Denver Municipal Election Runoff Endorsements

by Mark Smiley | May 25, 2019 | Editorials

Normally, the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle only endorses candidates in Districts which are part of our circulation area. This time, however, we believe this to be a make-or-break election for the future of the city. We are, therefore, endorsing candidates in all runoff races as well as Initiated Ordinance 302. We acknowledge if incumbent Michael Hancock wins his race against Jamie Giellis there is a little hope that the next four years will be any better than the last disastrous eight years. If Giellis wins, however, she will need allies to fight against the high-density developers that are not going to go gently into that good night. Our endorsements are as follows:

MAYOR – JAMIE GIELLIS. Michael Hancock has been the worst mayor of Denver since Wolfe Londoner (1891-1893) who ended up in jail, which would be the fate of Hancock if there were any justice in this town. Londoner was the puppet of the whisky barons of Denver while Hancock is the tool of the high-density developers. If given a choice between the two, high-density developers have been a far more malevolent force than the whiskey barons ever were. Jamie Giellis is a bright new face with an urban planning background which is badly needed in the city. Can she survive the last minute desperate and vicious mudslinging of his Honor and his allies? We certainly hope so, but only time will tell.

CLERK AND RECORDER – PEG PERL. This one was easy. Paul Lopez is wholly unqualified for the position as he demonstrated in the only debate. Moreover, he has indicated that he will politicalize the position which is exactly what is not needed. Peg Perl is very well qualified to run the office in a fair and equitable manner for all the residents of the city.

INITIATED ORDINANCE 302 – YES. The city dodged a bullet when the Olympic Committee chose Salt Lake City over Denver to bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Only high-density developers and certain businessmen wanted to bring the Olympics to Denver and they couldn’t have cared less what the citizens of the city thought. Next time, if this proposal passes, Denver will have to ask the voters of the city what they think before wasting large sums of money for a project that would benefit only a very few.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10: WAYNE NEW. Wayne was one of four councilmen who ran in 2015 opposing the reckless and wasteful developments of Mayor Hancock in Cherry Creek and across the city. Some feel Wayne has not done enough to oppose the Mayor and his policies, but behind-the-scenes resistance leader Rafael Espinoza says Wayne was his greatest ally and fought with him in many of the key fights, not all of which were successful. Newcomer Chris Hinds is an attractive candidate in many ways, but the behind-the-scenes support for him of the city’s unions and people who are often allied with high-density developers make him a risk that he will become just one more person who actually only listens to the rich and powerful in the city.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 – AMANDA SAWYER. Little controversy here. Incumbent Mary Beth Susman has been the lackey for high-density developers in her District and across the city. She was even caught taking written instructions from developers and their lobbyists on exactly what to say in City Council meetings. Her door knocker advertisement states: “A Leader Who Listens.” Anyone who has been to a City Council meeting where a high-density development is being considered would know that tag line should be: “A Councilwoman Who Listens Only to Developers.” Amanda Sawyer got involved in the race after helping with one of the few neighborhood victories in stopping the ill-considered Green Flats development on Holly. It would be nice to have a councilwoman who actually does listen to the everyday citizens.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 – AMANDA SANDOVAL. Hopefully, City Council meetings will have another Amanda on the dais fighting for the neighborhoods that have been ignored for so long. Sandoval has been the chief of staff for Rafael Espinoza, the leader in the fight against high-density developers, and will continue his great work. Her opponent is the intellectually limited fireman Mike Somma who will be little more than a parrot for the city’s unions.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 – Veronica Barela. In District 3 there is only one candidate who has expressly opposed the disastrous Sloan’s Lake mega project sponsored by the outgoing councilman Paul Lopez and the Brownstein Farber Law Firm. Barela’s longterm advocacy for the District demonstrates that she is willing to fight against the powers to be in the city. Her opponent is immigration rights activist Jamie Torres who has not demonstrated the same resolve.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 – Candi CdeBaca. Last, but not least, this race pits Mayor Hancock’s presumed successor, Albus, “The Buddha” Brooks, who spends his time looking for handouts from the rich and powerful. Candi CdeBaca’s surprisingly strong showing in the initial round indicates that District 9’s residents are tired of being forced out of Denver by high-density developments pushed by Brooks, and are ready for a change.

