FEBURARY 2026 | Vol.31 Issue 2 UNHOUSED IN MEMPHIS SEE NATIONAL GUARD AS THEATER OVER SOLUTIONON P.8 THE POWER OF LOVE P.4 INDIGENOUS ACTIVISM P.6 $2 SUGGESTED FROM YOUR VENDOR:
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From the Editor F Elisabeth Monaghan was born and raised in Denver, joining the VOICE as managing editor in 2019. She is passionate about social justice, and believes that writing and creative expression are some of our most powerful tools in combating homelessness and poverty. DENVERVOICE. CE. MANAGING EDITOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR ADMIN. ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS EBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF LOVE, and this issue spotlights the importance of love and friendship to our unhoused neighbors. Denver VOICE vendors also shared tidbits about what love means to them, and vendor Raelene Johnson pays tribute to her rescue pup, Jasper, whom she had to put down in January. Love may be a universal emotion, but the way we experience love varies based on the individual who expresses love and the person or creature who receives it. Many who have family members and friends in the crosshairs of ICE find it easy to understand why fear and worry overshadow sentiments like love, kindness, and empathy. I was raised to believe that “love is all we need,” but it seems like we have forgotten that lesson as loveless people obsessed with power and wealth continue to have more influence over our lives. But love does not disappear simply because it is tested. It grows resolve. We may have to look for it, but it’s there – showing up in gatherings of communities, pushing for the rights of individuals who are being treated unjustly. We see love in small, stubborn acts of care, in telling one another’s stories, and in refusing to look away, especially when we are in the grips of fear. Love alone may not dismantle unjust systems, but it can steady us enough to keep demanding better, to protect one another where we can, and to remember our shared humanity. In that quiet, undying determination, there is neither despair nor false hope, just the resolve to keep going. Together. - Elisabeth Monaghan Managing Editor EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT VENDOR PROGRAM ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS VENDOR OFFICE OFFICE HOURS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Elisabeth Monaghan Giles Clasen Andrew Fraieli Maddie Egerton Jennifer Forker Aaron Sullivan Joshua Abeyta Giles Clasen CONTRIBUTORS Pagie Miltenberger Joshua Abeyta Michael Burkley Giles Clasen Robert Davis Raelene Johnson Pagie Miltenberger Jerry Rosen Jennifer Forker, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Edwin Rapp Donald Burnes Ande Sailer Linda Shapley Steve Baker editor@denvervoice.org program@denvervoice.org (720) 320-2155 editor@denvervoice.org PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver CO 80204 Wednesdays, 10am-1pm Since 1996, the Denver VOICE has served individuals experiencing housing or financial instability by providing lowbarrier income opportunities. In the time since our inception, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work, selling the paper throughout the Denver metro area. By focusing on poverty, housing, social justice, local arts and entertainment, and the human experience behind the headlines, we tell the stories that Denver media often overlooks. An award-winning publication, the Denver VOICE is a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics. TO HELP, YOU CAN: GET THE WORD OUT: GET THE WORD O DVERTISE: DONATE @ OUT: OUT denvervrvoice.org denverv denvervoice.org rvoice. Contact ads@denvervoice.org Contact program@denvervoice.org pgg SUBSCRIBE @ UBSCRIBE @ THE COVER: Photographer and Executive Director Giles Clasen traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to interview those living on the streets about the National Guard: what they’re doing, what they aren’t doing, and how it’s affected sleeping outside. PHOTO BY GILES CLASEN DENVER VOICE FEBRUARY 2026 3 erVOICE erVOICE ABOUT US
A LITTLE LOVE GOES A LONG WAY Homelessness is a lonely and isolating experience for many, and even the smallest act of love can be transformational. MOST PEOPLE CAN FALL IN LOVE, but they don’t have to overcome the challenges of homelessness while doing so. Living without a home forces people to prioritize more basic needs, such as finding food and a safe place to sleep. Stigmas and negative stereotypes of homelessness also contribute to the sense of isolation and loneliness that many people who are homeless feel. Homelessness can also place significant stress on romantic couples due to privacy concerns and limited shelter space. But that doesn’t mean homelessness is loveless. Love is a verb. It can take innumerable small acts to demonstrate to another person that they are loved; sometimes, it’s like building a mountain out of pebbles. THE POWER OF LOVE J.P. Hall, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Refuge, which provides end-of-life care for people who are homeless, said showing people who have lost their homes that they are lovable can have life-altering impacts. “We try to find ways of making this time as pleasant and safe as possible, and for people who haven’t had very many choices in their life, that can be quite a change,” Hall said. Showing love to people who are unhoused also can be personally transformative. Hall recalled a time in his life before he became a Gregorian friar, when he had a negative attitude about homelessness and the people who experience it. Then, he participated in an event serving meals to the unhoused and “just fell in love with them,” he said. Jess Wiederholt of Mutual Aid Monday (MAM) has seen that personal transformation firsthand. MAM hosts a weekly potluck dinner for people experiencing homelessness, typically held on Mondays outside the Denver municipal building. Hundreds of volunteers have helped MAM distribute Story by Robert Davis food, clothing, and other goods to their unhoused neighbors during the last five years. The group also will set up distributions at other locations as needed, she said. Wiederholt said that kind of selfless love can seem “radical” to some. But to her, this is what love looks 4 FEATURE
