DENVER: Homelessness, Crime, Unaffordable Housing - Just How Bad Is It In The Mile High City?

I visited Denver, Colorado. News that the city was suffering from out of control homelessness, exploding crime and housing reaching costs that many can no longer afford had me wondering - what exactly would I find in Colorado's biggest city?
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Travel Vlog 89

[@mamumaumau7205]

I am a Denver native and in my sixty plus years, I have never seen what we are seeing now....Many city sidewalks have become little tent cities but they look like open air garbage dumps.....The people living there are desperate and desperate people do desperate things.......

[@TheTriplelman]

you voted to bring dope in and make it legal thats what you get. = social depravity!

[@mamumaumau7205]

@@TheTriplelman I see Dude, so now you are psychic??? You have proof of my voting record??? Alcohol is far more dangerous that pot.. There is not one verified example of a person dying from a pot over dose.....Your comment is weak and lazy.....

[@twmccoy100]

Downtown Denver used to be a nice, happening place. Now all you see down there is grime, bums, and urban blight. I avoid going downtown at all costs now. There's also an underlying odor of open manholes everywhere you go.

[@TheTriplelman]

@@twmccoy100 I lived in Littleton and Parker- the insurance companies ployed the people to legalize mj, and I moved OUT! Americans just jump into anything without thinking of the consequences....Merry Christmas

[@ttothem2]

Also these tent cities have become open air drug markets. Now even very capable people are begging for money to feed their addiction. If you give a dollar most will get angry and say what you cant give a 10 of a 5. It's insane now days.

[@noahorlowski3328]

I've lived in downtown for years and I love this city, but words cannot describe how much the city doesn't care about any of the people in need here

[@djrom66]

This is how Democrats get more money and funds….by encouraging more homelessness.

[@jackvanbourgondien7349]

People need to work for a living and not expect handouts, for some reason people think government should do everything. Please!!!

[@tb5124]

@@jackvanbourgondien7349 you’ve never heard of ppl who have jobs but are just priced out due to fast increasing costs?

[@tb5124]

@@djrom66 what is the Republican solution? Throw them in jail?

[@jacobunderwood4957]

Most welfare recipients use it for a short period (less than 1 year) to get back on their feet. Welfare has many barriers to fraud and abuse, highly-focused deep-dive studies have consistently revealed a very small amount of successful welfare fraud. A small, temporary bit of aid has been proven to help people stabilize and regain their status as productive, contributing members of society more efficiently than "everybody's got bootstraps, use them". Our country is literally stronger and more productive with such safety nets. You conservatives, aching for yesteryear when robber barons decided everyone's fate, are a solid 100 years late to the party. Your ideology was wrong and it died, let it go. We help each other out around here and we aren't going to stop.

[@billyoung8118]

So many times in this video you were only 1 or 2 blocks away from major homeless tent cities. I have a relative that is homeless from drug abuse (didn't see that person in your video). That person is nearly 50, and has been using significant amounts of drugs since they were a teenager. I supported that person in my house for a decade before getting tired of the non-stop drug abuse. No more. I don't know the answer. But what is happening now is not the answer.

[@dawson0610]

Yup he did not go where they really are. Denver sucks and super dirty.

[@catherinemartinez5542]

You can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. After a while it's just enabling. We tried to help a friend of ours out, but went back to drugs. We have kids so he had to go. Took a yr or 2 but he finally turned it around. Moved with family who actually cared, found a girl, got married and has a 1 yr old daughter now. We couldn't be prouder of him!

[@Shalin333]

Literally a lot of these spots he just needed to turn to look down a side street while staying on the main streets he was on n he woulda seen a line of tents.

[@janetredshaw7217]

Park Ave. And/or 23rd

[@Theywaswrong]

My son was into drugs for about ten years after high school. Finally got off, just stopped. I don't know but I always thought that some people knew they were killing themselves, but it's just who they are and it's the life they've come to accept....it's just what it is and at 50, maybe they figure why change now.

[@michaeltaylor5593]

I live in Denver and this guy was just skirting tge areas where the homeless are in droves. I mean tent cities and card board boxes everywhere. Denver's homeless population is very bad and really sad that it has come to this. Portland is a little worse than Denver but not much as of late.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

When I visited Portland a couple months ago I saw huge, multi-tent homeless encampments on EVERY STREET in downtown. EVERY SINGLE STREET. All government buildings and many stores and restaurants are behind huge concrete and steel barricades. The downtown Apple Store looked like it could withstand a missile with the 20 foot high barrier surrounding it. Defacement in Portland is everywhere, on virtually every building and on every historical statue. That beautiful downtown clock tower in Denver? In Portland it would have foul language painted all around it, in addition to urine stains and used needles scattered all around the base. A significant percent of the buildings in downtown Portland have plywood covering the windows, all of which are painted over with foul worded graffiti. I roamed around much of downtown Denver, didn't see a single tent, virtually no defacement and no open, operating businesses behind concrete barricades. Did I see every square inch of downtown? No, and commenters are telling me that I missed the areas where there are more homeless. But it isn't everywhere downtown, like it is in Portland. All of downtown Portland looks like an actual war-zone - Denver's does not.

[@grandroofing1604]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip What they have in common is that they are both Sanctuary cities ran by Democrats. I am 1-1/2 hours away from Denver. I wont go without my 45. It would be hard to beat Portland, LA, Or San Francisco. Denver is on its way to being the same, as people flee California and come here.

[@brentrider1607]

I live in denver and the homeless are everywhere

[@grandroofing1604]

@@brentrider1607 Thank you for your honesty. Its also becoming lawless, you have better chance being illegal in Colorado, than being a straight white male. The police and immigration has been told to stand down. Now the average house purchase is 1,000,000.00 in Denver. I live in mountains off I70. I carry when I travel to Denver. Polis is a horrible Governor. Dominion Voting Machines are located in Denver also. Colorado unfortunately is the next California if we don’t fix it.

[@catherinemartinez5542]

@@grandroofing1604 I was born in Aurora but raised 20 minutes from Denver. I haven't been downtown since I was 19...21 yrs ago. It's gone down hill since.

[@comcham1]

I was born in Denver and raised in Aurora. It was a great, safe suburb. What has happened is that the city has become so expensive that the less affluent people have had to move to Aurora. What used to be a quaint, middle to upper middle class suburb has turned into a slum. I left in the early 80's and moved to Missouri. When we went back to Denver for a high school reunion, my wife was stunned at the trash and the huge number of homeless people. I never thought I would see the day where the midwest would be so much more desirable than my beloved hometown. But I have to admit I like the safety and cleanliness of the suburb I live in now. It is truly sad what has happened to the Queen City of the Rockies.

[@BluStarGalaxy]

I lived in Colorado for 7 years. Snow, sinus issues, and high depression rates. Constant feeling of dread in that place.

[@twmccoy100]

Agree. I'm ready to bail. The weather here sucks, and it wears you down after a while.

[@michaelashcraft8569]

Seeing as how Developers, Investors, Lawyers, Foreign entities, Holding Companies, Speculators etc have been gulping up Apartment Complexes as well as on-market Homes by the millions hope is lost by the poor, fixed income Seniors, unemployed, and, minimum wage earners, things are going to get FAR WORSE here in the land of milk and honey, bet on THAT!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You’re absolutely correct.