• Editorial Board

‘In a Democracy People Get The Leaders They Deserve.’ — Joseph de Maistre

by Mark Smiley | Apr 29, 2019 | Editorials

On Election Day May 7 we will all learn who the leaders are in the City and County of Denver that we “deserve” particularly as pertains to the next mayor. There are no excuses for us this election cycle. Four years ago, Mayor Michael Hancock ran unopposed so we can hardly blame ourselves for re-electing him to a second term.

Eight years ago, our excuse was, sure, he was inexperienced, badly lacking in basic knowledge of important civic issues, but he was an engaging African American councilman with an incredible feel good saga of arising from poverty to prominence. Back then we just didn’t want to look behind the curtain and see developer Pat Hamill and the executive crony capitalists of the hilariously named “Colorado Concern” to see who would really be running the city, with Hancock the mayor in name only.

We now know with absolute certainty that his Honor is a moral and intellectual pigmy. If his rude, foul mouthed son is any example, he is an equally disgraceful father as he is husband.  Hancock spends his time going to ribbon-cuttings in between workout sessions and chasing and harassing women here in Denver, and out of town in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. We discovered shortly after his first election that he is a john that cavorts with prostitutes and is shameless in endlessly lying to try to cover it up. We learned last year from a policewoman that he harasses women who work for him and uses taxpayer money to gain their silence.

What Hancock has done to the city in eight short years is in its own way truly amazing. He has destroyed parks and open space throughout the city at the whim of high-density developers. Homeless street people control portions of the 16th Street Mall where the smell of urine and feces permeates the air for outdoor diners. Beautiful boulevards like Speer Boulevard have become concrete canyons with buildings pushed right up to the street. The Cherry Creek Bike Path has become, in part, a heroin needle drop-off point. He championed, along with Councilman Albus “The Buddha” Brooks, to make Denver the heroin capital of the West with so-called “Safe Injection Sites” only to be shot down at the state capitol thanks to a state-wide revolt.

A City Hall awash in tax funds has done nothing for the neighborhoods he and his compliant City Council and Planning Commission are destroying. Not providing adequate parking in new developments has not stopped people from using cars but rather made streets clogged and virtual parking lots at certain times of the day.

The one positive aspect to the homeowners of Denver has been the ever-increasing value of homes and condominiums in the city. But that party appears to be over with price of homes decreasing the last few months as the quagmire that Denver has become is ever more evident to potential home buyers.

There are three great candidates for the office — urban planner Jamie Giellis, former state legislator and lawyer Penfield Tate III and Colorado Latino Forum Lisa Calderón. Each was featured at length last month on Page 3. So why in the world would anyone vote for Mayor Hancock this time? The city’s only daily paper, the sad and ever shrinking Denver Post gave a it a try in its endorsement of Mayor Hancock for a third and final term. It is broadly known that that The Denver Post, (which is no longer located in Denver but housed in its production plant in Adams County) is financially dependent on the City and County of Denver which is bailing it out of its white elephant office building across from City Hall and the State Capitol.

In its endorsement, The Denver Post could not name a single accomplishment of Hancock in his eight years in office. Instead the paper proffered that we all should look forward to future projects such as the revitalization of the National Western Stock Show Complex (which Hancock originally tried to pawn off on Aurora) upgrades for the 16th Street Mall which Hancock has effectively destroyed and bond money for roads and bike lanes etc. How pathetic. The Post notes the many personal failings of Hancock but states “accusations that he is in the back pockets of developers . . . miss the mark.” Yeah, right.