like: “showing up, staying present, and using your voice to advocate for people who are too often ignored or criminalized for existing.” “That kind of reliability matters deeply,” Wiederholt said. “It tells people, ‘You are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone.’ True community shows up — not once, not seasonally, not when it’s convenient, but no matter what.” “INHERENT DIGNITY AND RESPECT” There are several ways community organizations in Denver take steps every day to show people experiencing homelessness that they are loved and deserving of love. Lucas Land, development director at The Delores Project, which provides 24/7, low-barrier shelter for women, transgender, and nonbinary people, said that love is built on mutual trust. That includes trusting people to make the best decision for themselves. “We start from that place of inherent dignity and respect for everybody, and so our low barrier policies are an extension of that,” Land said. “We don’t expect everybody to have it all together in order to have a bed to sleep in.” In addition to providing a safe bed, The Delores Project operates a nightly meal program. Staff posts a menu at the beginning of the week, letting guests know which meals will be served each day, he said. Everyone is invited, but some people prefer to make their own meals. “It’s a small way of giving our guests some autonomy over their lives,” he explained. Love is much more than doing for others. It also involves feeling acceptance and belonging, which the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) works to foster for its residents, said Cathy Alderman, CCH’s vice president of communications. For instance, CCH encourages “resident councils” at its properties for neighbors to collaborate on activities and to recommend property improvements. The organization also hosts events such as a Veterans Ball at Renewal Village, a permanent supportive housing complex in Chaffee Park. CCH has also thrown a cookout and carnival for guests at North Colorado Station, and staff at the Stout Street Health Center also held a Soup for the Soul event for people receiving services. In this sense, love means “supporting and creating opportunities for folks to be part of the community,” Alderman said. “All of these types of activities are intended to help people connect and get out of the isolation that we know homelessness can create for people,” she added. SMALL ACTS Little acts of love can go a long way for people who are homeless, but they don’t have to be grand or lofty. There are several small ways people can show homeless people that they are loved and deserving of it, too. Land said one small, loving act everyone can do is to start up a conversation. It doesn’t have to be about why someone became unhoused; it can be about their hobbies and interests. He recalled meeting one of The Delores Project’s guests at his wife’s ukulele concert in December 2025. After a brief conversation, Land left with a recommendation for an Italian sandwich shop that is down the street from his house. He said he’s eaten at that shop regularly ever since. Hall adds that taking the time to build relationships with people who are homeless is one of the best ways to show someone that they matter. “Treat them the same way as you treat anybody else,” Hall said. “Because they’re just another person. They’re not another species or creature of some sort.” Brother J.P. Hall, executive director of The Rocky Mountain Refuge, speaks at the “We Will Remember” vigil on December 21. Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Refuge. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless held a ball for military veterans, complete with a bbq dinner. Photo courtesy of Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. A caretaker at Rocky Mountain Refuge dancing with a guest. Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Refuge. DENVER VOICE FEBRUARY 2026 5
FOR LAURA GONZALEZ, ACTIVISM BEGINS WITH ANCESTRAL MEMORY Story by Paige Miltenberger LAURA GONZALEZ SAYS her organizing work did not begin with a protest or a campaign. It began at the family table. “I truly believe it is in my ancestral memory,” Gonzalez said. Growing up, Gonzalez heard her mother often repeat a phrase that roughly translates to, “Where four can eat, seven can eat.” Gonzalez said it was less a saying than a rule for living in community. Community meant sharing, and survival meant looking out for one another. Gonzalez is an Indigenous activist in Boulder and a woman of Mayan descent from Abya Yala, the Indigenous name for the Americas. She said her work is shaped by the history of her ancestors, many of whom survived genocide, land theft, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid. “None of that ended,” she said. “Which is why I have to fight.” Gonzalez said historians estimate that about 95% of Indigenous people in Abya Yala were killed during colonization. “That means 5% were left,” she said. “So the fact that I’m existing, that I’m sitting at this table right now, surviving in such a brutal society – that itself is resistance. I was meant to be erased.” LEARNING FROM THE PAST Gonzalez was born in Texas and raised in Tabasco, Mexico. When she was 12, her family moved back to Texas, an experience she said shaped her identity as a “displaced urban Indigenous person.” Her parents raised her to be proud of her Mayan roots. As a child, she visited major Mayan sites like Palenque and Tikal. Later, she reconnected with her ancestry through relationships with the Dakota and Nakota communities. Using oral histories, family records, and traditional clothing patterns, she traced her lineage to Mopan Maya communities. Gonzalez said ancestral knowledge is central to how she understands justice and survival. She often points to anthropology and archaeology as proof that organized, thriving societies existed long before modern political and economic systems. “This current brutal, racial capitalist, white supremacist, patriarchal, colonial, and imperialist system is just 500 years Laura Gonzalez wearing a huipil — an embroidered blouse from San Antonio Palopó in Guatemala’s Sololá department — and a purple kufiya on top. Photo by Paige Miltenberger. 6 COMMUNITY PROFILE
