Dark Store: Walmart Parent Company Sues

by Ashe in America | Jan 24, 2020 | Glendale City News

32 Colorado Counties To Reduce Tax Bill

by Robert Davis

Walmart Stores, Inc., the parent company of retail behemoth Walmart, is suing half the counties in Colorado to lower its property tax bills based on a shady legal idea known simply as the “Dark Store Theory.”

The theory says that the property value of a closed down big-box retailer store should be tied to the traditional real estate sales approach, where valuation is determined by the stores surrounding it. Under this theory, a Walmart store that is listed for sale for $11 million while a Hobby Lobby nearby is on the market for $5 million would be overvalued.

But assessors argue that this theory completely misconstrues what gives a property its value: location. Walmart has a long history of opening stores in areas that are strategically important to the company, whether it provides logistical efficiency or a larger labor pool. This strategy makes the company’s property more valuable because of the web-like network that comes with it.

Walmart contends that its business practices should not weigh into the valuation of its stores, and that argument has gained little traction recently. In July, Colorado’s Board of Equalization (BOE), the agency that sets property tax values across the state, denied Walmart’s property tax complaint. This rejection prompted the retailer to issue its lawsuits in county courts.

In August, a judge in Pulaski County, Arkansas, rebuked Walmart’s argument that the company should pay fewer property taxes because their stores are retrofitted to the company’s specific needs and, therefore, cannot fetch a fair price on the open market.

The case in Pulaski County concerned a 2017 tax assessment of $145 million between Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Neighborhood Market. Walmart tried to reduce the total assessed property value to $93.8 million, and then slashed the value to $74.3 million, a 48 percent drop.

Opponents argue that if Walmart prevails in this argument, then the value of an empty store would be set by a vacant lot in a different state.

Walmart’s Littleton-based attorney Brian Huebsch tried to find a way around this impasse by arguing that Colorado county assessors did not account for the store’s 24-hour operability into their valuations. This causes the company to replace items such as cash registers and furniture used in daily operations more frequently than other businesses.

Huebsch declined requests to comment on this story, saying that he doesn’t comment on open cases.

The lawsuit also argues that Walmart is experiencing difficulty reselling these items because other retailers are closing, thereby reducing demand and value of the goods.

La Plata County’s assessor Carrie Woodson told The Durango Herald that she and her staff have not seen evidence of Walmart reselling its property, despite monitoring the company’s operations for several years. In fact, Woodson asserts, she believes Walmart is actually just throwing away their damaged products, making them fully exposed to being taxed.

Over $4.5 million in school district funding was at stake in the Pulaski case while only $20,000 is at stake in La Plata.

In Arapahoe County, Walmart sought to recoup nearly $29 million in property taxes on eight stores located in Aurora, Centennial, and Englewood. The company argued that “economic depression” of its furniture and point of sale systems (POS) warranted a 25 percent reduction in its tax value. Arapahoe County ended up settling the case with Walmart for a 12.8 percent reduction in its tax assessment, essentially handing the company $14 million.

Other assessors, both in and out of Colorado, are saying that this tactic is a symptom of a larger disease spreading throughout corporate America. Namely, that megacorporations are attempting to use their financial might to beat small counties into submission in order to lower their property taxes.

One study by CityLab found that over 230 similar property tax claims have been filed across the U.S. since 2015, most of which ask for a 50 percent reduction in tax assessments. However, a majority of the claims were settled for 15 percent reductions because counties simply cannot afford the cost of litigating the claims for as long as corporations can.

Smaller counties typically feel the brunt of this argument because of their fiscal constraints. However, all 32 Colorado counties currently have plans to defend each other when the lawsuits are brought before a judge.

Walmart brought in over $514 billion in total revenue, and employed over 2.2 million people across the country in 2019. The company earned a gross profit of $126 billion from its revenue. This represents a two-percent increase in profit from 2018. Walmart’s gross profits have increased every year since 1995.

Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions By Eating Healthy And Staying On Budget With These Affordable Healthy Food Options In Denver

by Jessica Hughes | Dec 16, 2019 | Glendale City News

by Jessica Hughes

True Food Kitchen — Location: 2800 E 2nd Ave.