In a bizarre, concluding paragraph, the paper declares that we must re-elect Hancock because “he is the only candidate ready to meet the challenges if this nation faces an economic downturn.” What in the world is the editorial board of this 130-year-old paper talking about? Michael Hancock is utterly inept at everything he has ever done. He could not manage his way out of a paper bag. Maybe The Denver Post is referring to his handlers like developer Pat Hamill but the paper should at least have the guts to say so.

One could sense The Denver Post Editorial Board was ashamed of what it had composed and argued. The Comment Section in the paper on the editorial was devastating with virtually every comment mocking and laughing at the editorial. One of the less vitriolic, but apt comments, was one that stated the Editorial Board should have published the editorial on April Fool’s Day rather than April 12.

On the evening of May 7, we will learn whether we will have assured a third term for Michael Hancock or we will have a runoff between Hancock and one of the challengers. If it is a Hancock third term, we can look in the mirror and realize that Denver’s greatest enemy is ourselves. If it is a runoff, we can all gear up for a battle royale to try to save the city, we love.

• Editorial Board

Hippity Hop: Valley Hoppin’ Down Bunny Trail Filling Baskets With Fun

by Mark Smiley | Apr 1, 2019 | Editorials

Begin Spring Fling At Sunrise Services, Egg Hunts, Bunny Bolts Then Dine On Scrumptious Spring Lamb

Holidays are always about family in the Cherry Creek Valley but none brings more smiles than Easter. Truly unique worship experiences including the 72nd Annual Red Rocks Sunrise Service plus family egg hunts and bunny bolts fill the day with happiness and joy.

Moreover, family and friends also spend the day enjoying incredible holiday feasts. There are dozens of Easter brunches around town or those lucky enough can enjoy spit-roasted whole lamb served annually at Denver’s Monaco Inn Restaurant.

Here is our Egg’stra special selection of Easter things to do: Easter Services

Red Rocks Sunrise Services

On Resurrection Sunday April 21, the Colorado Council of Churches will host its 72nd Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 4:30-7:30 a.m. This is a truly unique worship experience that draws people from across the Cherry Creek Valley, all of the Rocky Mountain area and rest of the nation.

In previous years, an estimated 11,000 people attended the service. For many attendees who don’t regularly attend church, this is a special opportunity to hear the gospel. Given the spectacular venue and the service, it’s no wonder that so many people have this event on their “Bucket List.”

Given the extraordinary turnout for this worship service, it is recommended that attendees arrive close to 4:30 a.m. Once the Amphitheatre is at capacity, police handling traffic will not allow additional access. Remember to dress warmly as it can get quite cold before the sun rises.

Easter Grand Encampment

The Knights Templar Association of Colorado has announced that the Western States Easter Grand Encampment has moved from Salt Lake City to Denver.

The Encampment is from April 18-21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown, just minutes away from the Scottish Rite Consistory where Easter service will be held on April 21, 6:30 a.m., Doors will open at 5:30 a.m. Breakfast will be available at the Consistory following the ceremony.

The Colorado Easter Sunrise Service has been celebrated and conducted by the Knights Templar of Colorado for 94 consecutive years. Not only do the Templars participate, but every other Masonic body as well. Registration: wseo-denver.com.

More Easter Services

Augustana Lutheran: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on E. Alameda Ave.

Bethany United Methodist: 9 and 10:30 a.m. services located on W. 1st Ave.

Catholic Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: 8:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. mass located at Logan and Colfax Ave.

Cherry Creek Spiritual Growth Center: 10 a.m. services located on E. Yale Ave.

Christ Lutheran: 6:30 a.m. sunrise worship; 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on S. Broadway.

New Covenant Christian: 6 a.m. sunrise worship; 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Ivanhoe St.

Montview Presbyterian: 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Dahlia St.

St. John’s Episcopal: 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m. Eucharist rites located on Clarkson St.

St. Paul’s Lutheran: 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Grant St.

Trinity United Methodist: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on Broadway.

Easter Eating

Thanksgiving is the undisputed king of Valley food holidays nonetheless at many eateries Easter is just as satisfying. The reason is simple, Easter is the Thanksgiving of spring. At many restaurants you can eat to the point of bursting but without the family pressures of Thanksgiving.

