David Heitz

Denver

I write Denver news on NewsBreak, the nation's most popular news aggregator. I have lived in a penthouse and also experienced homelessness. Bipolar/LGBT/Journo

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Articles

Where you live in Denver determines lifespan, assessment shows

1 day ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

Someone born in Denver today likely would live to be about 78 years old, according to the city’s Community Health Assessment. But someone living in Globeville would only make it to about 72.8 years old, according to the assessment. A resident of Hilltop, on the other hand, would be expected to live to 85.9 years, 13.1 years longer than the Globeville resident.
Denver to pay $326,500 in police lawsuit payouts next week

1 day ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

The Denver City Council on Monday will consider paying several plaintiffs in a civil lawsuit $326,500 after police allegedly violated their civil rights. The settlements appear on the council agenda. The council will vote on four payouts for Shavonne Blades, Brian Loma, Winston Noles, John Reed, and Elijah Wesbrock. The parties sued the city in U.S. District Court. Three of the checks will go to Baumgartner Law LLC and the other is for Newman McNulty LLC.
Taking pictures in Denver parks requires permit for groups of five or more

2 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

A little-known law in Denver requires people taking pictures in Denver parks with groups of five or more, including crew and subjects, to apply for a photography permit. Mayor Mike Johnston brought up the law during the mayor-City Council meeting Tuesday. He used it as an example of something unneeded in the city that would save the city money. Without the law, there would be no need to have staff to enforce it, and process permits.
Denver committee loans $8 million for affordable housing projects

2 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

Denver10 minutes agoThe Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee of the Denver City Council agreed Wednesday to loan about $8 million to developers for affordable housing. According to a memo from city staff to the committee, the loans will go to:· Beeler Park Flats Owner LLC, $2.1 million for 20 years to help pay for construction of 64 income-restricted units to be leased at affordable rents to qualifying households.
Trump budget: No housing assistance for people with HIV/AIDS, others

3 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

President Trump’s budget proposal effectively eliminates housing assistance for people with HIV and AIDS, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The Alliance’s CEO dissected the president’s budget in a blog post Tuesday. “The president’s budget proposal seeks to collapse the Continuum of Care (CoC) program and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program into the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program,” CEO Ann Oliva wrote.
Denver council sits down with Canadian consul general

3 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

A Denver City Council committee sat down Tuesday with Canadian Consul General Sylvain Fabi and discussed U.S.-Canada relations. Canada maintains consulate offices in a dozen U.S. cities, including Denver. Fabi said during the council’s Finance and Governance Committee that recent rhetoric from the Trump administration has made his job more difficult. Still, he said, he wouldn’t want his work to be boring.
Opinion: After homelessness, living a dream in Denver

4 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

I have written a lot about experiencing homelessness in Denver in 2018 and 2019 followed by stays in jail and mental hospitals in 2020. But despite my rocky start in Denver, I am living a dream. Between my junior and senior years at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. in 1992, I drove out to Los Angeles for a summer fellowship at the now defunct U. The National College Magazine, which was owned in part by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Denver adopts scrap metal rules

4 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

The Denver City Council on Monday adopted new rules for selling scrap metal in the city. Under the new law, junk dealers who buy scrap metal, including copper, bronze, brass, and aluminum, can only purchase it from people who drive up with their bounty. In the past, people were allowed to push scrap metal into the yard in shopping carts. The new law will not apply to aluminum cans or food containers. Also, cash payments will no longer be allowed, according to a memo from city staff to council.
Denver adopts scrap metal rules

4 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

The Denver City Council on Monday adopted new rules for selling scrap metal in the city. Under the new law, junk dealers who buy scrap metal, including copper, bronze, brass, and aluminum, can only purchase it from people who drive up with their bounty. In the past, people were allowed to push scrap metal into the yard in shopping carts. The new law will not apply to aluminum cans or food containers. Also, cash payments will no longer be allowed, according to a memo from city staff to council.
Spending on homelessness is an investment in economic growth, Denver mayor says

5 days ago | newsbreak.com | David Heitz

Spending on services for people experiencing homelessness “absolutely is an investment in the city’s economic growth,” Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said during a press conference last week. After Johnston gave a presentation on the city’s budget, which will need to be cut this year this year due to revenue shortfalls, a member of the press asked him if he had a spending problem. He went on to talk about spending on homelessness and services for migrants. Johnston had a slide ready with the numbers.