old,” she said. “That’s not very old.” She said studying the collapse of monarchies and apartheid reminds her that power structures are not permanent. That perspective, she said, inspires her to create hope daily. ORGANIZING IN BOULDER Today, Gonzalez lives and organizes locally in Boulder. In 2015, she played a leading role in Boulder’s campaign to become a sanctuary city. The work brought her into close collaboration with undocumented immigrants and introduced her to immigrant rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra. Vizguerra gained national attention in 2017 when she was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people. In March 2025, Vizguerra was detained by ICE at her Denver workplace and held for nine months at a private detention center in Aurora before being released on bond in December. “I believe she was targeted because she was a leader,” Gonzalez said. “When you remove a leader, the community is destabilized.” Gonzalez encourages people to watch “Si Pudiera Quedarme,” a documentary about Vizguerra’s life and activism. Although Gonzalez is a U.S. citizen, she said immigration enforcement has still deeply affected her family. “I’ve had loved ones deported,” she said. “My family has been separated from loved ones, from the immigration and the prison system.” She said those systems are built to generate profit, not to reduce harm. In 2016, Gonzalez launched a DACA fund at the University of Colorado Boulder and helped create guidelines for faculty and staff to better support undocumented students. She said she does not see herself as a lone leader, but as part of a larger lineage of organizers. “I’m standing at the feet of giants,” she said. LOOKING BEYOND BORDERS After October 2023, Gonzalez expanded her work beyond local organizing and into global solidarity efforts. She helped raise funds for survivors in Gaza and for communities facing violence in Sudan, using the same mutual aid principles she applies locally. That work led her to co-found Slice of Hope, a mutual aid organization that directs most of its funding to Gaza, with the remainder supporting Sudan through the Khartoum Emergency Response Room. Gonzalez views global solidarity as both ecological and political. “We’re symbiotic systems,” she said. “We depend on water, trees, and other human beings to survive.” For her, Abya Yala is the original template. The genocide of Indigenous peoples, land theft, and the imposition of borders established a model that later spread globally. Gonzalez stated these patterns are rooted in colonial history, citing how Nazi Germany drew from eugenics movements in the United States and Australia. “It’s been done here before,” she said.“It’s not new.” “Whatever we do here and get away with,” she said, “becomes permission for other imperial powers to do elsewhere. This is why accountability matters.” She drew connections between violence against women and Indigenous communities across borders, citing the disappearance and murder of Indigenous women in the United States, femicide in Mexico, and violence against women in Gaza. “People think that these are just isolated incidents, and they’re not,” she noted. Gonzalez urges people to remember that, “Gaza is a litmus test, and it’s not just a litmus test because of humanity and our society, but it’s also the test for how far the West is going to go to maintain the brutal system that we live in.” Before the Trump administration removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, Gonzalez said U.S. involvement in Gaza was about testing how far it could act without consequences and warned that Venezuela could be next. Since the removal, she hopes people will continue to pay close attention to Venezuela. BOULDER AS A MICROCOSM Gonzalez has spoken at Boulder City Council meetings calling for divestment and a ceasefire in Gaza. She urges journalists to examine Boulder’s financial investments and their growth alongside the rising death toll, encouraging them to “start looking at how this portfolio has grown by the quarter.” “As the death toll rises in Gaza, that portfolio is increasing,” Gonzalez said. “We’re profiting as a city from genocide.” “How can we as a city of Boulder invest $38 million in a foreign state that’s profiting from genocide?” Gonzalez asked. This is the question Gonzalez insists members of the community ask themselves. HOPE AS RESISTANCE Organizing amid constant violence takes an emotional toll. Gonzalez does not romanticize the work. She goes to therapy, leans on community, and continues to “love in imperfect ways.” “There’s no way that I could be here without the community support that I’ve gotten,” she added. But she emphasized one thing above all: hope. “We have a duty to create hope,” she said. “It’s okay to be helpless, but once we’re hopeless, the colonizer won. Empire won.” Her vision for the future is uncompromising: no borders, no nation-states, no capitalism, no empires. A world where land, water, animals, and people are treated as equals. “Another world is possible,” she said. Gonzalez views global solidarity as both ecological and political. “We’re symbiotic systems,” she said. “We depend on water, trees, and other human beings to survive.” Photo courtesy of Laura Gonzalez. DENVER VOICE FEBRUARY 2026 7
Those living on the street question the Guard’s purpose, and even members say they are more tourist attraction than action. UNHOUSED IN MEMPHIS VIEW NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT AS THEATER OVER SOLUTION Photos and story by Giles Clasen NEWS
UNHOUSED RESIDENTS IN MEMPHIS say President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard has been more political theater than the solution that the president claims. Since June, Trump has deployed the National Guard and other federal agencies in cities from Los Angeles to Memphis and National Guard members patrol downtown Memphis in Janurary Washington, D.C., under the guise of addressing crime and illegal immigration. In places like Minneapolis and Los Angeles, the use of ICE and the National Guard has been met by protests. In Memphis, the Guard’s presence has been met with skepticism. The deployment of the National Guard also happened at a time when homelessness is growing in cities across the country. Trump signed an executive order in March directing federal agencies and local governments to treat homelessness as a crime and mental health problem, reversing course on more than a decade of policy that treated homelessness as a housing problem. In Washington, D.C., National Guard troops were tasked with helping clear some homeless encampments, according to local reports, prompting concern among advocates that the troops would be used similarly across the country. But so far, people experiencing homelessness say the troops don’t bother them. Some say the troops don’t seem to have much to do at all. continued next page FEBRUARY 2026