The hunt is over: Here’s where to break bread with family and friends this Easter weekend over brunch, lunch or dinner:

Dining Delights

Monaco Inn Restaurant

Celebrating Easter is much more than an epic holiday meal at the Monaco Inn Restaurant — it’s a Valley tradition stretching back more than 30 years. Easter without Colorado spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries at this family run eatery just south of Leetsdale on Monaco at Tennessee is hard to imagine.

Savor the fresh roasted lamb served with roasted oven Greek potatoes, a Greek salad or Avgolemono soup with a glass of wine. Begin your Easter celebration with a flaming Greek cheese Saganaki appetizer, Opa! End the holiday enjoying Galaktoboureko, the traditional Greek dessert made with a custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell.

Serving Easter Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Make your reservations early. Information: 303-320-1104.

Easter Breakfast

Dave & Busters

This American food and arcade game fun spot on S. Colorado Blvd. is serving breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to a full breakfast buffet you receive a “power card” with unlimited video game play. Coffee, tea, soda and juices are provided. Also included are photos with the Easter Bunny (bring your camera or phone) plus arts & crafts. Information: 303-209-2907.

Other Breakfasts: In connection with sunrise services the Bethany United Methodist Church at 3501 W. 1st Ave. is serving breakfast at 9 and 10:30 a.m. During this year’s Easter Grand Encampment the Scottish Rite Consistory at 1307 Grant St. will serve breakfast following the ceremony.

Best Brunch Bets

Celebrate Easter Sunday by enjoying a special brunch at a local restaurant. There are buffets to share with families plus eateries where you can spend time on the patio soaking up springtime outside with mimosas.

Charcoal Bistro

Charcoal Bistro, the eatery on Old South Gaylord in the Wash Park neighborhood is serving Easter brunch with a buffet of sweets and starters followed by ala carte entrees of your choice.

Edge Restaurant

The Edge Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown is serving a brunch buffet with bottomless mimosas. Brunch item selection will include a raw bar, special carving selections and Easter themed dessert.

Fire Restaurant

Fire, the restaurant in the Art Hotel in the Golden Triangle adjacent to the Art Museum, offers a brunch buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu includes a raw bar, herb crusted leg of lamb, whole smoked salmon and Easter desserts. Parking is complimentary and there will be a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny.

Ocean Prime

This seafood and steakhouse with locations in Larimer Square and on Belleview Ave. in Greenwood Village offers a special Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Features include blood orange mimosas, lobster toast, crab & eggs, braised short rib surf & turf and a blackened salmon salad.

Easter Egg Hunts

Easter Eggstravaganza

The annual Glendale Sports Center’s annual egg hunt is at the Infinity Park Sports Field located at 4599 E. Tennessee Ave. in Glendale on Saturday April 15, 10 a.m. sharp. The event is divided into three age groups: 0 to 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 19, all starting at the same time. Bring an Easter basket plus camera or phone to create great memories for you and the kids. The Easter Bunny will be hopping by for a visit. Information: 303-639-4711.

Children’s Museum Bunny Trail

The annual event on the Marsico Campus is April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no age limit. The Easter extravaganza is full of art projects, treats and an Easter Bunny visits. Hop your way over with the kids and grandkids for a good time with normal museum admission.

Bunny Bolt 5K-10K

The 6th annual event is Saturday April 15 for the whole family, not just the little ones. Held in City Park on N. York St. it features Denver’s only Golden Egg Hunt for adults. As you move along the course if you find the precious golden eggs you win awesome prizes. There’s also a free yoga class plus prizes ranging from race t-shirt to a goody bag and free photo downloads. Bring the kids for the 1K Rabbit Rush, the massive Easter Egg Hunt, face painting, balloon artists and photos with the Easter Bunny.