[@really5453]

That's a scarcity mindset so no thanks

[@moa3008]

I agree with you but why is President Biden allowing millions of impoverished illegal aliens who are most likely illiterate with reading English; and can’t speak English?

[@samc5794]

@@really5453 really?

[@lynettedundon1410]

Yup.the gulf between rich and homeless is widening. So sad. This country doesn't care enough. These are people, not numbers.

[@mlb6d9]

I've lived in the area since '89, and I'm glad I got my oats sewn in the mid to late 90's. Downtown was booming with lots of fun bars/places to go, Coors field had just opened up - lots of fun stuff to do and a vibrant music scene. Now you couldn't pay me to ride the light rail downtown. Too many shady characters nowadays.

[@irishman3375]

agreed, I was down there then, it was fun, clean, exciting, the bars were hoping, the good old days. Remember a girl named Rita, a party girl, always at the bars, fun times with her, crazy times

[@MolyMo-tt4yi]

Yeah it’s really true and sad. Our state has changed. Some good with increase in fun events. But so much crime. It’s gone up even near where we live. It’s kinda scary

[@mlb6d9]

@@irishman3375 I used to think the coolest thing ever was to own a condo downtown. Now I feel sorry for anyone who does....

[@lynellephillips3889]

I had just moved here when DIA and Coors Field opened. It was truly a wonderful magical city that I felt safe in. I truly miss those fun days downtown when 16th Street Mall didn't have peddlers, drug addicts, and homeless sleeping on the sidewalks. I won't go anywhere near downtown without a group of friends surrounding me for safety in numbers, but alas they don't want to go downtown either... except during Denver Comic Con, and it's way too crowded on 16th during that time...

[@leob4403]

​@@irishman3375is that a Faces stay with me reference?

[@loriwhalen2321]

Denver native here. what's happening here in Denver is a nightmare! Growing up here was so different than now. The areas that you walked through are pretty guarded against the homeless because businesses wouldn't do well with the homeless camps too close. The homeless camps are being pushed around in the less popular areas, and many parks! As a native, I'm afraid I won't be able to afford to grow old here in Denver. It's very hard now. Too many people!!!

[@stacisstrings9784]

"People from Denver who may be watching this, this is not bad, like most major cities... you are not Portland" Nope - your video is taking a small sampling of Denver, just the most touristy, most patrolled, most high rent areas of downtown and the central business district. You can find tent cities as you wander down side roads, near the Platte River, in alleyways and vacant lots. There are places where you can find dozens to hundreds of camper vans, pop-up campers, and tents lined up along streets. Wander into the Denver proper neighborhoods, and alleyways and you'll get a real idea of what people talk about on Reddit. You're seeing the shiny, best side, that Denver wants to be perceived as...

[@sariahhill9953]

Thank you!

[@tomspettigue8791]

it's bad. it wasn't like this even four years ago. these are our community members, and we are failing them.

[@whytfdoesnooneloveme]

@@tankshots3452 you're ignorant. denver is top 60.

[@whytfdoesnooneloveme]

@@silvrx-pz3ce SLC? you're outta your damn mind. i do agree that they both have pretty bad homelessness though

[@enigmathegrayman2953]

I work for RTD and I assure you he’s right, this video didn’t touch what’s really here.

[@jeanaejoneshomeavonplanning]

Raised in Denver and still live here. The reason you see few homeless on the streets of downtown Denver is because the mayor made it illegal to be homeless downtown. I saw your Portland video, and we're looking like them, outside of downtown Denver. Go a little bit north or a little bit south of downtown Denver. Or all over southeast Denver. Gentrification is the name of the game in Denver, unfortunately.

[@Madison-bj7zp]

You mean the game for every place

[@jeanaejoneshomeavonplanning]

@@Madison-bj7zp No. I meant for Denver.

[@kpre9874]

There's nothing worse than a liar outside of one's that spread lies. Homelessness is absolutely horrible in Colorado and to show areas that the Homelessness is not visible is deceptive of the highest level.

[@sethtenrec]

There’s many areas with no homeless people in Denver and all of Colorado.

[@nohlanfisherman5185]

Heck, I am seeing homeless people in their cars and my boss who owns 3 companies says he is probably going to go homeless because cost of living is basically the same as California. Something does not sound right when people are saying that homelessness is not bad in Colorado. Heck, if cost of living is basically the same in the mountains as in southern California, then people are lying saying that cost of living is not as bad as California if you exclude taxing. So what's going on when people are not telling the truth about Colorado?

[@EsotericRavenclaw]

I moved back to Denver at the beginning of the pandemic from Missouri. Needed a change during lockdown. It's been two years, I've saved for a downpayment on a home and even the most affordable condo I can afford ($350,000) still has HOA dues reaching $1,000 a month. I'm leaving in October when my lease is up for a place with more affordable housing.

[@tb5124]

Same. Just waiting til my lease is up in September. There’s lots of Midwestern cities that have just as much if not more to offer (except maybe legal weed lol) but with much cheaper housing. Unless you live for the mountains it really isn’t worth it. And I’ve lived in an east coast city of about the same size and I feel like the homeless are more aggressive and obviously on drugs here and the garbage everywhere ugh.

[@EsotericRavenclaw]

@@tb5124 I’m considering going back to Kansas City since that’s my home town, and I can actually AFFORD a mortgage. I’ll be closer to family, and since I have a med card I can still get flower in MO. Idk if that’s is the overall gameplan but I’m 100% positive that Denver isn’t a good fit for my long term financial growth. How can I stay in Denver, afford housing, and magically save for a retirement?! I love Colorado, but I’m in a place where I’m needing housing that doesn’t go up 5-30% every year. I’m already paying $1,200 for a freaking studio. 😤

[@1suoiraciv954]

Don't forget to turn the lights off when you all split*-)

[@tb5124]

@@1suoiraciv954 idk what lights gonna do when the front range is covered in smoke but okay

[@zillionzulu]

you should never ever buy a house with that HOA attached

[@margaretames6522]

You’re in the expensive parts of downtown - not where you’re going to find a lot of homeless people. The businesses make sure it’s safe. The park across from the Capitol was recently cleared out of homeless people - it was a hotbed of drugs and crime. The parking prices are staggering and good luck finding a parking space during the week. Lots of shootings in LoDo near the baseball stadium - gang activity. Colfax was a major thoroughfare before I-70 was built. Parts of Colfax Avenue (not street) have improved but don’t get out unless you are buying drugs. You missed the whole LoDo (lower downtown) and other newly gentrified areas.

[@dougpatasky8426]

Homeless are all over all parts cities ,lived here 20 yrs ,just keeps getting worse and worse

[@Sar-ahG]

The light rail and bus systems are getting scary -- have you been to union station that's in the heart of Denver?

[@margaretames6522]

@@Sar-ahG Not last year when I lived there. I stopped going downtown. I worked downtown for years.

[@bobbybobberton6373]

@@Sar-ahG if you think that's scary you have literally had the safest, most sheltered life possible. unsurprisng tho

[@Sar-ahG]

@@margaretames6522 you can't even go underneath through the terminal anymore-- there are literally so many people actively doing drugs blocking the stairways. The cops can't do anything except revive people it seems.

[@TheLaurahar]

I was pepper sprayed by a lunatic on the 16th Street mall a few weeks ago on a Friday afternoon. So scary down there now.

