by Valley Gadfly | Sep 26, 2023 | Main Articles
We Have Bats In Our Belfry, As The One-Day Holiday Is Now A Month Of Freakish Parties, Spooky Street People, Ghoulish Shows
by Glen Richardson
Hoot And A Scream: Spooktacular displays such as Wild Fall and Glow at the Gardens are among Halloween events that create vocal expressions of creepy feeling from attendees.
Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and shortage, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition.
It has become a month of ghoulish, hilarious fun in the Cherry Creek Valley. An amusing, exciting month when people project their fears in a safe and playful way.
Here’s the Chronicle’s monster month list of bewitching places to go and things to do to have a “fang-tastic” time while keeping “spirits” bright:
Sweet & Scary Cherry Creek Shopping, Oct. 1-31 — The spirit of Halloween once again lurks in this popular business district, pressing families to prowl among more than 300 stores for fall fashions, home furnishings, and accessories. The district is lined with pumpkins and decorations, plus food trucks selling treats and hot cocoa. Information: 303-394-2904.
Fright Fest, Oct. 1-28 — Elitch Gardens is transformed weekly on Sat.-Sun. from a day theme-water park into a family Halloween Fright By Night escapade. Information: 303-595-4386.
Denver Horror Story Cabaret, Oct. 5-26 — The most haunted room in town presents a burlesque tribute to the characters of American Horror Story, 7-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Halloween Howls: October begins a month-long list of ghoulish, hilarious Halloween events for families to celebrate the holiday in a safe, playful way.
Mile High Horror Film Festival, Oct. 6-12 — In its unlucky 13th year, enjoy terrifying tales, performances by actors and actresses, plus horror-sci-fi films at various spots around Denver. Information: mhhff.com.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo, Oct. 7 — Shop Halloween artwork, antiques, skulls, bones, and funeral collectibles at the Convention Center, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 303-447-0816.
The Twi-Fright Zone, Oct. 11 — Indigo Moon & Soul Penny Circus does Science Fiction Tales, Horror Tropes, at the Clocktower Cabaret, 7 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Ghosts In The Gardens, Oct. 12-15 & Oct. 26-29 — Conjure up your courage as you walk Denver Botanic Gardens’ dimly lit paths after hours and listen to haunting stories. Feeling bold, visit the Beaux-Arts style mansion, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Friday The 13th, Oct. 13 — Canadian group Aerialists entertains followed by Halloween movies at Wings Over the Rockies Museum, 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. Information: 303-369-5360.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 14-15 — Pick pumpkins, shop vendor market, while enjoying music and performances at Four Mile Historic Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Bigfoot Forward: The Denver Zoo is swapping Boo at the Zoo for Wild Fall this year. Event has Bigfoot and costumed creatures, but focus is on education and connecting guests with nature.
Glow At The Gardens, Oct. 17-22 — The Denver Botanic Gardens will once again glow in a one-of-a-kind incandescent spectacle filled with family Halloween fun. Lined with a spooktacular display of massive, glowing jack-o’-lanterns that light up the night, guests will get the full creepy feeling of the Halloween season. Bands and performing artists play classic Halloween favorites during shows which are accompanied by food and drinks, 6-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Wild Fall, Oct. 18-28 — The Denver Zoo is replacing “Boo at the Zoo,” — celebrated since the 1990s — with a jamboree titled “Wild Fall” this year. Albeit somewhat similar, the new zoo-sanctioned event will have a stronger focus on education and connecting attendees with nature. In the spirit of Halloween, the event will include costumed creatures, Bigfoot, professional pumpkin carvings, and animal demonstrations. Children can also enjoy face painting and pumpkin decoration stations. The event, however, won’t have trick-or-treat stations. Information: 720-337-1400.
Parade On Broadway: As Halloween hoots intensify, the 6th annual Broadway Halloween Parade drums-up excitement for the holiday. Spooky floats, bands, and marchers trek from 5th Ave. to Alameda on Oct. 23, starting at 6 p.m.