“THEY DON'T HELP US, BUT THEY DON'T BOTHER US EITHER” crime. “You see seven guys walking down the street with 9 mm Reactions to the Guard have ranged from cautious acceptance to open skepticism among the unhoused community in Memphis. Kenneth Smith, who has been living outside, said the Guard has not interfered or interacted with people experiencing homelessness. “They don’t mess with you,” he said. “I’m sleeping on the ground. They probably don’t like it, but there ain’t too much they can do, so they don’t bother you.” Smith said he was not afraid when the Guard arrived and believes their presence has changed the atmosphere downtown. Smith also said he is frustrated by the Guard’s presence because he sees their deployment as wasted funds that could be used to help those in need. “They don’t help us, but they don’t bother us either,” he said. Another unhoused resident described the Guard’s presence as more theater than solution. Rob, a Desert Storm veteran who has been unhoused for years and asked to be identified by only his first name, said he has had no negative interactions with the Guard, but also no meaningful ones. “It was intimidating at first, but you get used to it,” he said. “They just seem to walk around with nothing to do.” Rob said having any additional law enforcement presence near Beale Street likely prevented partiers from misbehaving, but he saw the Guard presence more like having a teacher watching than law enforcement preventing Glocks, you think twice about doing anything stupid,” he said. “So yeah, maybe it’s a good thing.” He paused, then added, “But that money could be spent better.” PLAYING A LIMITED ROLE Several Guard members emphasized that their role is very limited. Each member interviewed for this story spoke on condition of anonymity. National Guard troops have been a visible presence on Memphis streets for months. Armed and in uniform, they march in small groups through downtown corridors and entertainment districts. The Trump administration has framed the deployment as a crime-reduction measure. On the ground, however, Guard members describe a mission with limited purpose, unclear outcomes, and a growing sense that the money could be better spent elsewhere. “It’s a culture shock for everyone, me too,” said one Guard member. “We’re all from Tennessee and just a little ways from home. But it still is time away from our families.” “We’re not here to do anything more than support other agencies,” said another. “And we don’t really do much of that. We just walk around downtown.” One member added, “We work with DEA, all the agencies. We’re just one big team.” When asked about Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the same service member was quick to shut down the line of questioning. “I can’t talk about ICE. I’m not allowed to. That is a whole different party.” For some Guard members, the personal cost of the deployment has been high, even as the purpose of the deployment remains vague. “My youngest is five, and he was born when I was deployed,” one soldier said. “It’s hardest on him to be gone, but I think he understands.” Despite the show of force, Guard members themselves acknowledged that much of their day-to-day presence is observational. One member of the Guard said that there has been little to no participation in arrests or investigations. According to him, the Guard is almost more of a tourist presence than anything else. “People are curious,” he said. “I take photos with people every day who are curious. I’ve probably taken hundreds of photos with families over the past month.” COST WITHOUT CARE Both Smith and Rob said the core issue is not whether the Guard is polite or intimidating, but what the deployment represents in terms of priorities. According to Rob, if the Trump administration really wanted to fix the issues that lead to crime, then the focus would be on creating services, not deploying troops. “If you give the homeless places to live, you give them jobs, you give them healthcare, that’s how you fix issues in this city,” Rob said. “I’m not getting any help from anybody, including the National Guard. I’m just trying to make it.” Smith echoed that sentiment. “For us, nothing really changes,” he said. Rob, an unhoused resident of Memphis, said it was “intimidating at first” to see the National Guard walking around downtown Memphis, “but you get used to it. They just seem to walk around with nothing to do.” 10 NEWS
STITCHING TOGETHER A STRONGER FUTURE Story by Arnie I AM A HAPPY, INDEPENDENT WOMAN. I have a life that I enjoy in my own way. But when I look back at the journey that landed me where I am now, it still gives me a sudden jerk. I believe my story needs to be told because those who are struggling today need to know that hard times don’t last forever. I was very young when I realized that my family had financial constraints. My father earned some money, but it was not enough for my family to lead a very comfortable life. My mother suffered from bipolar disorder as well as other mental disorders, but diagnosis was not easy back then. There was very little awareness around mental health back then, too. Anyone going for therapy was considered crazy. I remember going to the mental hospital where my mother was being treated. I remember seeing her head shaved after she received shock therapy. For a child, it was very unsettling. My sister also began showing symptoms of mental health issues, and she, too, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I ensured that my mother and sister got proper treatment, but on an emotional level, I did not know how to connect with them. I was young and inexperienced, and found it hard to handle such difficult situations all alone. I completed my schooling in my hometown, Kartong, in The Gambia, and then studied fashion design in college. Although I enjoyed the subject, by the end of my college years, I was too drained because of family pressures to continue. Besides, I needed to earn. My father was the only earning member of my family, but did not earn enough, so I had to support my family. I took up one odd job after another, but nothing seemed to suit me. However, in one of these workplaces, I met T. He seemed like a lively, down-to-earth person, and we soon began seeing each other. Unfortunately, marrying T was one of the worst decisions of my life. Months into my marriage, I realized I wasn’t happy. He was a good human being, but not a good husband. I was scared of his uncontrollable anger; I was an introvert, and I could not fight back. He would go and stay abroad for months to set up a business, because he was not earning when we got married. But he would not contact me for months - I would find myself sitting at home with my two adopted girls, lonely and miserable. I even spent hours on my birthday waiting for his call, but it never came. I had wanted a life of my own, I had dreamed of a family Photo by Barbara Krysztofiak I could connect to, and the very thought of going back to my father’s place was unbearable. But in my marriage, I felt disrespected and demeaned. I learnt what a demon helplessness can be, and what mental damage it can cause. Although I had friends I could confide in, I was afraid to take the first step. Coming out of the life I had settled for was harder than it sounds. I felt like I had nowhere to go. I did not know what the way out of this maze was. As a result, I went into clinical depression. I told nobody in my family about it, but I saw a psychiatrist and was soon on