[@denniswoods3909]

My son who lives in a suburb of Denver says there is no way in the world he would go downtown at night, especially in the LoDo area. Crime and drugs abound.

[@TOCC50]

It’s all John Elway’s fault

[@-SidneyPrescott]

you can do it just be in a car or on a bike do not be on foot. that would be a bad idea.

[@HikeColorado]

I’m in downtown Denver and the 16th Street Mall quite often checking on job sites and an occasional concert at the Paramount Theater and and I see lots of homeless people with mental illness, major drug abuse and alcoholism. The city in my opinion doesn’t do much of anything to address it. They let them walk around drugged out of their minds high as a kite and the residents just go on about their business and mostly ignore them like they don’t exist. Really sad. Society has become callous to them because there’s so many of them that they’re everywhere. It’s absolutely pathetic 😞

[@jwelda1]

The locals are right to ignore them, they’re only around because dumb tourists give them money and leave and don’t have to deal with the problem they’re reinforcing

[@Steveleanr]

It's pathetic that these people keep doing this to themselves........ it's a choice to be drug addict, it's a choice to spend your money on drugs.. it's also a choice to be a fkn adult and work hard to be a better person....... I've lost compassion for these types of people......they don't want the help and they certainly don't want to take any responsibility, but they will continue to take the public assistance they get that people who actually work for a living have to pay to these fk sticks........

[@sebastian3004]

They should throw them into mental institutions. Oh yeah human rights hahahaha

[@darrenchilds8980]

@@Steveleanr work hard I’m sure you be homeless in Denver unless you making 100k.. a year

[@jeffneptune2922]

@@Steveleanr Many of those people have mental illness and that's not a choice. Once addicted , medical intervention is needed early in the process to be effective. Far to few resources for this group of people. As for the housing costs, Denver is insane relative to the wages. Even old small homes in high crime neighborhoods fetch 400K and a decent two bedroom rent is about $1800. That is too much for a teacher making 55K much less a blue collar Home Depot worker making 30K.

[@davidatwork]

I was in Portland just three weeks ago, I will admit that Denver is no Portland. I live in Denver and I can tell you the homeless problem and drug problems are growing fast. You missed the major areas. Try Denver Union Station in the evening for one.

[@t4t3r_t0tz5]

or 5 points

[@LuciferMornStar]

They have cleaned Union station up! Denver does a great job compared to other cities!

[@GreysonParker]

@@LuciferMornStar When you say cleaned up do you mean they got people off the streets or they just pushed them somewhere less well traveled?

[@tb5124]

@@LuciferMornStar compared to other western cities anyway. The west is gross lol.

[@tylersmidt3641]

@@LuciferMornStar no they have not homeless people sleep in the stairwells and you’ll be harassed for money/food every time

[@suzanneterrey4499]

I lived there in the late 50's and it was beautiful. Clear skies, lots of energy! Went back 7 yrs. ago and I was stunned! Smoggy, homeless everywhere, and omg, the beggars!!! I never want to go back.

[@TOCC50]

Chris Drury won a Stanley Cup there

[@cynthiaquinlan364]

I used to be safe walking all around downtown - no more. You missed all the tent cities along 225 at Iliff and Parker, at Mississippi at Alameda. They are on the outskirts of Denver and in Aurora, but it's ridiculous. Denver used to be absolutely gorgeous, but the legalization of pot really helped to destroy the city.

[@cynthiaquinlan364]

@Matthew Andrychuk oh, the new store went in, but the on and off ramps have tent cities growing along them, and it's a lack of willingness on the part of the government to do anything about it. so, they stay there...sad.

[@michellem7300]

@@cynthiaquinlan364 the homeless are there because of all the homeless sweeps in the downtown area. The police went through there and threw away all their tents and personal items and scared them away and drove them further away from services, so it just makes it harder for them to survive. The police hope that if the homeless can't be seen then homelessness isn't a problem lol

[@cynthiaquinlan364]

@@michellem7300 I'm not saying I don't feel badly for them. I don't like how the government has handled ANY of this. Why are they homeless? Did they migrate here? Are they legally here? Did they lose their job? Are they trying to get somewhere else? How can a situation, such as this, be resolved if the causes are not addressed...

[@michellem7300]

@@cynthiaquinlan364 I think homeless people cone here from other parts of the country and don't want to leave too because of our climate here. Yes it gets hot but at night it cools down so its not too hard to sleep outside in the summer time. Our winters are cold too but we don't get alot of snow and freezing temperatures as bad as some states either. I don't agree how the government has been handling the homeless issue just as you said. Someone recorded the police doing the sweeps and supposedly it costs thousands of dollars. Why couldn't the government put that money towards other services for them? Some people were gone not too far away from their spot just trying to get some food to eat when the police started their sweeps and they lost everything, their tents , their paperwork and other personal items. I'm not saying it was right for then to camp there but I just don't see how any of those sweeps made any improvements to the homeless people's lives, if anything it just made their lives worse!

[@cynthiaquinlan364]

@@michellem7300 Do you think that mental health care would be helpful, then? I'm asking an honest question; should they be "housed?" in a way that they wouldn't leave because it's a "service" provided to them without charge? If that was the case, would you support a "work in exchange for living conditions" type of arrangement - cleaning up highways, sidewalks, streets - stuff that clearly needs to be done? I'm interested to know what other people think solutions might be; just shoving them from place to place clearly does nothing but piss everyone off - the homeless included. There must be other solutions, but what are they? I cannot help but wonder if "drugs' were ILLEGAL, would this have happened at all.....just wondering

[@davidbauer1485]

Denver has been gentrifiing for years and the pace is increasing as young professionals flee the coasts and Midwest. The old hoods are being scrapped. The scariest thing in the hood are the luxury SUVs full of developers cruising around looking for developable lots. Boom growth is getting ahead of infrastructure. Still a paradise when compared to other similarly sized cities. Just spoke with a young woman (30) who just moved downtown from NYC. She thinks Denver is fairly quaint and still a bargain, with just enough urban grit to be cool. As a Colorado native of 56 years I find it horrifying. The Front Range is well on its way to a megalopolis. This good ole boy will have to retire and head for the hills or to Wonderful Wyoming!

[@sandyh5873]

The problem with the "gentrifing" concern is that the suburbs are turning into Latin American ghettos with high crime, no English spoken and trash thrown everywhere. The crime rate is rising to the point they one needs to be armed to walk your dog which is the new Denver.

[@5DNRG]

Absolutely see this too...lived here since 77 and very sad. Another more beautiful place calls me away, tropical for sure. Denver's beautiful energy is gone, taken over by very low vibration entities.

[@gabrielort3531]

@@5DNRG Tropical?? Are you leaving the U.S.???

[@bobbybobberton6373]

Don’t let the door to the afterlife hit you on the way out boomer

[@carolyndamico2924]

I grew up in Denver. Live in Florida now. But it is so sad, to me. The Denver I knew is gone. The developers,not only in Denver. But also the front range , is being ruined. Too many people moving there. Being ruined. Another LA… sad to say.