Broadway Halloween Parade, Oct. 23 — Costumed spectators are again expected to line up along the stretch of Broadway from 5th Ave. to Alameda Ave. for the Broadway Halloween Parade. Hosted by the Broadway Merchants Assn., the 6th annual procession will feature assorted spooky floats, ban
ds, and marchers. The parade is expected to start at approximately 6 p.m. Once the parade ends everyone is invited to join the marchers on the street. An assortment of local merchants, restaurants, and theaters offer post events to complement and enhance the festivities. Information: 303-282-0377.
Harvest Hoot, Oct. 27-28 — Wear costume while enjoying fall activities, fang-tastic bites, and games at the Children’s Museum at Marsico Campus, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-433-7444.
Halloween Haunt, Oct. 28 — Evening of creepy crafts, pumpkin decorating, crawly critters, and games for kids & adults hosted by Four Mile Park, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Coloween, Oct. 28-29 — The biggest among dozens of h
Fantasy And Fashion: Coloween, city’s biggest Halloween party, has a fantasy- fashion theme this year. Event moves to the 50,000-sq.-ft. Stockyards Event Center, Oct. 28-29.
uge Denver Halloween parties, this year’s Halloween Ball moves to the 50,000-sq.-ft. Stockyards Event Center, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. This year’s “Fantasy and Fashion” themed party will feature club and EDM DJs, local talents, plus mind-bending immersive installations. Dressed attendees compete to win $2,000 in costume cash prizes. Information: 720-663-1414.
Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 29 — Concert for all boys and ghouls, features music from films & TV. Wear costumes for a ghostly-good time at Boettcher, 2.30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Protect The Hero, Oct. 31 — Ontario’s Canadian progressive metal band celebrates Halloween with the Moon Tooth band at the Bluebird Theater, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 26, 2023 | Main Articles
RugbyTown Pursues Peaceful Pickleball-Tennis Court Plan; Renovated, Renamed Mir Park Will Have Four Pickleball Courts
by Glen Richardson
Glendale Gathering Place: Glendale Sports Center has three indoor pickleball courts, plus four outdoor courts. Players have access to food, restrooms, water, and lights.
Pickleball is Denver’s and America’s fastest growing sport, but as the pastime has exploded in popularity, so have sports squabbles. The pock-pock and pop of the wooden paddle against the plastic wiffle ball is jarring people in neighborhoods nationwide.
With a broad new fan base in Denver, and across the state, a limited number of pickleball courts are causing constant battles. Sleep-loving neighbors, tennis players, and schoolchildren say their courts and playgrounds are being seized by pickleball players. Shouting matches, turf wars, and worse are the result. “Pickleball Is The Wild, Wild, West,” a Sports Illustrated cover story characterized the constant bad behavior and fighting.
In March of last year, the City of Denver created a fury by arresting 71-year-old Arslan Guney — known as “the Mayor of Pickleball” — for drawing squares on the basketball court at the Central Park Rec Center. A short time later, Denver closed Congress Park courts because of noise complaints. The city also put plans for a new court in Sloan’s Lake on hold because of noise worries. Further south, Centennial imposed a moratorium on court construction within 500-ft. of homes, also due to noise unease.
Complaints, Claims
Pickleball Poaching: Like so many courts across the metro area, Glendale’s two outdoor tennis courts were dominated by pickleball players, preventing residents from playing tennis.
Accusations of “Mafia tactics” and drones sent on intelligence-gathering missions, are among the accusations made in San Diego’s pickleball-tennis war. In San Francisco, legions of pickleball players crave more space to play, claiming to be “brushed off” by San Francisco’s Parks & Recreation Department.
In New York City, community boards have taken up complaints from parents of school children who say their youngsters have to compete for public park space with pickleball players. In Florida and dozens of other states, residents who live near courts constantly complain about noise, according to press reports.
From 100-ft. away, experts say pickleball whacks can reach 70-dBA — a measure of decibels used to gauge sound level. Everyday outside background noise typically tops off at a “somewhat annoying 55,” according to accounts.