Rueth Easter Egg Hunt

This event is at the Fleming Mansion located at 1510 S. Grant St. on April 13, noon to 3 p.m. The hunt has treats, face paintings, games, sack races and giveaways. For ages 1 to 5 the egg hunt begins at 2 p.m. while ages 6 and up begin at 2:15 p.m.

Faith Mountain Egg Hunt

Sponsored by Faith Mountain Church this is Lakewood’s largest egg event with 20,000 candy filled eggs to give away. Located at 12344 W. Alameda Pkwy, the event is April 20, 9 to 11 a.m. In addition to the egg hunt there are carnival games, bounce houses and the Easter Bunny.

Dining Delights: Easter is the Thanksgiving of spring annually celebrated with Colorado spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries. Antigone Tsikoudakis, right, and Sonny Balafas check lamb being cooked outside at Denver’s Monaco Inn Restaurant.

Initiative 300: Could Be The Crown Jewel Of The Hancock Era

by Mark Smiley | Feb 25, 2019 | Editorials

Almost every mayor of Denver who has two or more terms in office has some project or initiative that highlights what the individual wanted to accomplish in public office. For Mayor Robert Speer it was Speer Boulevard and the City Beautiful movement. For Mayor Stapleton it was the Mountain Park System and Civic Center Park. In the case of Mayor Wellington Webb, he was justifiably proud of what he was able to accomplish with Confluence Park and Mayor Federico Peña fought tirelessly for Denver International Airport.

But what about Mayor Michael Hancock? He has been able to destroy and/or monetize parks and open space throughout Denver. He has been able to take the 16th Street Mall, the pride and joy of Mayor McNichols, and turn it into a dangerous place at times that reeks of urine and feces emanating from the alley ways. He has been able to destroy or damage neighborhoods throughout the city with ugly high rises built right to the curb. He has driven out African-American families who have been in the city for generations with his gentrification efforts and making affordable housing in the city a thing of the past. He has turned the once beautiful Speer Boulevard into a concrete canyon. Driving about Denver has become a chore almost any time of the day and parking has become scarcer and scarcer. If he and Councilman Albus Brooks have their way they will have defacto legalized heroin/meth use and sales with so-called Safe Injection Sites.

What could represent and highlight these and many other similar achievements by his honor. We suggest Initiative 300 could do the trick. It would alter the municipal code of Denver to provide a right to rest in any public space in Denver and to live in any motor vehicle on any street without being asked to move. It allows for people to eat, share and serve food in public places. It would make it a crime to harass any person exercising these rights and would override any and all laws of Denver or the State of Colorado that are in contradiction of these provisions.

How perfect can you get to represent the ideals and aspirations of the Hancock Administration. This initative would help to destroy the enjoyment of most people in Denver of those parks and open spaces that Mayor Hancock hasn’t already closed or monetized. It would solve the affordable housing crisis since one could live almost anywhere within a tent and drive down home values so that houses would be “more affordable.” These wonderful legal provisions would also apply not only within the boundaries of the City and County of Denver, but also to the Denver Mountain Park system which would not only apply to Red Rocks concerts and Evergreen Golf Course but apparently to Winter Park.

Initiative 300 applies not only to parks and open space but any public space any land owned or leased by the City and County of Denver or any property upon which there is an easement for public use which would include the sidewalk in front of your house and any street median by your home. Asking too loudly for the person camped out in front of your house not to urinate or defecate on your lawn could be deemed a form of harassment subjecting you to arrest.

The only real obstacle to this initative is the fact that high density developers who control the mayor’s office and who want to destroy the city and its parks and open space for their own profit and fun, are opposed. How dare the homeless advocates make the city an undesirable place to live and work when the high-density developers are doing a bang-up job on their own. The flotsam and jetsam over at Colorado Concern, who runs the day-to-day operations of the city along with the mayor’s Chief of Staff Alan Salazar, will put money in to defeat the proposition. Mayor Hancock himself has been strangely silent on the matter afraid to alienate anyone on either side of the issue with his dubious re-election campaign in full swing. But his silence is in part understandable as he is spending a significant part of his time chasing and harassing women down in Atlanta away from prying eyes.