[@twmccoy100]

I live just south of Denver (Littleton). Homelessness has always kinda been a thing in Denver, but lately its spread to the suburbs. You don't have to look hard to find little tent cities in what used to be pristine parks or other open space. Denver itself has become borderline inhospitable. Graffiti and trash everywhere you look. People literally pull to the sides of roads and empty their pickup truck beds of trash right into the gutter. Real estate prices are absolutely out of control. In Denver (and surrounding areas) you're getting literally NO value for your buck. CO is a very overrated place to live in. The weather sucks most of the time, and the whole Denver metro area has a forlorn, dirty look about it. Oh, and the roads are TERRIBLE. I'm glad someone finally did a vid like this profiling Denver.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. Growing up in Salt Lake City in the 80's. I would occasionally drive to Denver for big concerts, etc, and it was a great town. Kind of a bummer to see what's happening now.

[@hellsbellez]

Let's be real. The time you are both longing for, well, ummm, HUD had projects across America to provide actual affordable housing. HUD closed projects in the 90's, sold off those lands (right here in Denver, the downtown area lost 2 government housing projects. Built mixed use on the former apartment sites, condos & townhomes built and sold as investment property over and over, prices working class and the poor out of neighborhoods they've traditionally always been in. Closing of mental health hospitals, now we use jails to warehouse people with severe mental health needs. It's a mess all around. Lord help the children who will inherit these messes created by wealth driven periods of time.

[@jumboshrimp5193]

I live in Denver and yes homelessness has gotten much worse but it is definitely not even close to Portland San Francisco or Seattle but the rents are pretty much as expensive. This country looks like shit.

[@jasonwalter2924]

There are three locations (I think) for Sam's No. 3. It was started by a Greek immigrant via New Mexico. The green chille actually has gyro meat and it is really tasty, but pretty mild. Always packed for breakfast. Anyway, as a Denver native of 47 years I can tell you that you saw just what the Chamber of Commerce wants you to see; art, culture, and history. What you missed were the really bad areas, and many of our suburban areas just outside the downtown area are really bad now. Denver has been growing steadily for decades really bit the bast several years have completely transformed the quality of life in this state. Jobs pay less, property and rentals are through the roof. I never had any desire to live anywhere else until a few years ago, and now I don't really have a choice if I want a better future for my family. We will be heading out of state after my son finishes high school and I have my degree. We simply cannot afford the 700k price tag on an average home. Oh, and just a side note, yeah cannabis is legal but walking around in public smoking it is not, just like alcohol.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. Thank you for the insightful comment.

[@cmc5394oparva]

The main problem was that the Front Range got WAY too many people, WAY too fast starting around 2007-2010 (or thereabouts). It was growing before then, obviously, but not at the scale that it did before that demarcation point. The pandemic just exacerbated the issue because a lot of these people then fled to the mountains, and jacked up the cost of living THERE, too. The people who moved to the area seem to do nothing but wallow in their own neuroticism and social maladaptation, and good luck getting though traffic at any time other than the dead of night. I lived in the Denver metro most of my life, but awesome scenery only goes so far when the overall quality of life and cost of living is in the dump. I wouldn't move back there now even if I won Powerball.

[@cynthiaquinlan364]

EXACTLY.

[@cypher249]

I was born ,grew up and lived in Denver for many years before and after the military. I live north now for a good reason. Nothing but the body politic in Co can be blamed. We are on the highway to Detroit as is... A huge population, poor and middle class have been destroyed. We plan on leaving when our kids are grown.

[@anthonyn1157]

I’m saving up to move out of here, it’s only getting worse from here 😕

[@jenna-a-gogo]

First of all, I wanna say that I watch all your videos and LOVE them! But just to let you know, as a former Denverite, there IS a huge homeless problem and you missed it by about 4 blocks (north of 16th street mall).

[@neodragon5159]

I've been in Colorado for 20 years, I just suffered homelessness for six. I finally got a place to live a month ago. you literally did not go down any of the streets where any of the people are camped. you went to money areas of the city, Connors, where businesses make sure that they can function without their customers slaloming through tents. there are tents everywhere, from most of your shots s block away. you just didn't go down the streets that they are set up. on top of that it seemed to be very early in the morning so there wasn't a lot of people out most homeless people, hell most people who aren't tourists don't start galavanting around the city until late afternoon. the fact that you kept saying they're homelessness is not bad...I disagree it is bad it is very bad. actually it's traumatizing to be honest with you. but that's why I voted against recreational marijuana homelessness was one of the very reasons why I didn't think we should've legalized marijuana. I had my medical card at the time, I had it for 10 years. in my opinion recreationalizing it wasn't necessary, as easy as it is to get a medical card for whatever your ailment is really controlled who lived here. and it's so strange to say. anyway yeah I voted against it I took my cues from an episode of South Park. many of the people that you passed as you walked around, were homeless as well. you just didn't know because you don't know who they are. obviously you pointed out the ones that looked like they're homeless or high, but you did walk past several people that are homeless and they sorta fit in like everybody else, like me. all the years I suffered homelessness, you have never known it looking at me or having a conversation with me. I was homeless for 6 years until a month ago. in fact that hotel that you were standing in front of that is next to the la Boheme gentlemen's club, that is actually a homeless hotel it was converted to house homeless people. also many homeless people have been camping in two "safe outdoor spaces" just on the outskirts of either side of town. if you don't know what a safe outdoor space is, look it up. take it with a grain of salt do not believe everything that you're hear or that is portrayed in the videos because many things that they say they offer such as resources and things like that, don't actually happen, in fact the food that they say is given once a day at least sometimes isn't. I know this because I lived in one of them for 7 months. in that alleyway the first one that you went down that was 'closed' that neon sign said "yours" then it says "ours", "yours", "ours" perpetually. and it means what you think it means, whatever you think it means. it's yours it's ours it's ours it's yours. not just the alleyway. Sam's diner is a very famous breakfast spot I think it closes about 2:00 p.m. most tourists go there is definitely a tourist breakfast spot locals go other places. as for your drive down Colfax, it is not the way it used to be. those hotels are not hooker hotels any longer you can't rent them for an hour any longer go back in the day you could you're not going to see the prostitutes walking up and down the street the way you used to also because most of them utilize the internet to get their clients. though at night you might see one or two. actually those hotels have many rooms that are specifically for bridging the homeless from the street to finding a place to live, they mostly house the homeless people that have vouchers for being housed and it just gives them a spot to search for housing from. those hotels are very dumpy. definitely in need of renovation or demolition however you want to look at. it's really silly that you portrayed Denver to be an all right City it's really not and people need to stop moving here cuz there's no going back already, and theyve ruined the state. I used to love it here. I can't say that anymore.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Well, what can I say. The city seemed pretty nice the three days I was there. And for the record, I don't go looking for homeless. I go to downtowns to see the architecture, historical places, the street artwork, and if I run across homeless, I comment on it. But I'm not there to go out searching for homeless specifically. I'm really surprised at the reaction to the video. Most of the comments are people tearing down the city. I did not expect that.

[@mnetzer6777]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I really liked your video of Denver as I have lived here all of my life, but yes, you can't see it all in 3 days. I've never been to Portland but there is a huge homeless problem here. It cracked me up that you barely went into Aurora and immediately turned around. Lol. I can't say I blame you, that is where a lot of the problems are. Everyone commenting on the price of housing and rent, are right on the money. It's completely out of control for the middle class to try and keep up. California number 2. It's ridiculous. But I did really enjoy your video of my home city, and Ill watch out for more of your videos!