Peaceful Paddle Play
Rebirth, Revival: Rejuvenation of Mir Park will feature pickleball courts, plus a new basketball court, picnic shelter, updated restroom facilities, and landscaping.
The city that brought the pitch (playing field) and rugby to America, is now pitching-in with a plan to promote and build the sport. While municipalities in Colorado and across the nation admit that they aren’t ready to embrace the pickleball paddle battle, Glendale — the tiny 0.6-sq.-mile town surrounded by Denver — is preparing to cuddle and court both tennis and the paddle sport of Pickleball.
Glendale certainly has experience shepherding in a new, growing sport, having built the first U.S. rugby-specific stadium and earning the name RugbyTown USA. Chuck Line — Glendale City Manager — says “it’s about creating diverse opportunities” in the middle of the pickleball boom. The way he sees it, “If people want to play tennis, let them play. If it’s pickleball they want to play, they can play pickleball.”
To ensure the two games play peacefully together, Glendale is separating tennis and pickleball play by making it illegal to bring pickleball nets onto tennis courts and building new courts. A city council ordinance also bars placing chairs or stools on courts, using snow shovels or scrapers on courts, and marking courts with permanent or temporary lines illegal on both pickleball and tennis courts. High-definition cameras will be used to monitor courts. It may be the first ordinance of its kind in Colorado, or possibly the nation. Violations in Glendale can result in a misdemeanor offense.
Playmaker Park
Super Small Spot: Despite not being big and flashy, sports flourish in Glendale. Sports culture continues to be how this competitive community defines and presents itself to the world.
The “you’re more than welcome” outdoor recreation attitude in Glendale sets it apart from the surrounding larger cities. It’s a can-do spirit that makes things happen, rather than the too often tentative, indecisive approach common in surrounding Parks & Recreation sectors.
Now Glendale is renovating, redesigning, and renaming Mir Park — the hidden gem of a park off South Elm St. and East Central Ave. near a Goodwill Center — as Glendale Park.
The nearly $1.5 million rejuvenation project will feature four new Pickleball Courts, a new Basketball Court, new Picnic Shelter, updated Restroom Facilities, landscaping, and more. ECI Site Construction Management, Inc. is doing the upgrades and repair work. Completion is expected as soon as this month. Since the city’s Public Works and the close-knit Glendale-Cherry Creek community hold outdoor spaces in such high regard, both games will once again begin to be thoroughly enjoyed.
Courting Compromise
Glendale Gamechanger: Redesign and renovation of Mir Park is part of city’s pickleball-tennis peacemaking plan. Renamed Glendale Park, greenspace will be four new Pickleball Courts.
Glendale’s two outdoor tennis courts — like so many others across the metro area — have been dominated by pickleball players, preventing residents from playing tennis.
The city even drew pickleball’s smaller court dimensions at the E. Kentucky & S. Birch St. site in an attempt to allow dual-play. Tennis players, however, found the lines distracting during matches. Pickleball poaching was constant, according to Kelly Legler, Glendale Sports Center program manager. “Tennis players were regularly rebuffed,” she notes.
Glendale’s approach of segregating play between designated facilities is a “great compromise” and being applauded by both tennis and pickleball players. Neither the city nor players want tennis excluded. Followers and admirers of each game concur the sports should be splendid together, and have “got to go good together” in the future.
Sports Center Pickleball
Pickleball can also be played at the Glendale Sports Center on E. Kentucky Ave. Managed by the YMCA, there are seven acrylic courts, three are indoors and four are outdoors.
The lines on courts at the Glendale Center are permanent, but players need to bring their own net. Courts are free and players have access to food, restaurants, water, and lights.
Outfitted with modern equipment and offering extensive fitness programs for every age and fitness level, the Center has been a community resource since 2008. Information: 303-639-4711.
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 28, 2023 | Main Articles
Waste Management Struggles To Clear Garbage Glut Due To Funding, Staff, Policies, Plus An Aging Truck Fleet
by Glen Richardson
Scraping By: City Auditor Timothy O’Brien says Denver’s new trash collection program is not effectively designed to ensure stable funding, thereby worsening service and delivery to residents.