medication. That is when I decided that I had to be happy. I had to live. If being happy at that moment meant living alone, I would do that. It took me months to wrap my head around the fact that I wanted a divorce, because I was afraid of the stigma. Nonetheless, I got divorced and came back home. Every time I went out, I was troubled by my neighbours’ eyes following me. I was troubled by their questions. During that time, my therapist told me that to pull myself out of the deep abyss, I must do something I love. I realised I wanted to sew, so I started to make clothes and sell them. Nowadays, I do not depend on anyone for my happiness and peace. I am enough for myself. I talk about mental health openly, and I believe the stigma should be wiped out completely, so that people going through a tough phase do not hesitate to see a mental health expert. I also believe that sticking to a partner and staying in an unhappy marriage because of the fear of society’s reaction causes massive emotional damage. It eats away at your confidence. I have made some bad decisions in my life, but I do not falter when people ask me about them anymore. I look them in the eye and tell them that my life was messed up; I was clinically depressed. I was lonely then, but today I am happy, because I have myself to pull me up every time I fall. So, if you are struggling today, believe in yourself. Have faith. It does get better. Courtesy of INSP.ngo WINTER Wishlist Drop-offs are accepted Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: • Bottled water • Non-perishable snacks (granola bars, peanut butter crackers, trail mix, etc.) • Toiletries (individual or travel-size) • Lip balm, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deoderant, hand sanitizer • Hand warmers • Socks During the winter, Denver VOICE vendors experience increased heating and housing costs. Meanwhile, their income decreases because cold temperatures means less foot traffic and fewer paper sales. Every donation counts. Thank you. • Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) • Men’s jackets (sizes L, XL, XXL) • Women’s jackets (sizes M, L, XL) • Backpacks, carrier bags • Scarves • Gloves • Winter hats VENMO YOUR VENDOR If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! @DenverVOICE DENVER VOICE FEATURE 11
JOSHUA ABEYTA A new monthly column by the co-founder of Los Mocochetes WELL, THIS IS AWKWARD. About a month ago, I was approached by Denver VOICE Executive Director Giles Clasen, who asked if I’d be interested in covering the local music scene for the paper. Clasen had previously covered Los Mocochetes, the award-winning Denver band I co-founded and primarily managed for almost 10 years, documenting our unique “Xicano/Funk” sound and activism. As has happened with many folks who’ve covered us, Clasen and I became fast friends, both in real life and on social media. As I imagine it, he must have been reading some of my long-form critiques and thought, “I should hire this guy.” Who knew Facebook rants would pay off? While not as awe-inspiring as the prestigious FIFA World Peace Prize, Los Mocochetes have been given laser-cut glass plaques for a variety of accolades, such as Best Funk Band, Best Latin Band, Best Stage Presence, Best Band of Activists, even listed as one of Denver’s Best Jam Bands (despite being definitely NOT a jam band) by the likes of Westword, 105.5 The Colorado Sound, and more. In 2018, we even made honorable mention for the ultimate indie pipe dream, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. By all accounts, we were making anything music quite unlike else in town. We spoke about injustices here and abroad, including the detention and imprisonment of our dear friend Jeanette Vizguerra by the ICE Gestapo, the 43 students of Ayotzinapa, the genocide in Gaza, colonization, gentrification, empty commercialism, and post-modern malaise. You know, party music! But the tagline, “Revolutionary music you can dance to,” was a fitting descriptor, and we were able to alchemize these heavy topics into a cathartic soundscape that helped move the stagnant energy through your body like a limpia you didn’t know you needed. Like a steady drumbeat, the opportunities rolled in. We opened for some of our heroes and giants in the industry, such as Thundercat, Ozomatli, Los Lonely Boys, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, and even the queen of Xicano/Funk herself, Bonnie Raitt (true story). We were the first band to grace the stage at the newly-renovated, historic Holiday and Federal Theaters in Denver’s Northside (don’t you dare call it the Highlands). We helped christen Denver’s Meow Wolf: Convergence Station, thanks to our sibling band and purveyors of Mexican rock, Izcalli. We even got to play on the lead float for the St. Paddy’s Day parade in Downtown Denver one year, which was awesome, if not exactly onbrand. We were breaking barriers, cutting ribbons, smashing glass ceilings, and taking no prisoners. But, hidden beneath the bright lights, the crowd surfs, the accolades and the praise, I was breaking down. Here’s the awkward part. When Giles Clasen approached me, unbeknownst to him, I had just decided that I was leaving the group. Creative differences… typical. But vague and overused excuses aside, the grind was taking its toll. The past decade was a dizzying parade of sweaty music festivals, sweet mountain runs, nonprofit fundraisers, graduation parties, cancer benefits, and school day performances. We’ve played everything from sold-out crowds in the round at the Denver Botanic Gardens, or on the famous TEDx red dot in the Buell Theater, to standing on a plank of OSB in a backyard in Westminster (Colorado, not London) or trying to cram into the Bermuda Triangle of a tiny stage at the Lion’s Lair at 11 p.m. on a Sunday in the dead of winter, when the crowd is nothing more than the bartender and the ghosts of Colfax. We’ve been paid in tacos, tequila, exposures, and fictional bitcoin, but also a decent amount of real money. In the midst of this whirlwind, two years ago, after years of battling, bargaining, and denying that I had a problem, I finally got sober from alcohol. This past October, we took our first trip to SoCal, where we were super wellreceived in Long Beach, Oceanside, and San Diego. I had a bucket list moment when I ended up playing drums for us at Alex’s Bar, a famous LBC haunt for now-famous bands, when it was clear the guy we hired out there wasn’t going to work out. As Sublime’s unapologetically biggest fan, it was akin to travelling to Mecca and getting a job once I got there. We then topped that off by playing an even more culturally significant space when we were the first band to perform inside the Chicano Park Museum, a sliver