[@sariahhill9953]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip i dont think they are tearing down your video. They are simply telling you what they have experienced as someone who has been homeless before and lived in denver /CO for years. If you are going to make a video about the homeless people in Denver, people are going to talk about that. The comments are not trying to tear down your video, but rather tell you that is a problem, in which you continued to say it was not in the video just from what you percieved. I hope you understand that.

[@sondrareyes900]

Really makes me laugh when the people who comment that aren't from Denver,that don't know about homeless ness and that have never had a conversation with any real Denver natives and in this video don't show Aurora,West side,East side,North side or South side of Denver.Comments about feeling scared riding public transportation but yet want to live here after Denver was sparklized for all the transplants to just bad mouth Denver where some of us are from so if this city doesn't suit you anymore there are other places to go......

[@leroygardner2034]

@ Neo dragon. My heart was warmed by your story. Good for NEVER settling!! I had no idea Denver had a homeless problem like this. I have two grandchildren living there with their father in Aurora I believe. One question though. In my city they gave away so much food daily until yesterday the sanitation dept complain about so many food boxes they have to collect. Medically you get some much extra pills until people sell them for profit. What about the mayor social services agency doing in providing community services to the homeless community? Let me know how you doing. Keep gaining in faith and determination!!

[@alostbard]

Driving through Pueblo without stopping was a very smart decision. That town is now completely under control of gangs, including the police force.

[@bjornrockettansky3077]

Yep. Its really sad. If youre driving south i25 DO NOT STOP IN PUEBLO. its believed the cartel owns the police out there. Rumours of course but, meet a few of those cops and youll see hahaha 😆

[@bingo8789]

😄

[@kevinwinters5426]

I’ve lived in Colorado 43 years, the last 3 in Pueblo, I am not a fan of Pueblo but I have not seen ANY of what you’re talking about & I am not exactly a homebody.

[@DMoney27AllDay]

it’s not that bad

[@joshm1389]

lol I lived in Pueblo from 2016-2021, you’re definitely exaggerating.

[@maryholloway5487]

Thank you for all the facts on things around Denver. I live in Fort Collins and didn’t know many of these things.

[@Objectivish]

I'm born and raised in Denver (5 generations in fact) and it drives me crazy that so many locals have this narrative of "People are flocking here from everywhere else and ruining our city." It's frustrating because the Denver Metro is actually close to an all time low for population growth. Beyond that, so many people are opposed to new housing being built because "It'll gentrify the neighborhood" when Denver's lack of housing is actually causing the problem (adding severely to the rise in homeless population as well). Denver has one of the lowest home vacancy rates in the country, and even amongst "luxury" housing the vacancy rate is incredibly low. As far as the homeless population is concerned, the city is finally starting to invest in some measures to actually address the issue instead of just trying to kick them out. There is still a long way to go though.

[@sondrareyes900]

This is exactly what people don't understand when they not from Denver......

[@adrianmiramontesphotograph3022]

Been here all my life to and can't stand the NIMBY attitude of many

[@donhgr]

Im 5th gen also and it’s a poop hole and the homeless people are nothing more than drug addicts .

[@anthonyrenaud5783]

I never go into the city. Denver has turned to shit ever since Marijuana was legalized!!!

[@bigo1015]

Denver has started removing them out of the city and into small towns near by pushing them out . About 2 years now

[@0rvelazqu]

Denver native here and as at bad as it sounds, I get a warm pleasant feeling when people who transfer here have to move back home because they didn't "make it."

[@sgeorge3167]

You should see the homeless camps on the bike paths along the Platte river and clear creek bike paths a few blocks from there...

[@joyceleadbetter2600]

60 years ago Colorado was heaven. 1.7m, open space, low crime, no regs, freedom.

[@waterheaterservices]

Cuba was really nice too before The Party

[@kyleb9150]

when teh GOP was in control...

[@joyceleadbetter2600]

@@kyleb9150 Governor Love

[@leob4403]

What you mean that capitalists, politicians and corporations have no long term plan for building a harmonic, healthy and functional society, I am shocked!

[@kristinebailey6554]

Saying "This is no Portland" is just plain foolish, I used to shop in Portland every weekend and I can tell you Portland is not Portland anymore either. It has been destroyed.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Good point.

[@waterheaterservices]

The Party has utterly trashed Portland

[@3peckeredgoat735]

I live here and it's super bad, it really ramped up with leagle weed, I know I saw. My wife and I are by no means broke and it's still a struggle. No homeless people are going to become housed in this ridiculous economy. Unfortunately this is a liberal city, but at least we haven't reached Portland level yet.

[@kenny49494949]

For the record I grew up in Aurora and it's an amazing place. Yes some parts are rougher than others but in general it is beautiful, diverse, and a great place to live.

[@lucyherrera8494]

Thank you for posting these videos.

[@theteacher6313]

Native, born and raised. Fair assessment so far, I only watched about half of it. I agree we exploded when marijuana was legalized and the government couldn't keep up. The authorities tend to move homeless encampments from place to place. So, what you see in the video is the normal for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, the new/recent homeless encampments are growing but I guess the video didn't capture them. 100% caused by rising home costs that are outpacing wages. Not as bad as California yet, but getting there quickly. About 12 years ago I rented a crappy studio apartment in Capitol Hill for $525.00/mo. Same place goes for about $1,100.00/mo. now. It is still a crappy studio. The jump in the last 3 years has been astronomical. 1200 sq ft home when we bought it was $300k, built in 1972 and needed a lot of work. It is now worth $500k. In 3 years went up by 40%. A lot of people are starting to move to Texas (not Austin), Wyoming and Idaho because those tend to be cheaper. Idaho seems to be the new hotspot for Denverites who have been priced out of buying a home. I blame the Californians coming here. Way too many, they need to go back home.

[@no-bitches]

Man, I feel like now that I'm in my 20's, all the places to visit are just going down the toilet. It really sucks seeing so many homeless folks. LA, Portland, NOLA, and Denver are some of my top places and you just feel terrible knowing how different it is compared to even 10 years ago.

[@kristinebailey6554]

Even next door in Aurora our homes are in the 500,000.00 plus range. And having moved here from out of state I can tell you my 580,000.00 house wouldn't bring 350,000.00 in Michigan, Texas or even Oregon. Been here two years and getting the hell out in a few years when we retire. Homeless, panhandlers, random bullets flying through the walls of homes in 500,000.00 neighborhoods, catalytic converters being stolen etc etc etc. Both Aurora and Denver coddle illegals too so expect it to get MUCH worse, very fast with that open southern border.

[@de5163]

What about the illegals what are they doing? Selling flowers and fruit in the street? Taking jobs that most whytes would not dare to work in? What’s much worse illegal immigrants looking for work? Or domestic homeless people looking for drugs and a hand out?

[@de5163]

I was agreeing with your post till it started getting dumbed down with terms such as “illegals” “Open southern border” “MUCH worse”

[@davidwatson5215]

Totally agree, colorado springs is just as bad, homeless every where. Illegals every where. FJB and his administration

[@kentd4762]

Drove into downtown Denver a week ago, and there are places where you'll find blocks of tents/homeless lining the road. The "clock tower" you mentioned is the Daniels & Fisher Tower, which has quite a history. Correct: parts of Aurora have always had a ghetto-ish reputation--even going back to the 1970s. Born and raised in the Denver Metro area. My parents bought their ample suburban home in 1960 for $17K. We sold it for $252K ten years ago (and couldn't believe it), but now would go for ~$450K.