Welcome to the “Denver Dump,” where garbage and debris are overtaking our streets, highways, and neighborhoods. The city’s stunning landscapes are gasping in garbage.
What’s behind the Mile High waste management mess? Certainly, we’re all individually responsible. Coloradans create 47 tons of waste per person, ninth in the nation. Moreover, Colorado is creating the nation’s third most new waste per capita.
Cause of Denver’s growing garbage glut is complicated and confusing. It ranges from decisions such as removing dumpsters (to give police clear alleyway sight lines), to cutting extra trash collections from every four weeks to eight weeks. Lack of policies, data, funding, and staff are heightened by an aging waste collection truck fleet. Furthermore, the first citywide change in trash routes in 15 years is increasing spikes in missed trash pickups.
Mess Along Highways
Thoroughfare Trash: CDOT cleans up trash on highways and interstates around Denver, but their job focuses on debris blocking the road, not the trash. Credit: 9NEWS
In addition to Denver’s Waste Management, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation or CDOT, cleans up debris and trash along the highways and interstates around the city. Reports of trash piling up on the shoulders, medians, and off ramps are constant. The agency says their maintenance section is seeing an increase in littering based on debris calls, costs, and pickups. Workers say the most serious problem is drivers failing to secure loads. Illegal trash dumping also continues to be a top problem complicating their work.
Pickup Problems: A 21% driver vacancy rate last year may double this year due to expanded recycling-compost service. First route change in 15 years has added to missed pickups.
Debris cleanup uses 5% or more the department’s budget, amounting to $2 million or more in Metro Denver. Maintenance crews must daily prioritize their work based on road repairs and hazards to drivers. Priority is given to blocked traffic lanes, guard rail repairs, and sign replacements. Snow and ice removal during winter months moves to the top of their list.
CDOT also relies on the Adopt-A-Highway programs, which involve groups cleaning litter from small stretches of roads at least four times a year. Metro Denver residents can call CDOT customer service at 303-759-2368 or report concerns on their customer service website.
Trash Talk
Trashy Town Trek: Metro area streets and alleyways have been overflowing with trash since January. Residents fear blocked drains, flooding, and the spread of waterborne diseases.
Denver has a gargantuan waste problem. Trash cans around the metro area have been left overflowing since January of this year. Waste that goes uncollected can lead to blocked drains, flooding, and the spread of waterborne diseases. The problem isn’t new; as early as July 2021 Denver was receiving up to 1,000 trash-related complaints daily. A 2020 Solid Waste Master Plan was supposed to aid Waste Management’s staff and city leaders move Denver forward.
Beginning in January, Denver launched a new trash collection program known as “Pay As You Throw.” Approved by a split City Council, the policy was intended to motivate residents to recycle and compost more and keep trash out of landfills. The program faltered from the start — not a surprise as City Auditor Timothy O’Brien, CPA, warned the city wasn’t ready to implement the policy in November of 2022.
The city eliminated the $9.75 fee for composting, but sharply raised pickup fees based on the size of bins. Charges range from $9 per month for a small bin, $13 per month for a medium-sized bin, and $21 per month for a large bin.
Pay To Throw Blow
City Auditor O’Brien’s staff audited residential trash, recycling, and compost services late last year, releasing the report on Nov. 17, 2022.
His audit of Solid Waste Management — a Division of the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure — warned the city, the “pay-as-you-throw” program is not effectively designed to ensure stable funding or to advance Denver’s environmental goals. Furthermore, O’Brien warned, “it may worsen existing service and delivery to residents.”
At the January launch, around 30,000 residents traded in their large plastic carts for smaller ones to save on their trash bills. However, an investigation by CBS News found that 3,000 or more of the carts — which the manufacturer says are recyclable — were crushed and dumped in an area landfill by the City of Denver.
