 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 9, FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED A PLACE TO WARM UP. Denver Public Library locations are also available during regular business hours. Double-check library hours: denverlibrary.org/ locations. For more information about shelter access, visit denvergov.org/ findshelter or text INDOORS to 67283 for updates. DROP-IN DAYTIME CENTERS HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; Mon.-Fri. 7am1pm. Private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch, etc; https:// www.thoh.org THE GATHERING PLACE: 1535 High St.; 303-321-4198; Mon., Wed.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm, Tues. 8:30am-1:30pm; Daytime drop-in center for women, their children, and transgender individuals; Meals, computer lab, phones, food bank, clothing, art programs, GED tutoring, referrals to other services, etc; https://www.tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 231 East Colfax; Mon.-Fri. 9am12pm; 303-572-7800; Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harm-reduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes; https://www. harmreductionactioncenter.org LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER: 2222 Lawrence St.; 303-2940157; day facility, laundry, showers, restrooms, access to services FOR INDIVIDUALS IN DENVER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR FINANCIAL INSTABILITY. DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCE-LIST https://www.homelessassistance.us/li/lawrence-street-communitycenter OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-5:30pm. Drop-in center; bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, WIFI https://www.odmdenver.org T. FRANCIS CENTER: 303-297-1576; 2323 Curtis St. 6am-6pm daily. Storage for one bag (when space is available). Satellite Clinic hoursMon., Tues., Thurs, Fri. 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm https://www.sfcdenver.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES: 846 E. 18th Ave. For those 60+. TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, and more. https:// www.seniorsupportservices.org SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES): 2017 Larimer St. Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30 years old. Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. Tues.Fri. 12-4pm & Sat. 11-2pm. https://www.soxplace.com THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 2100 Stout St. 303-2910442. Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am. YOUTH AGED 15-20 IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE OVERNIGHT SHELTER SERVICES: 303-974-2928 https://www.urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-andservices/drop-in-center URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): Youth 14-24 in Denver and Colorado Springs. Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skills and training, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing. 730 21st St. 303-974-2900 https://www. urbanpeak.org FREE MEALS CAPITOL HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 1100 Fillmore St., Sat. lunch at 11:30am; https://www.capitolheightspresbyterian.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: https://www.mealsforpoor.org CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee Mon.-Fri. 8:30am; https://www. denvercathedral.org CHRIST’S BODY MINISTRIES: 850 Lincoln; Mon. closed, Tues.-Thurs. 10am-3pm, Fri. 8am-11pm; groceries & hot meal on Sat. at 2pm (at 16th & York); Sun. church service at 6pm, dinner at 7pm; https:// www.christsbody.org CHRIST IN THE CITY: Home-cooked meal, weekly; Lunch in the Park is on Wednesdays from 12-1 at Benedict Fountain Park (Tremont and 22nd); https://www.christinthecity.org CITYSQUARE DENVER: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm; https://www.citysquare.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: 1820 Broadway (in front of Trinity United Methodist Church); Hot meals served M, T, Th., F - 11:45-12:15; https://www.mealsforpoor.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION: 1130 Park Avenue West; 303-294-0157; 3 meals 7 days/week, 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm; https://www. denverrescuemission.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F. 7am-1pm. Not open weekends; Breakfast is at 8am, lunch is served at 11am; https://www.havenofhope.org HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE: 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm; https://www.krishnadenver.com HIS LOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: 910 Kalamath St.; Community dinner on Thurs., 6-6:45pm, Men’s breakfast 1st Sat. of the month, 8-10am, Women’s breakfast 2nd Sat., 9-11am; https://www.hislovefellowship. org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Sandwiches, M-Sat., 10-10:30am; https://www.holyghostchurch.org OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; 303-830-2201; Sat. morning breakfast: 8am, Sun. dinner (required church attendance at 4:30pm); meal served at 6pm; https://www.odmdenver.org/home ST. ELIZABETH’S: Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. on Auraria Campus, 7 days/week, 11:00am; Food, coffee; https://www.stelizabethdenver. org ST. FRANCIS CENTER: 2323 Curtis St., Wed. & Fri. 3-4:30pm (except third Wed. of each month); https://www.sfcdenver.org SAME CAFÉ: 2023 E. Colfax Ave; 720-530-6853;Restaurant serving mostly organic food—not free, but pay what you can or work off your meal in the kitchen; Open Mon.-Sat., 11am to 2pm, Closed Sun. & holidays; https://www.soallmayeat.org VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: 2877 Lawrence St., breakfast (8am), lunch (11:30am), dinner (5pm) Mon.-Thurs., 12pm on Fri., 1pm on Sun. Food & clothing bank 9:30am-4pm Mon.-Thurs.; https://www. voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetro-foodnutrition-themission LGBTQ+ SUPPORT THE TREVOR PROJECT: 866-488-7386: https://www.thetrevorproject. org LGBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 800-246-7743: https://www. lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline PRIDE INSTITUTE: 800-547-7433 TRUE COLORS UNITED: 212-461-4401, https://www.truecolorsunited. org VETERANS & SENIORS DENVER INNER CITY PARISH: 1212 Mariposa St.; 303-322-5733; VOA Dining Center for Seniors, aged 60 and older, W-Sat. 9am-12pm; Food Bank, W-F; Tickets at 9am, food bank open 10am-12pm; dicp. org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES: 846 E. 18th Ave.; For those aged 60 or older; TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, 3 meals, M-F -7am-7pm; Sun. 11am-4pm; https://www. seniorsupportservices.org VA MEDICAL CENTER: 1700 N Wheeling St.; Aurora 303-399-8020: https://www.va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5 VETERANS GUIDE: https://www.veteransguide.org; Veterans Disability Calculator https://www.veteransguide.org/va-disabilitycalculator YOUTH SERVICES SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES): 2017 Larimer St.; 303-296-3412Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30; Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. T-F - 12-4pm & Sat. 11am-2pm. Instagram: @ Soxplace THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 2100 Stout St. 303-2910442; Youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, 303-974-2928; Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am https:// www.urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-incenter SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (YOUTH SERVICES): 833-931-2484; Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions; https://www. sunshinebehavioralhealth.com URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 730 21st St., Denver; 303-974-2900; Ages14-24; Serving Denver & Colo Springs; Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skill/straining, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing; https://www. urbanpeak.org DENVER VOICE JULY 2026 15 N A S A A L K A S H O A L I V E R G E N Z C O A T S S E R E R I O T H A T E D S N A P F A S T E N E R A U P A I R N E E C O M F O R T M E A N I E I V I E R M E R G E R O L A Y S E C O N D G U E S S E D I R C A I R O U T D O G O O D D O L E I N O R D E R A C A I E D S I D O N O T M I N E D E T E C T O R E L L I S M A T H H I D E R E A C T M A S K S E R A S T A L C R E D S jE=W JjE=W I בCטdu׉׉ 7cassandra://NWQz7nZPNN_IjEy0syP1nhk3p3m6g02r0AMx976VyA0m:`׉ 7cassandra://tawV_9yVK_ACEdwJypZpbVxbjSJP2bpQNCGYG2iKycAi`p׉ 7cassandra://JR9hC0iXz1oPYAFQubHiD0xVdtKBG56_O-KwJNfIybE0`jE=ÅW fנjE=ÅW h̷9ׁHhttp://denvervoice.org/donateׁ ׁ Ј׉E2DONATE Because you love us denvervoice.org/donate ׉ 7cassandra://JR9hC0iXz1oPYAFQubHiD0xVdtKBG56_O-KwJNfIybE0`jE=W K׈EjE=W LjE=W K ,DV-7-2026jE=so`u