of liberated land that lives under a byzantine series of bridges that connect mainland San Diego to Coronado Island. But, while we were dreaming of Californication, and without revealing the intimate details of the dispute, those creative differences finally came to a head, Photo by Manual Aragon and in a moment of gut-wrenching clarity, I knew. When I got back to the Mile High City, I took a significant amount of time to weigh my decision, but all the while I was looking back at the footprints in the sand, and I knew deep in my soul that it was time to carry myself into the future, which brings us to today. The future is here. Starting now, I will be your new intrepid reporter for the burgeoning Denver music scene. I will be working through a revolutionary lens in search of creative disruptors, change makers, avant-garde truth tellers, and nuanced alchemists who use the medium of music to convey their message. As for my musical stylings, I will be focusing on my two main groups: my rock, soul, & hip-hop “solo” project, lil piñon, as well as The Xisme, an alt-pop duo with my wife, Nicole, which is releasing our selftitled debut EP on Friday, February 13. The show will take place in the Tuft Theater at Swallow Hill Music. I’ll also be performing on bass with my cousin Julio Perez’s group, indie darling this broken beat, and, as always, experimenting in the lab with new collaborators, steady clipping at the heels of the muse. When not at my day job as outreach director at Swallow Hill Music, taking care of my family, playing hockey, chess, cheering on the Denver sports teams, skiing, marching, or organizing, I’ll be hitting my favorite local spots in search of Denver’s next wave of simmering talent. Which means, I’ll be doing what I’ve always done, but now I’ll have a little light in the window to shine on all the love that I’ve found. 12 COLUMN
IN YOUR OWN PUZZLES PUZZLES COURTESY OF STREET WISE WORDS RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR Loving My Dog Enough to Let Him Go, and Welcoming My New Puppy. 22 26 30 35 38 41 43 47 51 57 60 44 45 48 52 58 61 49 50 53 59 62 54 55 56 39 42 46 36 40 23 24 27 31 37 28 29 32 33 34 1 13 16 19 20 2 3 4 5 14 17 21 25 6 7 8 15 18 9 10 11 12 ACROSS THIS IS THE MONTH OF LOVE, and I just wanted to share how much I love my dog, Jasper. A couple of weeks ago, I found out he had an inoperable tumor that was very big and causing him lots of problems going to the bathroom. When I found out what it was, I immediately told my vet that I will not be the type of owner of an animal that has to keep him alive just so they don’t lose them. I love him so much that I wanted to release his pain and not make him suffer anymore, so two days later, the vet came back to my house, and Jasper went to heaven peacefully. My heart is hurting. He was 16 years old, and if it wasn’t for the tumor, you would not have known he was that old and would have thought that he had a lot more life in him. Letting your animal not suffer just because you don’t want to say goodbye is cruelty in itself. I kept my promise that I wouldn’t let him be in more pain – even if it meant I had to say goodbye. A month before I had to put Jasper down, I got my dog, Luna Rose. She is now 3 months old, and I never had a puppy before. God knew what was going to happen to Jasper because out of the blue, I called a friend and said, “Hey, what are you doing?” and he goes, “Trying to get rid of some puppies.” I asked to send me pictures, and I wanted to see what type of dogs they were. Looking at the pictures, I picked out the one I wanted. I found out it was a female, and I didn’t care. Now, I have a puppy to love for many years to come, and she fulfills my days, but I will never forget Jasper! When Luna Rose becomes a year old, I want her to get certified as a therapeutic dog to bring her into the hospitals to patients’ rooms. That is a way to give back what was given to me a few years ago, when I was in a hospital for three weeks. I was missing my dogs, and it made me happy to have a dog on my bed so I could pack. I told myself that one day, if I ever get the chance, I wanted to get back, and she will be my chance. So, Luna Rose is now part of the Denver VOICE family! I told my vet, “Let’s hope she won’t have to put down another of my animals for at least 16 to 18 years, when Luna will be much older.” When it comes time, don’t let your love for your pets stop you from doing what’s right. I thank God I had Jasper for nine years, and I gave him the best life I could! Sometimes, when you love your pets, letting them go is the hardest thing to do when it’s time to say goodbye. But the journey was worth it! Rest in peace, Jasper. Mommy loves you and misses you, and so does Luna Rose – even if she had her big brother for only one month! 1. Village People hit 5. Arctic hazard 9. Collectible discs of the 1990s 13. Apple product 14. Word within the word “devilish,” appropriately 15. Shouted casual greeting 16. Trail 17. No more than 18. Church instrument 19. Household item that folds up for storage 22. Britain, to Caesar 25. Unwelcome obligations 26. Some strings 30. Santa’s reindeer, e.g. 31. Dork 32. D&D, for one 35. Big furniture retailer 36. Type of tournament 37. Forbidding 38. Grow fainter 39. Appearance 40. Beauty pageant wear 41. Sewers 43. Washington airport or the city in which it’s located 46. Speechifi es 47. Swelling of the brain 51. ___ cotta 52. Couch 53. Caddie’s bagful 57. “___ you forgetting something?” 58. 32-card game 59. Midterm, for one 60. Get rid of 61. Haul 62. Retirement acct. option DOWN 1. Peke squeak 2. UFC sport 3. Tabby 4. Flower genus named aft er a fi gure of Greek myth whose soldiers used it to treat injuries 5. Lament 6. All square 7. “Disturbia” singer’s nickname 8. Hidden valley 9. Not watertight 10. Korbut and Petrova 11. Dirty look 12. Lost to the ___ of time 15. Rub elbows 20. Sidesplitter 21. Automaton of Jewish lore 22. Bypass 23. Rapper Minaj 24. Capturer’s triumphant reaction 27. Kind of drive 28. Residents of the Forest Moon of Endor 29. Smallest 32. Cut of beef 33. Blender button 34. Blades to cut 36. Illegally hunt 37. Fiasco 39. Take in a heartbeat 40. Garr, Polo, or Hatcher 41. Rears 42. Spin 43. Assail 44. First page of el caledario 45. “Green ___” 48. Like some profs. 49. Four ___ (canned alcoholic beverage) 50. “___ fi rst you don’t succeed...” 54. Outer: Prefi x 55. “Dig in!” 56. “I can’t believe this,” to a texter DENVER VOICE FEBRUARY 2026 13
HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED LOVE? This column is a place for Denver VOICE vendors to respond to questions from fellow vendors, our readers, and staff. If you would like to help out a Valentine’s a holiday I have had many different loves, including a friend that I love dearly. I met her through a JERRY ROSEN DENVER VOICE VENDOR I have experienced love by being kind to individuals and helping anyone in their time of need. RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR friend of hers and appeared at her doorstep in the dead of winter. She took me in, and we have been best friends for 18 years now. If it hadn’t been for Dona, I would not be here to share my story. She is an angel on earth! MICHAEL BURKLEY DENVER VOICE VENDOR for Day friends, is generally of love family, etc. I’d like to take time to express my love to everyone working at the Denver VOICE, the vendors, and to those who are no longer with the VOICE. Their contributions will to the not Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments! organization and our community be forgotten. Happy Valentine’s Day from Burkley Michael thought of as a celebration specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code to make a payment through Venmo. Thank you! DENVER VOICE BOARD WELCOMES GILES CLASEN AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR T he Denver VOICE Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of David Giles Clasen as the organization’s new executive director. Denver VOICE readers may be familiar with Clasen, who previously served as a board member and, most recently, as the organization’s development manager. He has also been a longtime contributor to the Denver VOICE street paper and has received both national and international awards for his journalism. Over the past 15 years, Clasen has held positions in communications and development across several nonprofit organizations. Before joining Denver VOICE as development manager, he worked for the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority and PERA Colorado. He has also worked for Colorado’s Rape and Awareness Assistance Program and Community Employment Services, a division of Developmental Pathways, and has volunteered with Compassionate Colorado and Mutual Aid Monday. Clasen received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Divinity degree from the Denver Seminary. Photo by Giles Clasen 14 ANNOUNCEMENT
RESOURCE LIST MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / DENTAL SERVICES ACS COMMUNITY LIFT: 5045 W. 1st Ave., Denver; https:// rentassistance.org DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER: 777 Bannock St.; https://www. denverhealth.org DETOX LOCAL: Features information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community; http://www.detoxlocal.com DRUG REHAB USA: Addiction hotline - 888-479-0446; Organizations that take Medicaid: http://www.drugrehabus.org/rehabs/ treatment/medicaid/united-states/colorado/denver HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 112 E. 8th Ave.; 303-572-7800; HIV/Hep C/ Gonorrhea/ Chlamydia testing available. Services are restricted to active IV Drug Users. Offers clean syringes to active users, as well as safety training on proper disposal of dirty syringes; M-F – 9am-12pm: http://www.harmreductionactioncenter.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER: 3800 York St.; Emergency walk-ins - 303296-1767; Dental – 303-296-4873; M-F - 8am-2pm LIVER HEALTH CONNECTION: 1325 S. Colorado Blvd.; Suite B302; Resources and support for those affected by Hep C. Free Hep C testing offered; 800-522-4372, 800-359-9272; info@hepcconnection.org; https://www.viventhealth.org NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE: 800-342-AIDS/800-344-7432 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Text or call 988; https:// www.988lifeline.org NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE: 800-RUNAWAY/800-786-2929; https:// www.1800runaway.org RAPE ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK: 800-656-HOPE; https:// www.rainn.org SALUD CLINIC: 6255 Quebec Pkwy, Commerce City; 303-697-2583, 970-484-0999; https://www.saludclinic.org/commerce-city STOUT STREET CLINIC: 2130 Stout St.; 303-293-2220; Clinic hours for new and established patients - M, T, Th, F - 7am-4pm, W - 9am6pm; https://www.coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB GUIDE: HELPLINE – 888-493-4670; https:// www.detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ U.S. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 800-799-7233 (English and Spanish); 800-243-7889 (TDD); https://www.thehotline.org EMERGENCY SHELTER INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF SHELTER ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO TO “FRONT DOOR” SHELTER ACCESS POINTS: • For individual men – Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St. • For individual women – Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St. • For youth ages 15-20 – Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St. • Families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366. ADDITIONALLY, DENVER PARKS AND RECREATION WILL OPEN ALL CURRENTLY OPERATING RECREATION CENTERS AS DAYTIME WARMING CENTERS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS ON FRIDAY, NOV. 8 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 9, FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED A PLACE TO WARM UP. Denver Public Library locations are also available during regular business hours. Double-check library hours: denverlibrary.org/ locations. For more information about shelter access, visit denvergov.org/ findshelter or text INDOORS to 67283 for updates. DROP-IN DAYTIME CENTERS HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; Mon.-Fri. 7am1pm. Private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch, etc; https:// www.thoh.org THE GATHERING PLACE: 1535 High St.; 303-321-4198; Mon., Wed.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm, Tues. 8:30am-1:30pm; Daytime drop-in center for women, their children, and transgender individuals; Meals, computer lab, phones, food bank, clothing, art programs, GED tutoring, referrals to other services, etc; https://www.tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 231 East Colfax; Mon.-Fri. 9am12pm; 303-572-7800; Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harm-reduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes; https://www. harmreductionactioncenter.org LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER: 2222 Lawrence St.; 303-2940157; day facility, laundry, showers, restrooms, access to services DENVER VOICE FEBRUARY 2026 15 FOR INDIVIDUALS IN DENVER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR FINANCIAL INSTABILITY. DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCE-LIST https://www.homelessassistance.us/li/lawrence-street-communitycenter OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-5:30pm. Drop-in center; bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, WIFI https://www.odmdenver.org T. FRANCIS CENTER: 303-297-1576; 2323 Curtis St. 6am-6pm daily. Storage for one bag (when space is available). Satellite Clinic hoursMon., Tues., Thurs, Fri. 