Rust Bucket Trucks
Dreamscape Dumpsite: If City gets its act together, Denver’s DADS dump site could look like Copenhagen’s waste-to-energy power plant that doubles as a ski slope and hiking trail.
The report stressed that the city is providing trash recycling and compost services using an aging fleet of trucks with a severely understaffed team.
Nearly half of the division’s fleet — including both waste collection trucks and other vehicles — have an estimated two years of useful life. Expected useful life for waste collection trucks is eight years, however, one truck still being used is 18 years old. The city spent more than $10 million between 2019 and 2021 on repairs for the aging trucks. Meanwhile, a new truck costs approximately $350,000. Drivers told auditors that equipment failures had kept them from completing their routes in the past six months.
Additionally, the city had a 21% vacancy rate among drivers as of June 2022. That vacancy rate could nearly double this year as more positions are needed for expanded recycling and compost service under volume-based pricing. Since 2021, drivers have been required to work overtime to complete routes and work voluntary overtime to clean up illegal dumping sites. Most of the drivers auditors heard from said they are looking to change jobs in the next 12 months.
Trash Route Trouble
Administrators, moreover, couldn’t explain or show documentation describing how they decided to change trash and recycling pick-up routes and schedules in 2022.
The first citywide change to trash routes in 15 years, it was intended to make collection reliable and consistent.
On the contrary, the route changes are blamed for accelerating spikes in reports of missed trash pickups. Managers told auditors the person who designed the new routes retired and the division did not keep the documentation.
Photos: Kevin J. Beaty & Ehrborn Hummreston
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 28, 2023 | Main Articles
Sold-Out Crowds Swing Open Dazzle’s New DCPA Digs; El Chapultepec Comeback To Host Fall Piano Bar ‘Late Set’
by Glen Richardson
Dazzling Virtuoso: Plucking and strumming guitarist Steve Kovalcheck dazzled and delighted the sell-out opening crowd at Dazzle’s new DCPA digs. Photo: CBS
Stellar Star: Entertainment at the sold-out gala opening starred Grammy nominated jazz vocalist-songwriter René Marie. Photo: Daniel Trujillo
They were genuine blood-pumping magical moments at Dazzle Jazz’s opening in the Denver Center for Performing Arts (DCPA) downtown. Owing to history, performers, and atmosphere, the joint swelled with followers, fans, and fanatics of all ages who were there to be swooned.
Denver night life has found its rhythm in the serendipitous new space. The club opened to two sold-out shows each night on Aug. 4-5, in Dazzle’s new digs on the corner of Arapahoe and 14th St. Stellar entertainment at the gala opening starred Grammy nominated jazz vocalist-songwriter René Marie.
In the traditions of Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and other leading ladies of jazz, Marie dazzled the first-time DCPA crowd with her imaginative way of performing jazz music. Her original material — including songs curated especially for the grand opening of the new location — explored the joy and the depths of human emotion in an elegant, energetic, expressive performance. Her weekend musical group included Dawn Clement, piano; John Gunther, sax; Steve Kovalcheck, guitar; Seth Lewis, bass; and Dru Heller, drums.
Jazzed By Art
Serendipity Space: What Dazzle’s new space at 1080 14th St. looks like. There are no blocks in anyone’s sightline in the venue that seats 143 people, with 23 seats in the bar area. Photo: David Rossa
A Denver jazz venue staple for 19 years — and ranked one of the Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World — Dazzle’s newest and third location in the Arts Complex features a space honoring Colorado’s diverse jazz legacy with the highest caliber of talent on the stage plus visual art on the walls.
The stage was a black box in the initial location at 930 Lincoln Street, while the cozy atmosphere at Dazzle in the historic Baur’s site was due to the building’s craftsmanship. Now walls in Dazzle at the Arts Complex are adorned with visual artwork produced by local artists. Together, the artists and artwork create a relationship with the music and community. Furthermore, each artist shares a connection with the musician represented in their artwork.