[@SunnyJohn45]

The $17K your parents paid for the house in 1960 is $132K in 2012 dollars. That's a $120K "profit" from the $252K it sold for after 52 years. That's about $2300/year. I'll bet they paid more for interest and upkeep than that over that period.

[@bobe3250]

Thanks for the video! I miss Colorado at times.

[@davehopping7212]

If you're very wealthy and very left-wing, you'll probably enjoy Denver a great deal. Provided,of course, that you buy a home in the most exclusive parts of Boulder and never go within Denver city limits after dark.

[@waterheaterservices]

The upper crust of The Party has always been the protected class

[@kcjay4303]

I am middle class and walk the streets of Denver all the time. I bought my tiny duplex years ago. I even walk after dark. Like any bigger city, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Also, I don't know any bigger city that doesn't lean left and have resource and housing problems these days. To each is own. I like eat food from different parts of the world and have most everything I need within a 10min walking distance. Btw, I love to visit small and rural parts of the country.

[@davehopping7212]

@@kcjay4303 There's always someone who through a combination of chance and good luck makes a generally untenable situation work out fine. KC is that guy. Might even be a couple more. Congratulations!

[@carterbentonjr399]

It may not be as bad as Portland but this should not have happened in the first place.

[@user-rq6mq6ki2h]

I still remember those painted pianos on the 16th street...it's been quite a while since I graduated, and I miss this place.

[@user-rq6mq6ki2h]

If you take the light rail at night you may see a lot of homeless person hang around the city, the metro system was like free ride back then.

[@antoniobrigante410]

Great Video 👍🏼 thanks for posting this

[@ShirleySerious]

It's sad how expensive Denver has become. It's not sustainable and when the bubble pops, it'll crash hard. Too bad because I had a lot of fun there. I guess we'll see what happens in the coming decade. Any plans to visit Wyoming? I know Cheyenne is only a couple hours away. Very small capital city. Friendly people though.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We spent the day today in Cheyenne. Beautiful little city, lots of charm, amazing downtown!

[@margaretames6522]

Very windy!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@margaretames6522 That’s for sure. Casper as well. Windiest places I’ve ever been to!

[@moa3008]

I use to live in Douglas; it’s between Cheyenne; and Casper off of I-25 about 125 miles from Cheyenne; and 62 miles from Casper that was in 1979/80 for about nine months and a few times for shorter periods after that.

[@iamatlantis1]

People that moved here to "have fun" 8-10 years ago are a big part of the problem.

[@MarkTarachand]

You came after the city cleaned up. You were too short in town to see the details. You got just a glance by the 1 topless guy who was under influence and the 1 guy on California St at the light rail station. If you would have walked more away from 16th Street Mall you would have experienced more homelessness. You were in an area where the city decided to take more care. Homeless people are starting to spread. They get removed from areas which are seen and taken care of to areas where they can stay. You'll find a lot of rusty old RVs parked everywhere and some of them wouldn't be able to drive anymore due to totally decayed rims. I was an eyewitness of the city workers removing a large tent near Interstate 25 the other day. The guy was sitting there with his 8 shopping carts full of his belongings. Shopping carts is another thing: There is a SAFEWAY Supermarket downtown on Park Avenue where you cannot find a shopping cart. No baskets, no carts. You have to carry your groceries by hand because all taken by homeless. Again, when you walk through the city for an hour only on the main streets the city is trying to keep it presentable for tourists. If you lived here the last 10 years you'll see the difference 10 years ago and now.

[@sariahhill9953]

Thank you! I've def been to that safeway a few times that you mentioned and had that be an issue.

[@stevenclark2894]

enjoying the older stuff TOO, catching UP

[@trenchghost9990]

That spot With the sleeping guy in the thumb nail. That is local legendary skate spot where you jump from the roof to that bank downhill. It’s sad how gross it looks now.

[@zacharyrich4069]

Go to the east side after dark and you'll see the actual tent cities and such. To be fair, Denver homeless are relatively tame. Most of them just want to be left alone and find their next meal. I feel perfectly comfortable walking around Denver at night as opposed to Chicago or Seattle. The ones that hassle you will buzz off as long as you have a backbone and assert yourself.

[@raystatter6119]

It looks to me like you visited the "nice" part of Denver. Just to the southwest of downtown along the Platte River and other places....you will see the devastation.

[@anthonyn1157]

It’s pretty bad here in 5 points, had a triple shooting go down a few weeks ago. The homeless run rampant lots of drug addicts. Long story short this place looks nice but in reality sucks not as much as other places but it’s getting there.

[@whiteprivilegedenier7459]

Too many Italian, black, and Hispanics on the DPD, most of them don't have any regard for stopping or solving crime, they just ride around openly persecuting innocent white men. Radical anti Anglo Mecha Le Raza extremism is prevalent within the ranks of the DPD.

[@xennojeremy]

Aside from not getting "what's yours is ours", you missed tbe huge wave of homeless already, they're still around, but they keep getting chased out of areas. The amount of trash should tell you the wake of the situation. If that's your only goal, you'll have to check the outskirts of Denver and outlying cities. Btw, I'm a 4th gen native. Also, we decriminalized shrooms, so get ready for all that.

[@cashed-out2192]

Bigger isn't always best

[@MusicLuv80]

I visited around 4 years ago and Denver downtown was awesome but recently I visited it was pretty bad.

[@subosgotit]

Worst stretch is down where Denargo turns into Arkins Court, by the Salvation Army place on 29th Street. Back-to-back all around the block.

[@brian5238]

Have enjoyed all of your videos!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Brian!

[@shaunhall960]

So I'm a native of Colorado and almost 60. You are absolutely right about the homeless problem here in Denver compared to Portland. It's not even close. Having said that we do have a drug and homeless problem which the city is addressing. As of 2022 we had 2047 homeless people in Denver. Many churches and government agencies are helping those that seek help. Like any social problem nothing is perfect but PEOPLE DO CARE! The city has set up tents and tiny homes for long term use to help people get their lives back. There is a lot of nimbi attitude here though I can tell you that and some folks here that just care about their property value and these are the ones that are most vocal and could care less about anything else. As you mentioned there are a lot of people moving here and why wouldn't they? Colorado is a beautiful place and has a lot to offer. Because of that fact it is impossible to keep up with the housing situation. It's not because people don't want to build here rather it is just too costly for building materials and labor to keep up with the demand so unfortunately the houses that can be built are the ones that people have the cash for. What is needed is for our community to come together to solve the housing problem and we can do that if we would stop bitching about it. People are so quick to point out the things that don't work and never on how to solve the problem in the first place. I'm in the process of building a tiny home off grid and once I do this I'd like to share my journey with others so they can do the same. There is always a way to solve a problem if you take the time to think about it and have a positive attitude. I'm tired of people who live their lives as victims because if you live that way, you always will. What we need most is for people to take responsibility for their own lives so they can give back to the community and make it stronger. Thank you for coming to our state and showing a small part of what our state has to offer. Love your channel and keep doing what you're doing. This really helps to see our cities like they really are.

[@shaunhall960]

Oh, forgot to mention Sam's is a great diner! Very popular!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment, Shaun!