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm https://www.sfcdenver.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES: 846 E. 18th Ave. For those 60+. TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, and more. https:// www.seniorsupportservices.org SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES): 2017 Larimer St. Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30 years old. Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. Tues.Fri. 12-4pm & Sat. 11-2pm. https://www.soxplace.com THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 2100 Stout St. 303-2910442. Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am. YOUTH AGED 15-20 IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE OVERNIGHT SHELTER SERVICES: 303-974-2928 https://www.urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-andservices/drop-in-center URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): Youth 14-24 in Denver and Colorado Springs. Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skills and training, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing. 730 21st St. 303-974-2900 https://www. urbanpeak.org FREE MEALS CAPITOL HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 1100 Fillmore St., Sat. lunch at 11:30am; https://www.capitolheightspresbyterian.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: https://www.mealsforpoor.org CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee Mon.-Fri. 8:30am; https://www. denvercathedral.org CHRIST’S BODY MINISTRIES: 850 Lincoln; Mon. closed, Tues.-Thurs. 10am-3pm, Fri. 8am-11pm; groceries & hot meal on Sat. at 2pm (at 16th & York); Sun. church service at 6pm, dinner at 7pm; https:// www.christsbody.org CHRIST IN THE CITY: Home-cooked meal, weekly; Lunch in the Park is on Wednesdays from 12-1 at Benedict Fountain Park (Tremont and 22nd); https://www.christinthecity.org CITYSQUARE DENVER: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm; https://www.citysquare.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: 1820 Broadway (in front of Trinity United Methodist Church); Hot meals served M, T, Th., F - 11:45-12:15; https://www.mealsforpoor.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION: 1130 Park Avenue West; 303-294-0157; 3 meals 7 days/week, 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm; https://www. denverrescuemission.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F. 7am-1pm. Not open weekends; Breakfast is at 8am, lunch is served at 11am; https://www.havenofhope.org HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE: 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm; https://www.krishnadenver.com HIS LOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: 910 Kalamath St.; Community dinner on Thurs., 6-6:45pm, Men’s breakfast 1st Sat. of the month, 8-10am, Women’s breakfast 2nd Sat., 9-11am; https://www.hislovefellowship. org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Sandwiches, M-Sat., 10-10:30am; https://www.holyghostchurch.org OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; 303-830-2201; Sat. morning breakfast: 8am, Sun. dinner (required church attendance at 4:30pm); meal served at 6pm; https://www.odmdenver.org/home ST. ELIZABETH’S: Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. on Auraria Campus, 7 days/week, 11:00am; Food, coffee; https://www.stelizabethdenver. org ST. FRANCIS CENTER: 2323 Curtis St., Wed. & Fri. 3-4:30pm (except third Wed. of each month); https://www.sfcdenver.org SAME CAFÉ: 2023 E. Colfax Ave; 720-530-6853;Restaurant serving mostly organic food—not free, but pay what you can or work off your meal in the kitchen; Open Mon.-Sat., 11am to 2pm, Closed Sun. & holidays; https://www.soallmayeat.org VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: 2877 Lawrence St., breakfast (8am), lunch (11:30am), dinner (5pm) Mon.-Thurs., 12pm on Fri., 1pm on Sun. Food & clothing bank 9:30am-4pm Mon.-Thurs.; https://www. voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetro-foodnutrition-themission LGBTQ+ SUPPORT THE TREVOR PROJECT: 866-488-7386: https://www.thetrevorproject. org LGBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 800-246-7743: https://www. lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline PRIDE INSTITUTE: 800-547-7433 TRUE COLORS UNITED: 212-461-4401, https://www.truecolorsunited. org VETERANS & SENIORS DENVER INNER CITY PARISH: 1212 Mariposa St.; 303-322-5733; VOA Dining Center for Seniors, aged 60 and older, W-Sat. 9am-12pm; Food Bank, W-F; Tickets at 9am, food bank open 10am-12pm; dicp. org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES: 846 E. 18th Ave.; For those aged 60 or older; TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, 3 meals, M-F -7am-7pm; Sun. 11am-4pm; https://www. seniorsupportservices.org VA MEDICAL CENTER: 1700 N Wheeling St.; Aurora 303-399-8020: https://www.va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5 VETERANS GUIDE: https://www.veteransguide.org; Veterans Disability Calculator https://www.veteransguide.org/va-disabilitycalculator YOUTH SERVICES SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES): 2017 Larimer St.; 303-296-3412Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30; Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. T-F - 12-4pm & Sat. 11am-2pm. Instagram: @ Soxplace THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 2100 Stout St. 303-2910442; Youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, 303-974-2928; Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am https:// www.urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-incenter SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (YOUTH SERVICES): 833-931-2484; Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions; https://www. sunshinebehavioralhealth.com URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 730 21st St., Denver; 303-974-2900; Ages14-24; Serving Denver & Colo Springs; Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skill/straining, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing; https://www. urbanpeak.org Y M C A B E R G P O G S I M A C E V I L H O L L A P A T H M E R E O R G A N I R O N I N G B O A R D O N U S E S A N G L I A V I O L O N C E L L O S O C T E T D W E E B R P G I K E A D I M L O O K S S E A T A C P R O A M D O U R T I A R A S E A M S T R E S S E S O R A T E S E N C E P H A L I T I S T E R R A A R E N T T O S S S O F A S K A T T E E S E X A M T O T E R O T H
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