The space showcases murals of famous musicians including opening night entertainer Rene Marie by Jasmine “Jazz” Holmes, resident artists at Denver’s RedLine Contemporary Art Center. Everyone who helped bring Dazzle to life in the Arts complex is an artist in their particular field. They included ArtHouse, who provided the overall design plans, to ADCON fabricator Anthony Jimenez, who built the stage; and Dave Mathews, who did the cabinetry.
Theatre-Music Scene
The DCPA complex where Dazzle is now located is owned and operated by the City & County of Denver’s Arts & Venues. Dazzle’s lease agreement makes it a tenant of the City of Denver. The compound is a mix of Broadway tours, Tony-winning theatre, long-running cabaret shows, immersive plays, and theatre for young adults. The three largest theaters are the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Concert Hall.
Last season the DCPA entertained more than one million visitors, generating a $193.4 million economic impact through ticket sales alone.
“Dazzle is a vibrant addition to the Arts Complex,” says Denver Arts & Venues’ Ginger White, executive director. “The venue looks fantastic. They have been so thoughtful with the design, highlighting the legacy of Jazz in Denver.” Furthermore, she adds, “Dazzle’s location enlivens the entrance to the Arts Complex, a special part of downtown Denver.”
City Collaboration
“Dazzle’s new space was built by artists from many different fields to create a space of community where Jazz, Blues, and other forms of improvised music can thrive for years to come,” explains owner-president Donald Rossa.
El Chapultepec Comeback: Dazzle is partnering with El Chapultepec jazz-blues venue that closed in 2020. The Pec Piano Bar will host “The Late Set” on Thursday-Saturday nights. Photo: CBS
Working with the city-owned arts complex affords us a chance to collaborate with Denver Arts & Venues resources, as well as continuing our role in the Mile High City’s music scene. “Jazz is produced by artists within the community, reflecting the sounds of the time,” Rossa adds. “This is Colorado’s Jazz at the Denver Arts Complex where everyone is invited.”
Finally, he notes that “As a private business that provides so much to the cultural fabric of Denver, we are really grateful to the city for working with us to help us open the space and make it so beautiful.”
Pec Plans Night Caps
Dazzle is also partnering the historic El Chapultepec jazz-blues venue that closed at the end of 2020 after 87 years. When the Pec — where legends like Ela Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra performed — closed it was a gut-wrenching blow to Denver’s music scene. Reopening this fall will give it a second wind.
The El Chapultepec Piano Bar will host “The Late Set” from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday nights. “The partnership will elevate the best that both clubs have to offer,” is how Dazzle’s Donald Rossa depicts the partnership.
Pec owners Angela Guerrero and Anna Diaz have launched the “El Chapultepec Legacy Project,” an effort to preserve the club’s historic heritage while raising money to fund the Dazzle partnership project. Bands and artists will perform live with no cover charge. “It will be a great space to get a night cap after Dazzle shows, Arts complex performances, or other gigs downtown,” suggests Dazzle’s Marketing Director Kelley Dawkins.
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 Valley Gadfly | Jul 20, 2023 | Main Articles
The Valley Comes Alive With Summer Art; Shows Capture Beauty, Colorful Leisure Feeling
by Glen Richardson
Sun Driven Dreams: DAM’s Lowrider show includes this 6 x 17 ft. acrylic by Nanibah Chaco titled What Dreams Are Made Of. Artwork is a silhouette of her ’60 Chevy Bel Air with roses. The flowers, like her dreams, grow beyond the body itself.
Summer Seascape: This Judy Gardner one-of-a-kind creation is in the Niza Knoll Gallery Code Blue exhibition on Santa Fe Dr. Show has artwork of ocean, marine life, and coral reefs.
Splendor Of Summer: This summer beauty by Cheryl St. John is on display at Saks Galleries in Cherry Creek North. The 14 x 18 oil on canvas is titled Lilacs and Spring Flowers.
Summer, with its warm sun, vibrant colors, and lavish nature, radiates a sense of stillness and quiet contemplation, reflecting the slower pace of summer days.
From serene landscapes to joyful depictions of leisure activities, artworks inspired by summer capture the essence of its beauty and evoke feelings of relaxation and joy.