A national chain that has found a home in Denver’s Cherry Creek shopping district, True Food Kitchen is a casual, yet chic, healthy dining option. With earth-like elements including green chairs, a butcher block bar, and speckles of greenery at each table, you can’t help but feel good about eating here. Offering both seasonal dishes and staple items, patrons will enjoy a full menu of soups, salads, pizza, bowls, burgers and sandwiches, and an assorted mix of healthy entrees. Even their cocktail menu leaves little guilt on the table with their Beets by Jon (organic vodka, red beet, lemon, and pineapple) and their Juniper Rose (rose-in-fused gin, lime, grapefruit, thyme). Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.

Try: Spicy Panang Curry ($14)

Vital Root — Location: 3915 Tennyson St.

Found in the hip and trendy neighborhood of Berkeley, Vital Root is a local food company committed to providing nutritious and delicious food. The multi-level modern space, filled with botanical art and good, clean food, offers both weekend brunch and an everyday menu, plus grab-and-go food options and a happy hour you can feel good about with their $4 juice of the day. Using ingredients such as coconut, dates, sunflower and avocado oil, and ancient grains, their food is designed with the healthiest ingredients as possible. Dedicated to those with food allergies and dietary restrictions, an outdoor sign asks that no outside food or drink be brought indoors as they operate a gluten-free kitchen.

Try: Sunflower Risotto ($13)

Vert Kitchen

Location: 704 South Pearl St.

Nestled between the homes of North Washington Park, Vert Kitchen offers a small café space with big flavor. Serving up lunch and brunch options made with organic and locally sourced ingredients, you will no doubt feel good about what you are eating. Everything is made in-house using French cuisine techniques, 100% organic produce, plus all-natural and sustainable meats and dairy. Take a sip at the café and bar for freshly brewed coffee, natural wines, and premium beers. Enjoy your meal indoors in their cozy café atmosphere or take yours outside to their backyard patio-filled, with green and garden elements.

Try: Salad du Marche ($16)

Green Seed Market

Location: 2669 Larimer St.

Located inside the Denver Central Market, Green Seed Market is a neighborhood market with a twist. Pick your poison of fresh vegetables and fruits for purchase or order a custom soup, salad, veggie bowl, acai bowl, smoothie, or fresh juice to take home with you. With a focus on offering the produce of the season, Green Seed Market is dedicated to bringing foods to the neighborhood most would not find at their local grocery stores.

Try: Gangsta’s Paradise ($9.50)

Whole Sol Blend Bar

Location: 1735 Chestnut Pl.

Home to Denver and Boulder’s only USDA certified organic juice bar, Whole Sol offers a fresh twist on healthy foods. 100 percent dairy free, gluten-free, and organic, you can feel confident what you order is good for your soul. Known for their smoothie bowls and cold-pressed juices, you can’t go wrong with either. Don’t want to eat it as a bowl? Just ask and they will turn your bowl into a smoothie. Take your bowl to the next level with additional add-ons including their own Newtella, greens, granola, and plant protein.

Try: I Like You Matcha ($10)

Just Be Kitchen

Location: 2364 15th St.

A haven for the food conscious, Just Be Kitchen serves up 100 percent gluten-free, soy-free, and grain-free food options that cater to Paleo, Whole30, Keto, and AIP friendly diets. A seasonal menu offers breakfast, brunch, and dinner options. Plus, an entire menu dedicated to the Whole30 diet, including its very own bone broth bar. For sipping, try a gluten-free beer or a crafty cocktail using reduced grain-free spirits.

Try: Radiant, sweet potato gnocchi ($12.50)

Mercury Café

Location: 2199 California St.

Get a mix of it all at the Mercury Café. Known for its dance lessons and live music, the restaurant has also made a name for itself for its fresh organic dishes. Everything on the menu is gluten-free, except the bread. Get down this year with organic foods and a dance lesson or two.

Try: Pagan Vegan Plate ($10)

Superfruit Republic

Locations: 7483 E. 29th Pl. &

1776 Broadway, Suite 115

A fast-casual café, Superfruit Republic serves up tasty acai bowls packed with the nutrients a healthy body craves. With two locations now in Denver, visitors can choose from organic acai bowls, fruit smoothies, and fresh juices. Add a boost to your bowl or smoothie with coconut flakes, goji berries, or any fruit/nut blend.

Try: The Blueberry Pumpkin (large bowl $9.50)

Watercourse Foods

Location: 837 E. 17th Ave.

