COMMUNITY PROFILE CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CREDIT: GILES CLASEN His need to chase new interests led him away from tattooing full-time, and he moved into drawing art and caricatures of children and families at the Denver Zoo and Elitch’s. He worked security jobs, as well, to stay afloat. Just before the pandemic hit, Rodger was hired by Casa Bonita. He was certain it would give him a new purpose and creative outlet. He hopes the new owners will still honor the old offer. According to Rodger, he recently stopped by the Casa Bonita construction site and has been told repeatedly that they will call the old staff back sometime soon. But it is far from a secure job offer. Until then, Rodger continues to find individuals interested in trading a good night’s sleep for a new tattoo. He doesn’t think he will qualify for an apartment any time soon because the eviction after the pandemic has locked him out of the apartment market. It is a nonstarter everywhere he looks. But Rodger is a creative optimist and believes he has found a solution. He is in the process of buying an RV to give him a secure place to lay his head. It is the only option he sees for himself. “I’ve lived a very nice life, but I’m homeless right now,” Rodger said. “There are a lot of us living in a new reality after COVID and in places, we never expected to be.” ■ CREDIT: GILES CLASEN May 2023 DENVER VOICE 9
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