by Jessica Hughes | Aug 28, 2023 | Main Articles
by Jessica Hughes
Fired: Santino Burrola was fired in early July for capturing three men on video stealing loads of laundry detergent.
Crime in retail stores is on the rise, not just in Colorado, but across the nation. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, retailers saw an average shrink rate of 1.4% in 2021, which is consistent with the five-year average of 1.5%. But while overall shrinkage, which accounts for employee theft as well, wasn’t up, retailers cited a 26.5% increase, on average, in organized retail crime, plus 80% claimed an increase in violent or aggressive incidents.
“We have seen an increase in retail crime overall,” says Chris Howes, President of the Colorado Retail Council. “We are approaching losses of $75 billion across the country in retail theft, and losses of $1billion a year in Colorado.”
But these incidents aren’t being carried out by teenagers stealing a pack of gum, but rather large groups of individuals that are part of a larger crime network. The Colorado Retail Council organization represents the largest chain retail companies such as Home Depot and Target. And a large part of the organization’s job is to go after the hard-core thieves, not just shoplifters.
“Shoplifting is theft for own personal use. Organized retail crime is groups of individuals stealing products to turn into cash or drugs.” Items that are the most susceptible to theft are those that can easily be resold and that are in high demand on the streets.
“The other troubling thing is the violence we see against employees, customers, and our team members at our retail stores,” said Howes. He cites instances where thieves have used bear spray.
“Some people have seen thieves put their hands right in the cash register and take the cash,” said Howes. “If cops don’t show up within a few minutes, what do you do?”
Home Depot: Like many retailers, Home Depot Inc., pictured here in Glendale, is locked in a struggle to combat inventory “shrink” caused by theft and organized retail crime.
Due to the increase in violent thefts, Howes recognizes the changes that need to be made to safety measures for employees and customers. “We cannot expect the employees to use force against thieves,” says Howes. So, to combat this, many larger retail stores bring in off-duty police offers to stand at the entrance or some sort of private security at the store.
Other changes “shoppers are now seeing everyday items like toothpaste and dish soap behind lock and key,” the National Retail Federation wrote in a statement written in June 2023 about the rise of organized retail crime and effect on public safety.
Despite putting a few of these safety measures in place, safety is still an issue, so much so that employees have felt compelled to stop these thieves in action. But the real crime seems to be employees getting fired over trying to help stop the theft.
In the past few months, there have been several local instances in the Denver metro area where employees were fired for confronting a thief. In July 2023, an Arapahoe County King Soopers employee, Santino Burrola, was fired for capturing three men on video stealing $500 worth of laundry detergent — a common crime that has caught the headlines of even New York Magazine back in 2013.
But the real head scratcher is the termination of the employee. The reason he was fired? It is against Kroger policy for employees to chase after or intervene with theft.
This also comes on the heels of another similar incident where two Atlanta-area Lululemon employees were fired for confronting shoplifters in the store. CEO Calvin McDonald defends the company’s decision to do so by stating the store’s strict safety-first policy.
The common thread throughout these events, the company staking claim in employee and customer safety first, above prosecution of theft.
Theft Numbers: The Colorado Retail Council says that the U.S. is approaching losses of $75 billion across the country in retail theft.
While this seems to be a national trend, Colorado has seen a rise in employees standing up against theft as well. “We’re seeing this happening more and more, employees taking action, although nothing like that in Glendale,” said William J. Haskins, Glendale’s Chief of Police.
“Theft is very much on the rise, but the actual shoplifting numbers are down because stores often times choose not to prosecute,” said Haskins. “Many of the times, stores will only file a trespassing charge vs. charging them with theft.”
Combined with the downgrade of charges and the discouragement from employers to stop theft, it’s starting to become clear why retail theft is on the rise.
Haskins says he’s seeing this across the board at the city’s larger retail stores such as Target and Home Depot. “We have seen more strict corporate policy that prohibits and discourages employees from trying to intervene during a theft.”
Haskins doesn’t believe this is the way to deal with this issue. “We have an obligation to prevent this lawlessness,” said Haskins.
In Colorado, there has also been a pattern of legislation over the past years that have reduced penalties on crime and have negatively affected the court’s ability to go after these thieves. This includes House Bill 16-1104, passed in 2016, that states a defendant will be served a summons vs. a warrant for a petty offense or misdemeanor to avoid having an arrest on their record.
“Those prosecuted now face lower penalties. Instead of jailtime, a fine is enforced but even then, there’s no penalty for them if they don’t pay their fines,” says Haskins. “The worst we can do is to go through a collection agency.”
