by Editorial Board | Jan 18, 2024 | Editorials
Billionaire and octogenarian, Phil Anschutz, is the wealthiest man in Colorado, worth almost 11 billion dollars. Befitting a man of such wealth, he desires to have political influence to protect his business interests and have a say on the matters of the importance in the state. Described by many as a rock-solid conservative he is a member of the Colorado Republican Party. He is, however, more of a Bush/Cheney country club Republican and no fan of Donald Trump or the vulgarians (as he sees them) in the party who support him. Over time as with many other billionaire businessmen he finds himself drifting to the left or perhaps the Republican Party under Donald Trump is moving to the extreme right.
A couple of falls ago he hosted a conclave of billionaires at his Sea Island Resort off the coast of Georgia. There they decided to support Ron DeSantis as the best person to dethrone Trump after his January 6th shenanigans. They poured in hundreds of millions to that end which now appears for naught.
An extremely private man Anschutz never publicly states his political preferences as that would make him a target for those who would oppose him. Your chances of getting to meet him are on par with you meeting up with Bigfoot. He has set up in Colorado an intricate web of front groups to express his views and undertake his political agenda. He has control or influence over including inter alia The Gazette (Colorado Springs), Denver Gazette, Independence Institute, Complete Colorado, Advance Colorado, The Lobby, Leadership Program of the Rockies, Camp Fire Colorado (RIP) Rocky Mountain Voice, Caucus Room, and Colorado Peak Politics. Publication of an article from one outlet is quickly republished in one or more of the other outlets to amplify the message.
The message these days from Anschutz world screamed by Dick Wadhams, Jon Caldera. Jimmy Sengenberger and various others is how awful the new grassroots Colorado Republican Party is and, in particular, its Chairman Dave Williams. Virtually the only publication supporting the Colorado Republican grassroots and Williams is the recently formed and anonymous RINOwatch Colorado which does a good job, but it is a David versus Goliath battle.
Anschutz also has indirectly controlled the Colorado Republican Party for over three decades by he and his allies generously contributing to party activities. No one reflects Anschutz views more than two-time State Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams, who sits on the board of Anschutz’s Independence Institute. Wadhams is fond of quoting former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge: “The chief business of the American people is business.”
But the business of America is not looking too good according to Anschutz. Democrats control the U.S. Presidency and Senate. Even worse, the national Republican Party is increasingly dominated by Donald Trump. In Colorado, the Democrats control every statewide office including governorship and have supermajorities in the State House and Senate.
It is not that Anschutz won’t do business with just about anyone. He is purported to have made a deal with Governor Polis where he would not support his Republican opponent, Heidi Ganahl, if Polis would stop Democrats from attacking his business interests. Each man lived up to his side of the bargain.
Democrats have turned Colorado blue by changing the election rules from everything from open primaries to mail balloting and ballot harvesting. Anschutz is at fault for this predicament as he fought none of those changes because they hurt the hated grassroot Republicans and assured ever more moderate squishy Republicans like Joe O’Dea that Anschutz prefers. His idea of a great Republican these days is Liz Cheney. He contributed the full amount allowed to her disastrous re-election campaign in 2022 in his own name, which he seldom does. He views the social issues important to the grassroots like abortion, gun rights, parental rights, and school choice as tedious and a distraction from the chief business of the American people.
The rudest shock came this last March when the grassroots under Dave Williams took over the State Republican Party. The prior party chair, Kristi Burton Brown, drained the party dry before leaving to join Anschutz’s Advance Colorado. Anschutz and his business allies cut off all funds to the Party expecting Williams to go belly up. But Williams found funds from small donors and other sources like charging Republican Presidential candidates large fees for participating in the Colorado Republican Party Primary. He has found innovative ways to fund lawsuits against the Party’s enemies. Worst of all Williams has become a strong favorite of Donald Trump.
Williams has become the odds-on favorite to replace Doug Lamborn in CD 5 following Lamborn’s shock retirement while continuing to be Party chair to the horror of Anschutz world. If grassroot Republicans also win CD 3 and CD 4, which is certainly possible, the grassroots would control a great deal of money and power with Williams becoming Colorado’s “Grassroots King.” If Trump became President, Anschutz could then be facing fierce enemies locally and nationally. Trump and Williams could then join together for revenge. All the tens of millions Anschutz spends annually on all of his front organizations would be of little value.
Anschutz’s detractors would like to envision, if this would come to fruition, Anschutz in one of many mansions mumbling: “Rosebud.”
— Editorial Board
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 15, 2023 | Main Articles
New Audit Reveals Denver Is Delivering Fewer Units Than Required, Costs Climb For Taxpayer-Funded Affordable Housing
by Glen Richardson
As 2024 begins, residents want to know if Mayor Mike Johnston met his $50 million promise to move 1,000 of Denver’s homeless off the streets by year’s end. Many others — like Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, who resigned as homeless committee chair — have concluded the administration’s homeless pledge is nothing more than “a dog and pony show.”