Catering to vegans everywhere, Watercourse Foods serves up what they call “vegan comfort food.” With their fresh ingredients prepared daily and friendly atmosphere, they make eating healthy easy to do. With an extensive breakfast and brunch menu, plus salads and sandwiches and dinner entrees, visitors can eat healthy all day long. Don’t forget to wash your food down with locally brewed kombucha on tap!

Try: Za’atar Eggplant ($16)

Vitality Bowls

Location: 2702 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO 80206

A national chain restaurant, Vitality Bowls, offers a location in Denver’s Cherry Creek shopping district. With smoothies, bowls, salads, paninis, soups, and juices, there are options for any meal of the day. Their signature bowls and smoothies are made with the best ingredients available and do not include fillers like artificial preservatives. Gluten-free options are available.

Try: for energy try the Vitality Bowl ($10.49)

Home Is Where The Heart Is: One Man’s Journey Back Home

by Jessica Hughes | Nov 22, 2019 | Glendale City News

by Jessica Hughes

It’s been over 50 years since Ed and Connie Thomas first met here in Denver, nearly 47 years since they bought their first and only home together, and 25 years since Connie was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis.

The first 15 years after the diagnosis Connie seemed to be doing okay, but eventually the disease advanced to the point where she couldn’t work and had to retire. While Ed took care of her in the beginning of her diagnosis, he could no longer handle the responsibility of caring for his wife. He had to make the difficult decision to move his beloved Connie into an assisted living facility, and soon the house became too much for one man. So, he resolved to sell their family home.

A former Denver City Councilman, a police officer of 23 years with the Denver Police Department, and former editor of the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, Ed Thomas has played an important role in the Denver community. With his decision to move, he soon found himself seeking support from the community that he helped serve and protect for so many years.

Friends of the family, Ashlie Woods and Barbara Betcher, two brokers from the local Denver real estate firm Leonard Leonard & Associates, stepped in to assist Ed with the sale of his home. Woods and Betcher, who have known Ed for over 20 years, told him, “we’ll get you through this and we’re ready to help in any way we can.”

Woods and Betcher were there from the beginning, in 2016 when the decision was made to move Connie into assisted living, for not only the physical process of moving but the emotional process as well.

“They took control of the entire process and did everything that needed to be done. I was a basket case, and they handled everything,” Ed recounts. The decision to sell did not come easily. Ed’s home meant, and still means, everything to him. It’s where he spent his adulthood raising his family, a son and a daughter, and where he welcomed home his three grandchildren. It is the only place he had known for years.

Woods describes the entire process as “a hands-on project, from beginning to end.” First, they needed to clear out the house and downsize Ed’s belongings. Ashlie took the time to walk through with Ed, often a couple times a week, to determine what needed to go and what he could keep.

Next, Woods and Betcher needed to get the house in shape and ready to show. They began with making small repairs including updating the flooring, plaster fixes, and other jobs to ensure the house was in saleable condition. They hired a staging company, while Betcher helped with most of the staging.

Thomas proclaims, “It was absolutely perfect and spotless.” So much so, that the first weekend the house went up for sale, one of the first couples to walk through the door said, “We’ll take it.”

The house went under contract quickly, selling for asking price the first weekend it was on the market.

With the quick sale of his home, Thomas needed to move, and do it soon. When moving day came, Woods was there, stepping in for his daughter, who could not be there to help. Without hesitation, Woods assumed the role and offered her help.

In helping find Thomas a more permanent home, Betcher found the condo Ed resides in now, making sure he didn’t overpay and negotiated the best deal for him.

Woods describes Thomas as a “real trooper throughout this whole process.” With just his son here in Denver, Woods and Betcher assumed the role of family and not just the professionals they are.

Taking the lead throughout the entire process, Woods and Betcher went above and beyond what was required of them, all without taking a commission for three years worth of work.

While life didn’t quite turn out as expected, Thomas feels blessed to have his wife still with him despite this disease. He is grateful for his life and what it has afforded him and is appreciative of the community that gathered around him in a time of need.

Simply put, “You don’t get that lucky in life very often,” Thomas expresses with gratitude.

Thomas says he would not have survived this situation without his children, Betcher, or Woods. And for those who find themselves in a similar situation, Thomas shares this sentiment: “Cherish the love of your family and friends because one day you will need them.”