So, aside from what’s being done at the store level to prevent and stop violent theft, what is being done at the state and federal level? Last year, the Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser created a statewide task force which plans to combat retail theft, which went into effect January 1, 2023.
And because many thieves try to sell stolen merchandise through online shopping platforms for profit and to avoid prosecution, the Inform Act was introduced in 2021, which requires online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain information from high-volume third-party sellers, according to Congress.gov.
For now we will have to wait and see if all these efforts will have a positive effect on organized retail crime in Colorado and across the country.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 28, 2023 | Travel
Founder: Adam Avery started Avery Brewing with his dad in 1993 and built it into one of the largest breweries in Colorado.
30th Anniversary: The Avery Invitational featured a curated list of invited breweries based on Avery’s employees favorites. There were 58 breweries from 14 states and five countries in attendance.
The Avery 30th Anniversary Invitational was held on July 29, 2023, at Avery’s 67,000 square foot brewery campus. To celebrate 30 years of brewing beer, Avery Brewing Company hosted an Invitational Beer Festival which brought together all of the beers and breweries that have inspired and worked with them throughout the past 30 years.
“It’s a celebration of beer,” said Adam Avery, founder of Avery Brewing Company. “I’m not a beer snob. I want the beers that my employees and co-workers want to have here. I want to have the best beers at the festival. It doesn’t matter if it is craft or 100 million barrels.”
The event featured live music and food trucks. The main attractions were the 58 breweries from 14 states and five countries pouring their beers. Additionally, Avery Brewing Company released an Anniversary Barrel-Aged Strong Ale, which is a blend of several styles and brewing techniques, representing the culmination of 30 years of brewing experience.
Adam Avery started the brewery in 1993 with his dad’s retirement nest egg of $90,000 and a dream. Along the way, Avery gives credit to his dad for believing in him and another few hundred people who helped him succeed. “How do you succeed in business?” Avery asked. “You don’t give up. My high school mascot was the bulldog and that is what I consider myself.”
After starting the business in a 2,000 square foot facility in 1993, Avery and his father did not pay themselves for over three years. “My dad has always pushed me and believed in me,” said Avery. The most gratifying part of the last 30 years is that he hasn’t once woken up and dreaded to go to work. “I feel like I haven’t done a day’s worth of work. It’s just my life. I am grateful to the people who have gotten me here. You don’t get here by yourself.”
Avery celebrates good beer no matter who brews it. He wishes there was less competition with so many breweries existing but he credits those who care about their craft. “There is no better time in the history of the planet to be a beer drinker than today,” said Avery. “It’s only going to get better. I feel super lucky that some people say Avery is on my list.”
You may ask what is on Adam Avery’s list or in his fridge. He always has Pacifico, Guinness, and Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale in stock. He also recognizes Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing as the best brewer in the country and admits the bar is set by him.
Avery Brewing is located at 4910 Nautilus Ct. in Boulder. You can find their beers in liquor stores throughout the state and 39 other states. Visit www.averybrewing.com for more information.
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 28, 2023 | Valley Gadfly
You soon begin feeling the shift from summer to fall in the air. September is a month where change feels inevitable. This is the month when the leaves begin to change colors.
It’s still summer, but the days are getting shorter. It’s still warm, but the sweltering afternoons of August are past. You likely won’t need your jacket, but could take it with you.
As you await the fall season, here are our choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment “to help you remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh so mellow”:
Support Denver families experiencing food insecurity by attending the 12th annual Fill A Plate For Hunger at Reelworks Denver, Sept. 7, 5:30 p.m. You’ll enjoy a fun cocktail hour, and multi-course dinner. Information: 303-388-6022.
Enjoy food, wine, and spirits during the Denver Food + Wine Festival including a Grand Tasting on Auraria’s Tivoli Quad, Sept. 7-9. Information: 303-830-2972.
Help the Denver Zoo care for and provide emergency animal support by attending the Flock Party with music and eats, Sept. 9, 5-9 p.m. Information: 720-337-1401.
Star Wars In Concert features the Colorado Symphony playing film’s musical scores at Boettcher, Sept. 9-10, 7:30, Sun. 2:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Stop at Boris’s Home Decorating Services to add color, style to your home for the holidays. Custom cushions, decorative pillows, drapery, window treatment, more. Showroom: 1402 S. Parker Rd., Unit A-102. Information: 303-751-2921.
Make sweet September even sweeter by enjoying chocolate entrees, cocktails, and desserts at the Chocolate Lab at E. 3rd & Holly St. Chocolate combined in every dish, cocktail. Enjoy indoor-outdoor seating. Information: 720-536-5037.