Facing the facts: Denver has the nation’s 10th-most homeless people. At year’s end there were 802 homeless people getting monthly payments of from $50 to $1,000. One group receives $1,000 a month for 12 months; another received a $6,500 lump payment and then $500 a month for 11 months; and the final group receives $50 a month for a year. For this year (2024), Mayor Johnston proposes to spend $242 million on homeless-affordable housing.
Street Sweep Scene: Denver continues to perform “sweeps” of homeless encampments under new Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. Photo: Kevin J. Beaty
A new financial examination by Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien, however, reveals that finding housing or giving out money — without managing inherent and built-in factors — may b
Street Squalor Struggle: Despite providing money, plus developing and prioritizing affordable housing projects, Denver’s homeless crisis continues to surge as 2024 begins. Photo (left): Hart Van Denburg/CPR
e an emotional feat, but won’t accomplish the city’s objectives.
Unit Count Con
The audit’s most glaring discovery: Denver’s Department of Housing Stability is not delivering the required number of units. Fact: Denver developed 32 fewer units for very-low income and 301 fewer for moderate-income households than required by the city agreement.
Equally disturbing: The agency reported 203 units for rent at “market rates,” claiming they count as part of the agreement to develop affordable housing.
Lack of oversight is to blame, according to Auditor O’Brien. “If affordable housing is a priority, leaders need to effectively use resources, show accountability for housing goals, and commitment to helping those in Denver who need it m
ost,” he asserts.
Shoddy Upkeep
Auditors also found a lack of oversight to maintain safe-habitable housing units for people in the lowest income ranges. Not only are these people subject to health-safety risks, but the city could lose part of its affordable housing inventory due to damage and disrepair.
A random check of 20 affordable housing projects funded by the Department of Housing Stability — plus an affordable housing project used as permanent housing and funded with program funds — examiners found building doors unlocked or propped open; doors missing handles; water damage; pet or human waste in public areas; plus, trash and debris.
More: Broken windows; dirty or damaged carpets; potential fire code violations, which were reported to the fire department; large cracks and other damage to exterior brick or foundations; evidence of pest infestations; exposed electrical wires or damaged electrical features; window and screens missing or damaged; inoperable or malfunctioning elevators; standing water in public areas; and damaged interior and exterior lighting.
Fewer New Units
Even more troubling, auditors found plans for new units are falling below requirements in the city’s taxpayer-funded agreement with the Denver Housing Authority. Denver partners with the Denver Housing Authority on their “DHA Delivers for Denver Program” — commonly called “D3.”
Broadway’s Best: Purchased by the Denver Housing Authority and completed in 2022, this 655 Broadway Bldg. rents to income limited elderly and disabled.
The audit discovered the housing authority reported some units were being rented at market rate, instead of at affordable rates for people with low-income levels.
Moreover, the housing authority also developed fewer units for low-and moderate-income individuals than required. Bottom line: Investments may and many times exceed what was agreed upon. There is no clarity on how many housing units will be delivered or if the units will be affordable for people who need it most. “The city needs stronger oversight to confirm the affordable housing results it promises,” says Auditor O’Brien. “It’s clear the city is too trusting in third-party partners and as a result the people who need the most help could be left out.”
Half Have High Rent
Just as shocking and upsetting, the audit reveals that half of the units in the city’s D3 agreement exceed the rents allowed by that agreement.
The housing authority reported 203 market-rate units paid for by the city’s D3 agreement were rented for between 60% and 90% of area median income. The housing authority claims this counts toward contract requirements because they are lower than the average rental prices in Denver, which are about 120% of the area median income.
While about half of these ar
Loose Connections: Audits of 20 affordable housing projects funded by the Department of Housing Stability found shoddy upkeep, including exposed-damaged electrical wires.
e rented at rates for people in the target income, the lower-than-average prices are not guaranteed if market conditions change — resulting in potential rent increases and loss of affordability.
District Deals
Additionally, some City Council districts are receiving more affordable housing resources than allowed. Specifically, districts 1, 3, 8, and 9 all received more affordable housing funds than allowed.
Further, district 3 was restricted to receiving fewer funds than other districts because of existing affordable housing investments. While the agreement allows the department to grant a waiver to any one district, except district 3, discussions about waivers are ongoing.
The housing authority is also counting units developed with “different city funding sources” as part of the D3 project, further inflating the results.
Clinch & Confirm
Finally, the audit found several other areas in which the city can make improvements to maintain and improve the city’s affordable housing struggle.
First, the city is not ensuring contractors are complying with wage laws on affordable housing projects. These projects may be subject to federal wage requirements or the city’s prevailing wage ordinance.
The Department of Housing Stability also needs to verify income annually for residents. The department also needs adequate
controls over its data, including what is used to populate public dashboards.
Agree To Improve
The Department of Housing Stability has agreed to implement nearly 90% (17 of the 19) of the audit recommendations.
It is disappointing, however, that the department chose to disagree with two of the audit recommendations. Those proposals would significantly improve the city’s inspection and maintenance of homeless units. Furthermore, it would ensure affordable housing is sanitary and safe.
The audit found issues at 14 of 21 homeless properties, despite inspection forms from the city showing no issues at the same properties.