Strong Family: A family that has stayed together with the help of their community.

Slums Of The Future?

by Regan Bervar | Oct 28, 2019 | Glendale City News

The Long-Term Viability Of Fast-Delivery Denver Apartment Buildings

by Luke Schmaltz

Although the official Colorado state bird is the Lark Bunting, it has seemingly been replaced across the greater Denver metro area by the crane. For the past several years, the Mile-High City skyline has become increasingly dotted with these towering industrial effigies — as long-standing, recently demolished structures are replaced with mid-rise odes to blandness. These rapidly erected residential buildings have earned disparaging nicknames from journalists and pedestrian critics alike such as fugly, McUrbanist, fast-casual architecture, contemporary contempt, LoMo (low modern), blandmarks and spongebuild squareparts.

A New Development

In 2015, Denver adopted the International Building Code (IBC) which allows for podium-style mid-rise residential buildings to be primarily constructed of wood rather than concrete and steel. The new code meant that a two-story concrete base known as a “podium” could be vertically succeeded by up to five levels of wood-framed construction. This, in turn, opened the door for a host of money-saving dynamics such as unspecialized labor, cost-effective raw materials and quicker completion timelines.

A Nationwide Trend

This generic approach to residential development is not unique to Denver, rather, it is a trend rearranging the personalities of inner cities from Seattle to Austin and Minneapolis to Charlotte. The rising costs of land, labor and certain building materials has made wood framing the default method of construction — allowing for the creation of a business model with an attractive bottom line even though the product itself is anything but.

Supply And Demand

According to The Denver Post, area developers had 26,916 apartment units under construction at the end of 2018, with a projected minimum of 12,000 units to be built every year for the foreseeable future. This number is dwarfed by projections from Cary Bruteig, owner of Denver’s Apartment Insights, a data reporting company that expects 2019 apartment construction to render upward of 25,700 units in 2019.

The phenomenon of cheaply resourced, quickly erected residential structures gives rise to the issue of longevity. Will these light-frame, wood fortified dwellings with flat window facades and multi-colored exterior panels maintain their appeal at the same price point into the next decade? A surging demand for affordable housing meets that question with a resounding “yes.” Yet, in the event of a recession or if cheap construction proves to fail the test of time, these aesthetic atrocities may prove to be the 21st Century equivalent of 19th century balloon-frame buildings — which were defined as being poorly maintained, substandard housing for the lowest social rung of tenancy just above homeless. Lest history forget, these structures were reduced to ash in tragic events such as the San Francisco Fire of 1851 and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The Price Of Cost-Effective Construction

While lack of aesthetic appeal and inflated prices brought on by high demand are obvious drawbacks, economically built wood frame construction buildings also carry several subsurface concerns. Structures of this sort are susceptible to moisture being drawn into wall cavities, where it can become trapped and foster wood rot due to humidity and the growth of mold. The latter, in turn, can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions from occupants. Wood framed buildings are also known for attracting termites, having low thermal mass (ability to retain heat), offering poor sound insulation between units, being vulnerable to fire damage and emitting volatile organic and chemical compounds which diminish indoor air quality.

Distractions Abound

In a preemptive strategy to counter this possibility, many developments are attracting top dollar clientele by offering deluxe, high-end amenities. Luxuries such as on-site car washes, dry cleaners, full-range fitness centers, work-from-home office areas, dog runs, complementary weekend brunches and valet trash services aim to disguise the fact that most tenants are living in identical boxes built by unskilled workers laboring at breakneck speed. These overpriced cookie cutter domiciles include few, if any features which discern one unit from another and zero signs of craftsmanship, personalization or style. Many excited tenants, however, are far too distracted by innovative diversions such as goat yoga, Zen gardens, tanning beds, old-school video arcades, bowling alleys and free beer.

High-End On The Rise

An abundance of amenities, perks, on-site attractions, as well as the inimitable allure of being the first tenant in a new apartment, all add to the exorbitant rental prices brought on by a high demand for housing. A new rental in a high-end downtown Denver facility can run pretty high — such as $7,000+ for 1,324 square feet at Union Denver to $15,000 or more per month for a penthouse suite at The Confluence. Of course, not all rates are mouth-droppingly Manhattan-esque, as many units appeal to a more philistine price point such as a studio at The Verve on Delgany for just $1,563 or a studio at the Country Club Towers on Bayaud for a mere $1,855.