But we as citizens of Denver all owe it to our beloved mayor who we have elected twice (once without any opposition) and who will, in all likelihood, be re-elected for a third term given the enormous war chest he has built up from high-density developers. It is not easy to destroy a once beautiful and very livable city especially when you have money to burn, but Hancock is helping to achieve the same and Initiative 300 could, in fact, be the crown jewel ode to his time of public service.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to attract thousands of drug-addicted street people from across the country to the Mile-High Queen City of the Plains to share our new utopian vision provided by Mayor Hancock. Vote “Yes” on Initiative 300, and help the mayor destroy our once beautiful city.

— Editorial Board

Rafael Espinoza Leaving Denver City Council And What That Says About Denver Government

by Mark Smiley | Jan 28, 2019 | Editorials

Diogenes, a Greek philosopher, was said to have wandered the streets of Athens with a lantern in broad daylight saying he was looking to find an honest man. If he were to come to Denver today and went to Denver City Hall, he would have an equally tough time. It has just become more difficult as Denver City Councilman Rafael Espinoza has decided not to run for a second term as the representative of the 1st District, which includes Denver Highlands.

Four years ago, he became the first person to defeat an incumbent councilperson since the mid-1980s. Moreover, he won in a landslide, garnering 70% of the vote. He came into office hoping to accomplish great things and, in particular, helping to arrest the destruction of Denver neighborhoods by high-density developers. He declared at the time: “I will not be beholden to developers, special interests, the mayor’s office, or even fellow council members.”

He has been true to his word. He even tried to join a lawsuit against the mayor to stop the flood control project at City Park Golf Course. Unfortunately, a majority of his fellow councilpersons were and are, in fact, beholden to the same including developer hacks and Hancock toadies Mary Beth Susman and Kendra Black. Espinoza, during his short tenure, was able to accomplish some important goals including eliminating bump stocks in Denver and imposing new requirements on keeping neighborhoods informed about proposed real estate developments.

But he was unable to stop the onslaught of solely-profit driven, poorly conceived real estate developments. Nor was he able to rein in the absolute control over Denver City Council by the office of Mayor Hancock. Of course, Hancock himself is too busy working out and chasing women in not only Denver but also in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. to control anything.

But that does not mean that his chief of staff, Alan Salazar, in connivance with the Brownstein law firm and the boys and girls at Colorado Concern, doesn’t have time to destroy the city for fun and profit.

There was nothing more shameful in the last four years than the City Council’s craven capitulation to the harassment of Denver Police Officer Leslie Branch-Wise and subsequent payoff for her silence with taxpayer funds. Espinoza tried to hold the mayor accountable as outlined in a letter that went public, but he was one of the few voices on city council willing to take a stand and the heinous conduct of the mayor went unheeded.

Espinoza points to the three-part series in The Denver Post by Bruce Finley titled “The Densification of Denver” which has become one of the cities with the least open space and parks per resident almost anywhere in the country. This for a town that was planned in the early 20th century as a “city within a park.”

But as a councilman he found himself powerless to do anything about it. He believes he can accomplish more as a private citizen outside of government. He has endorsed his top aide Amanda Sandoval to replace him. He indicates the 1st District is really getting two for one. His aide will be working inside of City Hall while he, as a private citizen, can work on key items such as preparing neighborhood design standards that he, as an architect, is particularly well qualified to undertake.

We have not always agreed with Councilman Espinoza. For example, we are incredulous that he voted for Albus Brooks’ Mexican drug cartel backed legislation to essentially legalize and subsidize heroin use in the City and County of Denver under the rubric of “safe injection sites.”

But overall there has been no more principled, hard working and industrious city councilperson. The fact that being a city councilperson in Denver is so worthless and unimportant that it is not even worth being one, is deeply disturbing. What does that say about the majority of the City Council who are there to pick up a six-figure salary and perks and do not care about what they are doing to the city and the citizens of Denver? God help us.