Fund home-apartment fire losses at the Our Front Porch dinner-drag show fund drive at Clocktower Cabaret on Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Take swing dance classes, enjoy contests, and social dancing at Lindy On the Rocks in the Curtis Hotel, Sept. 15-18, 7 p.m.-12 p.m. Information: 303-883-6691.
Hear artist Patrick Marold, Denver’s Public Art Manager, at Lowry Speaker Series in the Eisenhower Chapel, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
Bi-annual Latino Suave Fest has a lineup of musicians and performers plus food and drinks at Raices Brewing, Sept. 30, noon-6 p.m. Information: 720-295-2437.
Despite the speed at which summer comes and goes, it’s still such a fun season. Rain plus cold-hot snaps somewhat impeded us; hence, Infinity Park is wrapping up the season with the Colorado Music Experience on Sept. 23. Originally from Denver, Nashville-based indie rock band Wildermiss entertains. Their headline shows have sold out since 2017. Emma Cole sings and plays synth, Joshua Hester plays guitar, and Celeb Thoemke is on drums. Information: 303-692-5799.
It’s the time of year when you don’t need to run the furnace or air conditioner. A chance to recoup, redeem. It’s a return to the routine and back to normal. Or maybe a new normal. The kids are in K-12 or college and the football season is off and running. How many times have you heard a coach proclaim, “This will be our year!” In September, that is possible.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Ashe in America | Aug 28, 2023 | Feature Story Bottom Left
ASHE IN AMERICA — OPINION
At the GOP State Central Committee meeting on August 5, the new Finance Committee read out their first Financial Report. While last month I speculated about the obstruction, the report’s findings paint a more corrupt and scandalous picture.
The election took place on March 11, and the (peaceful) transfer of power was expected to begin immediately. The Finance Committee got started on April 1, but they didn’t gain access to the financial accounts of the party until April 14 when four accounts were turned over by the prior administration, which withheld access for more than a month. But that’s not all.
In early May, as the new team was preparing to file their April FEC report, the new finance team discovered additional accounts that were not previously disclosed. I will refer to these three additional accounts as the “hidden accounts.” The new administration was added to these accounts on May 4, nearly two months after they assumed the leadership of the party.
If that doesn’t convince you the prior administration was obstructing the new leadership, consider that access to the party’s QuickBooks account was never turned over. It still hasn’t been. The new administration received an older version of QuickBooks from the accountant on May 12, but it is not the most up to date, and there is critical information missing.
What information? Well, as I reported last month, the prior administration paid themselves bonuses after suffering a horrifying defeat in the 2022 midterms. The December 2022 statement indicated a “payroll bonus” of $45,000.00, but the specifics of how this sum —comprising nearly half of the previously reported funds — was distributed.
Those specifics would need to be pulled from the payroll system. You can guess what happened next. The payroll administrator is refusing to turn over the access information, and the payroll company, iSolvedHCM, is refusing to grant access to the new administration.
My sources in the GOP will not name the administrator. They would only describe her —– they used female pronouns — as a “long time employee” of the party who represented “the institutional memory that served multiple administrations.”
As for the payroll company, it took the new party leadership significant digging to even determine who the vendor was, and they had to threaten them legally to get the W-2 and 941 tax forms required to file the party’s taxes. To date, they still refuse to send the ledger, so the specifics of outgoing funds remain a mystery. The administrator still refuses to share the username and password.
It’s clearly obstruction — but not just obstruction. There is evidence of corruption —waste, fraud, and abuse.
Waste: The party was paying nearly $800/mo for three storage units that were mostly empty. One of the storage units appears to be full of garbage from the images. That’s $9,600 per year in wasted funds!
Fraud: The day before the election, emails show that the statements for the health insurance were changed to go to the administrator’s home address, and the financial account was changed to one of the hidden accounts. The administrator prepaid a year of insurance premiums, at a time when there were no employees, and then hid the transactions and the statements. The premiums were also significantly larger.
Abuse: In the month of April, an undisclosed person charged hundreds of dollars to the party’s FedEx account. There was no activity from the new administration, no official party business that explains these charges. This person appeared to be using the account for personal reasons more than a month after the election. Was this a common practice during the prior administration?
My sources declined to comment on whether they will bring legal action against the prior administration. They are focused on restoring the party to the people and cleaning up the financial mess left by Kristi Burton Brown and her team.
But make no mistake that it’s a scandalous mess. The new administration had to explicitly make a new rule that, “No employee writes a check to her/himself again.” Hard to imagine a serious professional environment with such a practice. No wonder the Colorado GOP has failed Republican voters for years.
It remains to be seen if the new leadership can restore the public’s trust.
Ashe Epp is a writer and activist. You can find all her work at Linktree.com/asheinamerica
