SPECIAL FEATURE Continued from page 9 “The reality is that these people lack citizenship and work permits. They don’t have the paperwork to get apartments or jobs here in the city, conventionally. So, they’re relying on people doing things under the table for them. This leaves people vulnerable to exploitation,” Kezia Lozano said. “I am here with my son and husband to give my son a better future. Thank God Almighty for allowing me to be here in Denver. Above all I am grateful to the Mayor and Governor for providing for our expenses and giving us a roof over our head,” said Maria Angel, a Venezuelan who was able to secure a 42-day stay at a northeast Denver hotel before being evicted on March 9, 2024. Angel and her spouse have not been able to find work and were unsure where they would go after being released from the hotel. ■ ELIS APONTE, LOUIS DANIEL, CARMEN MUJICA, AND RICHAR RODRIGUEZ KEEP WARM WITH A PROPANE CAMP STOVE AT AN IMMIGRANT ENCAMPMENT. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN DANNYERLIS GUZMAN LAYS IN HER TENT. GUZMAN AND HER FAMILY SPENT TWO NIGHTS IN A TENT AFTER BEING EVICTED FROM A CITY HOTEL. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN MOST IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN TENTS WENT TO SHELTERS DURING THE MAJOR MARCH SNOWSTORM. SOME REFUSED TO LEAVE THEIR CAMPSITE NEAR ELITCH GARDENS FOR FEAR THE CAMP WOULD BE DISMANTLED. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN 10 DENVER VOICE April 2024
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