To practice the art of staying cool this month, dive into the rich tapestry of summer-inspired images on display at Saks Galleries and Masters in Cherry Creek North, the Niza Knoll Gallery on Santa Fe Dr., plus at the Denver Art Museum.
Joy & Tranquility
Summer is a time of reflection, connection, and the simple pleasures found in the company of loved ones.
Anna Rose Bain, represented by Saks Galleries in Cherry Creek North, is one such artist. A Signature member of the Oil Painters of America, she is also a member of Plein Air Artists of Colorado and the International Guild of Realism. Her award-winning work transports us to idyllic summer moments and evokes a sense of joy and tranquility. Family owned by Michael and Catherine Saks, the showroom on East 2nd Ave. has been the shopping district’s premier gallery for more than 50 years. Information: 303-333-4144.
Summer art shoppers can also find artwork capturing the essence of summer at Masters Gallery on East 3rd Ave. in Cherry Creek. An AD Gallery — with a longtime presence in Aspen, Beaver Creek, and Vail — you’ll find unique artists, styles, and techniques presented in a relaxed atmosphere. Information: 303-221-2449.
Recipe For The Road: Mexican paintings, lowriders, and nachos are transformed into this Pinata-Inspired Sculpture installation by Justin Favela at the Denver Art Museum.
Catch Art Wave
With warm sand and gentle waves, the ocean has a soothing summertime ambience that nothing can beat. So, allow yourself time to breathe, relax, and enjoy yourself viewing “Code Blue: The Ocean,” at Niza Knoll Gallery on Santa Fe Dr. through Aug. 13.
Ladies Of Sunshine: Anna Rose Bain’s sensational summer flowers painting transports us to idyllic summer moments. Titled Lilies and Ranunculus, the 12 x 15 oil is at Saks Galleries.
The show is a group exhibition by more than a half-dozen artists. Attendees will view artwork portraying the ocean, marine life, and coral reefs. Code Blue is the term communicated during cardiac or respiratory arrest. Signaling immediate and lifesaving care required, it is increasingly a way to describe the state of the world’s oceans and marine life. “The heart and lungs of our planet are in a state of emergency,” experts say.
Located in the Art District on Santa Fe since 2009, Niza Knoll Galley participates in First and Third Friday plus Saturdays. Information: 303-953-1789.
Lowrider Summer
Lowriders are a source of artistic self-expression. The passion and artistry that goes into every car is incredible and, like a painting, are works of art. Moreover, this summer the lowrider car culture has taken the summer spotlight at the Denver Art Museum (DAM).
Like the head-turning rides that cruise the streets, the show running through Sept. 24th, showcases the amazing work of state and southwest lowrider artisans. Included are works by popular area artists Tony Ortega, Carlos Fresquez, Juan Fuentes, and Daniel Salazar. Arranged by the Phoenix Art Museum and curated by the DAM’s Victoria Lyall, the show explores Colorful Colorado and the Desert Southwest’s connections between transportation, landscape, and identity.
The exhibition is inspired by counterculture developments during the 1960s, epitomized in films like Easy Rider, which occurred simultaneously with civil unrest events. During this time, images of customized vehicles racing through the wide-open landscapes of the U.S. Southwest became symbols not only of freedom and liberty, but also rebellion and nonconformity.
Chrome & Color
Colorado and Southwest lowrider artists express identity, pride, and a sense of community by transforming vehicles associated with the American West. Their artwork challenges stereotypes while embodying hope.
Mile High City, Colorado, and Southwest regional artists explore the sociopolitical realities and imaginative interpretations of automotive subcultures through the diverse works on exhibit. The Desert Rider show focuses on Latinx and Indigenous perspectives that have long defined the identity of the Southwest.
A pleasant, festive, and fun event in eye-popping chrome and color, the exhibition ties creativity and customization together with history, place, resistance, discovery, and empowerment. Entry to the DAM is included with general admission, which is free for members and all visitors 18 and under. Information: 720-865-5000.