[@ESUNintel]

The suburbs are getting pretty bad - a couple of years ago there wasn’t a major homeless situation in Arapahoe county, crime was low, parks didn’t smell like urine, etc. Now there’s high theft rates and the Arapahoe Sheriff no longer shows up within 10-minutes, instead I’ve heard people claim they have to wait 1-2 hours. I called them about 2-years ago when some car crashed into the fence and drove into the backyard, mainly to try and get them to stop a crazy driver from causing more damage, their response was that it wasn’t their jurisdiction and that I should call the State Trooper. State Trooper took 3-4 days just to return my call. But whatever, it’s not like anyone cares, guess just be prepared to protect your own home and family in case anyone were to break in cause the police will never arrive.

[@valerievaughan6201]

Someday you need to take a trip to Leadville Colorado. It’s the United States highest incorporated town. Two miles above sea level.

[@michaelfulton61]

Wow, lived in Denver my whole life until recent move to Austin and had no idea about the brothel history. Thank you. Started researching . This is wild. And makes sense of how it’s built downtown. But many locals would hate to live downtown now. We all moved to outskirts of Denver. Denver is a simple town and very hard to get lost. The highways are simple

[@apooleshark]

Subscribed from Littleton, CO; great work!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, I'm glad you're here!

[@darius5396]

You're in the wrong area for homeless. The city did some cleaning up but all the places where you see rocks and boulders piled up is where they used to reside and still some areas where they take up a block or two.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I wasn’t really “looking” for homeless. I basically just visit downtowns. I’m there for the artwork, the architecture, is it clean, do a lot of people live there and yes, are there a lot of homeless. I didn’t see many homeless in downtown. Denver’s downtown is actually quite nice, one of the best in the country. I don’t doubt there’s a lot of homeless elsewhere. I just didn’t see many downtown.

[@Elenz2023]

Agreed! Just head to the United Way headquarters to see hundreds of homeless. Just blocks from where you were. Hilarious to say downtown is "safe" by only driving down a few blocks.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@Elenz2023 I did a lot more than “drive a few blocks”. I was there on foot for several hours. I only used about 10% of the footage. At no point did it feel dangerous. I’ve explored real dangerous cities - Baltimore, Detroit, New Orleans, Memphis, St Louis - Denver ain’t nowhere as bad as those places. Not even close.

[@Elenz2023]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip There is an area just north of where you were that is just as bad as what I’ve seen in New Orleans, St. Louis, or Memphis. I apologize for the tone of my comment, but you certainly missed a few key areas. I like your videos, but if you made a point of going to areas where services are provided, you’d see a totally different perspective in each community you visit. Sorry, I’ve not been to Baltimore or Detroit.

[@sawtooth4615]

The video that I've seen, the bigger homeless population resides along Broadway. We are headed to Denver in August for a family reunion. I lived there for a couple of years in the mid 60s. Fun town then. You could drink "near-beer" at 18. LOL

[@paulsuprono7225]

First stead in Denver upon arriving was the YMCA, one block north of Colfax Avenue & State Capitol.

[@XiOjala]

Lots of trees in Denver. Tell them to plant fruit trees and let anyone who is hungry pick the fruit. Apples, pears, cherries, apricots ....

[@djrom66]

I couldn’t believe all the people sleeping in tents on the sidewalk as I drove around downtown Denver last month. This is Hancock and Polis’ fault. Glad I live in a much nicer city an hour to the south.

[@geraldgwynn9383]

You said it for me Hancock's 10 year plan only made him and friends of his wealthy Polis is only worried about the alphabet soup community. Your lucky to be outside of Denver. I'm trying hard to get moved

[@TheLaurahar]

I am from Denver and it is scary as hell. You are lucky you weren't assaulted.

[@bettinaparker3652]

I love how you explain everything, I feel like I'm traveling with you. The City looks great and not meny homeless, which is really surprising ! Thank you...

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@blaquepearlzchocolatediamndz77]

I'm a native, I don't believe there's a lot of us left. One of the reasons the homeless problem is so bad deals with Colfax, I used to drive for RTD the 15 and 105. I LOVE my city & state. It breaks my heart to see how Denver pretty much has been broken down. We used to have a soul, warmth, now it's so cold due to all the various people that moved in. All I remember is homeless people migrate from Cali to Denver. You can go to Boulder, one of the wealthiest counties, a suburb, and the homeless problem is out of control.

[@flowermage7299]

I live an hour or so outside east of Denver, your video was really nice. What amazes me is the crime stat that 100 cars per day are stolen in the metro and surrounding Denver area. Do the math, 700/wk, then times that by 4 = 2800/month times 12 = 33,600/yr. OMG! But the good news is, you can usually find a legal ounce of weed for about $50 - $60. Life is good.

[@waterheaterservices]

Glorious, revolutionary, humanist socialist people's crime ridden paradise.

[@Fuckyumean6667]

What dispensary sells it for $50-60 an ounce? I'm the primary income for 6. And would love to save money on bud lol

[@flowermage7299]

@@Fuckyumean6667 I shop at Lightshade on Peoria/i70, they have shake for $50 its more like trim but its still ok, and for $60 its Popcorn buds, and they are not bad. I live out here in the woods so I go to a few shops, and ask if they have Shake, and some times get a great deal and some really decent bud.

[@neodragon5159]

what is "700 a week??"

[@joshgelo7528]

There are alot of folks living in vehicles and have their belongings in a storage unit. If you plan on a move to Denver Metro area and make less then $50,000 then you should look elsewheres.

[@NevaJWilson25462]

There are tents there is about three, around there some where. As of a couple of years ago they just moved them. There are pictures. They kept taking the tents down and kicking them away. I THINK there is a parking lot Catholic Church, that the tents are at.

[@artieche9]

You missed the worst part for the homeless. Gotta go up towards Five Points to see all the homeless tents/camps.

[@Roeark]

You missed all the actual spots where the homeless are overflowing to. You just have to go a couple blocks outside of the actual downtown. They are tenting in the neighborhood blocks.

[@ryanhennigan4938]

I work in downtown Denver. Not a day goes by where I don't encounter aggressive homeless or drug addicts. If you find yourself downtown, be careful and stay alert.

[@lynellephillips3889]

No, you won't see too much homeless tents in downtown Denver, but go into Aurora, Littleton, Commerce City, and other surrounding suburbs you'll see tent cities everywhere. The homeless problem in Denver Metro area is extreme, the traffic is the fifth worse in the country, the lightrail/bus system is atrocious (and extremely expensive), cost of living is higher than most, violent/murder crimes have gone way way up in the last fifteen years (Columbine, Aurora Theater shooting, some college campus shooting, everyday local news shows domestic violence somewhere in the metro area). I'm looking for another state altogether to move to when I retire in three years. Denver used to be a wonderful place to live, now I can't stand it here.... I just don't feel safe here anymore, and I can't afford to live here. I can sell my house for over half a million and buy a house in another state with cash for half that. Yep, going to sell my house and retire in another state (AZ or WY)

[@dwarflord420]

Yeah,Denver isn't what it was event like 10 years ago. I've been here since 2009,my mom works for DCPA/DPAC as subscription agent. I use to work there as an usher myself(left to find a better paying job. Still love the place though.) It's sad I use to love going downtown,now I prefer to stay in Greenwood Village. Especially as Seeing event though it's a temporary thing having 16th street all torn up kinda makes it a pain in the nuts to navigate down there(I don't drive downtown I take light rail and then jump the free mall ride.) As for the homeless if you saw the tent city between Alameda and 10th and Osage light rail stations you'd change your mind about how bad the situation really is. Not mention the other tent city near Southmoor station.