A Long-Term Diagnosis

The professional opinion of master carpenter Richard Welker sheds some long-term light on the subject of sustainability. Welker, a longtime Denver resident who recently relocated to Portland, has personally worked on hundreds of wood-frame apartment units. He attests “lumber isn’t what it used to be, but long-term, you can always repair the guts of something that is made of wood. Theoretically, if stringent maintenance protocols are followed, these buildings could last a really long time.” This statement clearly places long-term viability on building owners and managers, and whether they continue to be inhabited long after their new veneer has worn away depends on what, if any, aesthetic taste tenants may have. Plainly put, if people are willing to pay to rent dwellings that are ugly and overpriced, they will continue to dominate the rental marketplace and the skylines of inner city, U.S.A.

The Goodwill Of Neighbors: Fighting Dilapidation In Huntington Estates

by Ashe in America | Sep 23, 2019 | Glendale City News

by Robert Davis

Residents in the Huntington Estates neighborhood are crying foul that two doctors are allowed to allow their property to continue to be in disrepair and neither the neighborhood covenants nor Arapahoe County can stop them.

“All of us are tired of looking at the dilapidated and unoccupied house,” Dick Pond, the treasurer of the neighborhood Home Owners Association, told the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an email. “The HOA and a few neighbors have tried to contact the Brauns about it, but we keep getting the same answer, that they’ll be selling it soon.”

The owners, Tom and Carol Braun, left their house on East Evans Way 15 years ago after purchasing a bigger home on the other side of the neighborhood. Now, their old house sits on a plot of dead grass and overgrown shrubs. Bits of glass from the windows litter the yard.

Pond and other members of the HOA leadership team have tried to contact the Brauns on numerous occasions about the property. They’ve also sent letters to their new residence warning the Brauns that if they hold on to the property too long they might miss out on the wave of rising home values in the area.

“Values in the city and our local area are on the rise and several families in the neighborhood are trying to sell or will be soon,” one letter dated April 28, 2013 reads. “This could again be a lovely home, if only it were occupied and maintained. However, many solar panels are missing or broken, gutters are falling off or missing, and the front yard is dirt and weeds.”

The Brauns did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this story.

Power Of Association

State laws generally give HOAs vast powers to control the aesthetics of their neighborhood. Each county adopts their own laws regarding the powers of these associations as well.

However, those laws are only enforceable if the HOA is registered with the state. HOAs that make more than $5,000 per year are required to register with both the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Director of Real Estate (DRE). Those making less than $5,000 annually only register with the DRE and are not held to the same standards of reporting.

Huntington Estates’ HOA is informal, as resident Paul Hanley describes it. While this structure may benefit homeowners in that there are no monthly HOA dues to pay, it also makes it difficult to take decisive action against the Brauns.

“The covenant governing the neighborhood was written back in the 1960s, and it’s weak compared to today’s standards,” Hanley said. “But, this is what happens when you don’t live in a municipality. You may pay less in taxes, but you get less government in return.”

Residents have contacted Arapahoe County about the Brauns’ house many times, but the County’s answer is never simple. Since Huntington Estates is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County, local ordinances don’t carry much weight. Instead, the county relies on the principles of fairness to adjudicate disputes among neighbors.

“They’ve basically told us that because the farmers and ranchers nearby can allow barns and other structures on their property to dilapidate, then so can homeowners in Huntington Estates,” Hanley said.

Hanley also admitted that some residents had discussed attempting to strengthen Huntington Estate’s covenants, but doing so requires a unanimous vote among homeowners.

“It would really just be more trouble than it’s worth,” Hanley said.

Living Trust

According to Arapahoe County property tax records, the Brauns’ house is currently owned by a living trust in Carol’s name. Typically, wealthy homeowners put property into living trusts if they plan on passing it on after death.

Some residents worry that there may be a financial incentive for the Brauns to let their property dilapidate, and that this incentive could negatively affect their home values.

“Many neighbors have expressed concern about your disregard for the condition of the abandoned house and about the market values of their own properties as a result,” the HOA letter reads. “In addition, the community is concerned about any potential health or environmental impact as a result of the continued declining condition and lack of care for the property.”