— Editorial Board

Albus ‘The Buddha’ Brooks: Politicians, Drugs And Money

by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2018 | Editorials

It is said that politicians are attracted to money like flies to a dung heap. In Denver no one loves the smell of money more than City Council President Albus Brooks, a close ally of ethically challenged Mayor Michael Hancock. He is expected to succeed Hancock in four years assuming Hancock prevails in his quest for a third term this spring.

Brooks has the full confidence and support of the high-density developers that own and control Mayor Hancock. Brooks’ subservience to developers has gotten him in trouble at times with some of his constituents in District 9. Developers have begun to gentrify his district with high-density developments driving some African American families out of Denver where they have lived for generations. His tone deafness over the Ink! Coffee shop controversy highlighted how out of touch he was with the many issues important to the residents of his District. Brooks has only exasperated his problems by his remarks on Colorado Public Radio where he appeared not to grasp the concept that “involuntary displacement” was very much of a concern to homeowners in Five Points, Elyria-Swansea and other neighborhoods in his District.

Brooks infamously declared on the radio: “Displacement is not in the home ownership category. It’s in the rental category and someone cannot afford what their landowner is jacking up the price with, right? And so, that is something that we are working very hard on.”

These comments helped Candi CdeBaca decide to run against him this spring in the city election. She has stated: “He didn’t understand the nuances of involuntary displacement. That is directly connected to his power and his purview. He should know all of the ins and outs of it.”

What Brooks does understand is money or more specifically how as a politician he gets his hands on as much of it as possible. While high density developers strongly support him as he does their bidding, he is not particularly liked by them on a personal basis. His cryptic nickname among some developers and lobbyists is “The Buddha.” It is not that he has any interest in that Eastern religion but rather the fact that many statues of the Buddha have him sitting with his left palm pointing upward. According to his critics Brooks shakes your hand with his right hand while his left palm points upward to be greased.

This leads to his latest money-making scheme — heroin injection sites. There is big money to be had by politicians in drugs these days. On the Republican side Colorado Senator Cory Gardner and former Speaker of the U.S. House John Boehner have become ardent advocates for the legalization of marijuana across the country notwithstanding spending most of their political careers adamantly opposed the same. What changed? Once pot was legalized in states like Colorado and California there arrived a river of money for politicians and lobbyists who would help overcome federal constraints on the drug.

Brooks’ nose for money has led him to an even more lucrative drug field — heroin. Mexican drug cartels are facing a crisis. With legalization of marijuana in various states no one needs the cartels to grow marijuana in Mexico and ship it across the border. Moreover, cocaine is no longer the drug of the young and the hip and usage is dramatically down. What is up is opioid addiction and in particular heroin addiction. What is holding back this growth market is the terrible stigma attached to heroin use.

That is where politicians like Brooks can help. He has gotten the Denver City Council to approve so called “safe injection sites.” Heroin users are provided free needles, syringes, septic pads and a private place to shoot up. Medical attendants will be there to administer Naloxone in case of an overdose. Of course, once you have one site you will need many more as addicts driving to and from a single injection site to get their multiple daily fixes is generally not to be encouraged.

If you want more of something you subsidize it, but that is not the key service Brooks is providing to the cartels. What the cartels need to grow their heroin businesses is for the stigma of heroin use to disappear. What better way than state and municipal sanctioned and supported “safe” injection sites to say to today’s youth that the hellish existence of a heroin addict is just one of many different but acceptable lifestyle choices. In places like Vancouver, Canada where there are safe injection sites, the use of heroin has skyrocketed and while there are no reported deaths at the sites there plenty nearby.

The Buddha, of course, is just trying to be “compassionate” to heroin users and the cartels who support and nurture them. Brooks will get rich in the process. If there is any justice in this world, kids and their families who become addicted to heroin because of the actions of Councilman Albus Brooks will someday go visit him in what grand mansion he will be ensconced in to personally thank him for the destruction  and damage he has wrought to them.

• Editorial Board

Albus Brooks