[@sedrickavenue]

at the seven minute mark, right by my apartment!

[@milliondollamass1993]

You don't see the homeless downtown..they get swept and pushed to Aurora or the outskirts..but saying it's not bad is absolutely crazy

[@49er61]

Back in the 70's East colfax ave was all bars on both sides of the street and the airport was on the north side of the street what a trip I had in denver at 19 years old legal drinking age was 18 and I stayed around Denver for 3 months b4 returning to Iowa Thank you for sharing ❤

[@JamzeeIsHappy]

Abnormal behavior can also be singularly due to a mental illness/psychotic disorder and does not necessarily indicate the involvement of drugs. I feel this is important to consider when your giving context on the homeless population.

[@KB-ok6bf]

Dude the traffic is NOT that bad lmao good lord. I’m from the east coast but live in the heart of Denver now and traffic isn’t remotely close to coastal city traffic. Denver is way safer than a lot of other cities the same size. Ppl are so dramatic. I regularly walk home alone late at night and have never once had an issue.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Denver felt safe to me as well, and without question the traffic is not as bad as in cities such as Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Boston. That said, our hotel in Denver was 6 miles from a Whole Foods we needed to go to. It took 28 minutes to go that 6 miles. That’s pretty bad traffic.

[@haruspex54]

I go to the Ellie Caulkins and the Buell pretty regularly, walk the 16th Street Mall in the evening, ride the light rail at night, see shows at the Mercury Cafe -- never, EVER, have I had an issue with anyone. Like in any big city, you just remain aware of your surroundings and stick to the main downtown streets. I live in Douglas County and love getting out of the bubble of suburban boredom whenever I can. Betcha a lot of the folks criticizing Denver on this thread live in the 'burbs because I hear it around here all the time: "I'm afraid to go into the city." And these are usually people who are armed to the teeth in their leafy, safe suburbs. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

[@insertmyidentityhere]

BS. It’s horrible. Just bc you are from somewhere even more crappy doesn’t negate it’s crappiness lol

[@grimreefer4366]

Not quite Denver, just a couple miles north getting off I25 onto 70th ave there's a camp by Clear Creek. I see it almost every day. You can actually see it on Google maps satellite image. Just a little ways away by the You-Pull-And-Pay is another one that can be seen on satellite. There's another one filling a cul-de-sac right off Santa Fe close to Iliff. They get cleared out sometimes, but they always come back.

[@staffiattoariariacuriri1729]

We used to feed the homeless people in Denver behind the Home Depot on Alameda and I25 and by the Platte River on Santa Fe and many other locations. Many of them live under the bridges on Santa Fe and Evans. There were dozens and dozens of them.

[@kianabell7882]

What's even more upsetting. If you ask them where they are from. Majority is not from Colorado. I think they all moved here thinking they would have a better life. & realize even the natives/ locals are struggling.. I live in a city close by my whole life & never seen it this bad. I cant even go down 16th street mall anymore without someone harassing me.

[@razony]

I moved to Denver just out of the Army in the early 80's. LOVED this city! Met my first girl friend and was having fun in the Rockies. I also lived in (I'm getting old by the way.) Portland, and this is NOTHING like Portland, O as in, this city does not look like a trash dumpster, like Portland, O does. Oh the Rocky Mountains. Love the Rockies and Denver. Elway started playing a few years later. Still love my Broncos. Great channel my friend!

[@nisbit3883]

I was around the 16 street mall around Christmas last year and felt uncomfortable with all the bums and drug addicts there. I used to have loft within a block of downtown and glad I sold and left Colorado.

[@TheLaurahar]

I was assaulted on the 16th street mall 3 weeks ago. This video triggered my ptsd.

[@sarahfairly]

People that blame the cities growth on legal weed aren't looking at the full picture. Denver was growing fast before marijuana was legal. There are a lot of others reasons the city grew. Including the fact that we were less affected by the great recession here than most of the country. Also, the states recreation has attracted many young people. You missed all the homeless camps. They're just north of were. I can't say if Denver is worse than other cities but it is bad. Entire street side walks have turned into tent encampments. Though there usally is a large encampment out front on the capital building, looks like they had it broken down while you were there. The city is in a very sad state.

[@Mr._X84]

@Stephen Abootman How about all those poverty-stricken towns run by Republicans?

[@doneown503]

Thx for the info , how are Lakewood & Littleton , if you have the $$$ most people tend to live in one of those suburbs. Boulder is out of reach for many, unless u wanna live on top one another. An alt, north of Denver , is Longmount , Ft. Collins.

[@iamatlantis1]

@@doneown503 Crime is leaking even in to those nicer suburbs you listed. Littleton is somewhat isolated from it but from what I read not really any more.

[@AAwillron303]

Subbed from Lakewood, CO. Solid video!

[@OTOSoundsandVisuals]

I drive up from Pueblo, to Demver every weekend for band rehearsal. I felt like I was making the drive again watching the beginning of the video. Haha

[@michaelmyers2108]

Legalizing it was the start of the down fall

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It certainly changed things, and not all for the better.

[@sarahfairly]

It changed nothing.

[@rosemariemello6675]

what's with unaffordable housing? I know some moms who pay nearly nothing to rent a home, it's called welfare...the government pays nearly 90 percent and they get help with food, utilities...more children more $$$$$

[@daffodil9075]

That's TANF which comes with time limits of five years or less. And mothers are often encouraged, sometimes strongly encouraged, to work during that time.

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

@@daffodil9075 Also, a lot of landlords stopped taking Section 8. While the landlords could get market rate from the gov through Section 8, it's much more attractive to get 150% or more of market rate from non Section-8 renters.

[@wxchaserz1434]

As a native from Aurora, I have spent a heap of time downtown. I love the metro area. But, the cost of living since Amendment 64 passed, got way outta control. So, I had to leave. I will move back some day.

[@michellem7300]

I miss the Denver area but I had to get out of there

[@Iwishuwould-uq5gl]

It’s like this everywhere now not just Denver, it may be a lot more but Chicago, California, Florida ,Texas, Portland, Etc has always been this way . My biggest complaint is the fact they brought immigrants in,hotel them and all these people are homeless that were once tax payers and they are citizens. I feel bad I was almost completely homeless asked my county dupage in Illinois to put my son and I in hotel because I had a major surgery ,just was trying to get back up on my feet I have a government job just ran out of leave time etc and they told me there was no room in the hotel or shelter and a month later put all the immigrants in hotel they are smiling and my son and I were shaking in fear of where we were going to sleep. I care nothing about this place anymore.

[@laurieborgerding2458]

Downtown Denver is not where they let the homeless hang out. The tent cities are in other places. This is not a good place to move to if you are regular people. Too expensive. Lot rent for mobile homes on West Colfax runs up to $1500.00. Not including the purchase price of the mobile homes.

[@lordhumongus8669]

Dumping Grounds

[@Erinleigh116]

When you show colfax, I work in that building on the left hand side (1525 Sherman). This city has gotten BAD over the years.