Colorado is one of 38 states that doesn’t charge an estate tax. Even so homeowners can still be charged a federal estate tax after their death. Under prime circumstances, married couples can protect up to $22.28 million under the federal exemption guidelines. A single homeowner can protect an estate valuing up to $11.18 million, according to the IRS.

By allowing their home to dilapidate, the Brauns could avoid paying estate taxes all together. They currently own two homes, one of which was purchased for just under $600,000 while the median home value of the neighborhood is close to a half-million. Factor in a few savvy investments and they could be leaving behind a nice nest egg with no tax burden.

However, the majority of the neighbors just want the problem to go away. They’re tired of seeing the home slowly crumble while homes that are near it have had a tough time staying full.

“This is really a case of buyer beware,” Hanley said. “We’re basically subject to the goodwill of our neighbors on this one.”

City Council Appoints Lobbyist To Citizen Oversight Board

by Ashe in America | Aug 23, 2019 | Glendale City News

by Robert Davis

The line between the City of Denver and its lobbying community got much thinner after Roger Sherman, a managing partner at CRL Associates, was appointed to the Citizen Oversight Board (COB) by a 9-3 vote by City Council.

Denverite first reported that Sherman, who worked behind the scenes on the sale of the Park Hill Golf Club and the NO on 300 campaign, was Council’s first choice for the appointment.

“We have 700,000 people who live in Denver, and another 300,000 people come to Denver every business day — totaling one million people,” newly elected District 10 Councilman Chris Hinds told the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle in an emailed statement. “It is difficult to believe that the “one in a million” choice from City Council is the managing partner of the largest lobbying firm for the city.”

Members of COB are first nominated by the Mayor and then confirmed by City Council. Sherman’s appointment came just two days after Mayor Michael Hancock won re-election.

According to records from the Denver Elections Division, CRL made generous campaign contributions during the 2019 municipal elections. In total, CRL contributed nearly $4,000 to Mayor Michael Hancock’s re-election campaign, while doling out contributions to City Council candidates as well.

Sherman personally donated $250 to District 2 representative Kevin Flynn, and the firm’s Chief Strategy Officer Kim Kucera donated the same amount to Albus Brooks’ campaign against Candi CdeBaca in District 9. Councilwoman Robin Kniech received $2,000 from CRL’s founding partner Maria Garcia Berry in December 2018 and received the same amount again in February 2019 from the firm itself.

During the City Council meeting, Kniech underscored Sherman’s qualification, experience, and “strong voice” for police accountability as her reasons for supporting his nomination.

“[Sherman] not only has experience working with COB, but also has a track record of coming to City Council and advocating for stronger oversight of the police department,” Kniech said. “So, for those who have said they’re afraid this appointment might be too favorable to the Mayor’s Office, there is simply no evidence of that.”

COB assesses the effectiveness of the Monitor’s Office and has the authority to appoint people to the Office of the Independent Monitor, which oversees the police department. Even so, COB neither advises the mayor’s office nor oversees any functions of the police department. It is simply a screening body, according to Kniech.

Three of the newly elected Council members voted against the appointment, including Hinds, CdeBaca, and Amanda Sawyer (District 5).

CdeBaca attempted to have Sherman’s appointment delayed until August 5 in order to allow time for a public hearing. Other members were less concerned with hearing public comments, citing an adopted resolution from earlier in 2019 introduced by Councilmembers Kniech, Paul Lopez, and Paul Kashmann, which “strengthened the purview of COB”, according to Kashmann. The resolution increased the number of board members from seven to nine.

“I don’t think this is an issue or question of qualifications,” CdeBaca said. “I think this is an issue of consolidated power. Sherman is a well-known member of CRL and has recently led the opposition to [Initiative] 300, where there have been numerous police violations. Now, we’re selecting someone to nominate people and oversee that entity.”

CdeBaca cited a recent Colorado Public Radio article that details the close relationship between Denver’s Big 3 lobbying firms and the city government. In total, the Big 3 have done over $1 billion in city work in Hancock’s previous two terms as mayor and have acted as a revolving door linking the Mayor’s office and the lobbying community.

“With the contacts that Mr. Sherman has, I am doubtful that he would be nominating or screening the appropriate people for this role,” CdeBaca said. “We should be nominating people with direct connections to the community who demanded this role and this board.”