From the Executive Director T Giles Clasen is a writer and photographer driven to tell Denver’s often overlooked stories with dignity and care. He serves as executive director of Denver VOICE and has worked with the organization since 2008 as a contributor, board member, and board president. DENVERVOICE. CE. MANAGING EDITOR HE DENVER VOICE is growing, and that is exciting. At the Denver VOICE, growth means more people are turning to us for opportunity and support. We are adding vendors at the fastest rate we have seen in years. New vendors are joining us because they understand the value of selling the paper and earning a dignified income. The individuals walking through our doors want work, and they can’t find opportunities through more traditional jobs. We provide a way to generate income through effort and initiative. Our vendor numbers were significantly diminished after 2020. The pandemic disrupted downtown foot traffic and the daily interactions that made selling a street paper possible. Like many organizations built on face-to-face connection, we felt that impact. Six years later, we are still rebuilding and growing. That growth is not accidental. It is the result of consistent outreach and a team that approaches this work with empathy and practical problem-solving. Each week, we meet with individuals experiencing homelessness. We talk. We listen. We ask individuals what they need and figure out how we can help. Sometimes those solutions are as simple as helping them reschedule a flight home to see family or as big as finding housing when they leave a sober living house. We keep sleeping bags, clothing, and basic necessities on hand because immediate needs require immediate responses. When someone needs something, we do what we can. We are not a shelter or a housing provider, but we are committed to being responsive and present. Our Vendor Coordinator, Maddie Egerton, plays a central role in this work. She provides steady, personal support to vendors, helping them navigate challenges, stay accountable, and succeed. Maddie’s one-on-one care makes a difference. Vendors know they are not just signing up to sell a paper; they are joining a program where someone knows their name and cares about their progress. If you have purchased a paper, stopped to talk with a vendor, or supported this work in any way, you are part of our growth! The Denver VOICE exists to create opportunity and connection in our city. Right now, more people are stepping forward to take part in that opportunity, and we are ready to help them. - Giles Clasen Executive Director EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT VENDOR PROGRAM ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS VENDOR OFFICE OFFICE HOURS BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR ADMIN. ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Elisabeth Monaghan Giles Clasen Andrew Fraieli Maddie Egerton Robert Davis Jennifer Forker Aaron Sullivan Joshua Abeyta Giles Clasen CONTRIBUTORS Mariana Ortega Rivera Joshua Abeyta Steve Anson Albert Bland Rea Brown Giles Clasen Sondra Jeffries Raelene Johnson Mariana Ortega Rivera Jerry Rosen Jennifer Forker, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Edwin Rapp Donald Burnes Ande Sailer Linda Shapley Steve Baker Lisa Schlichtman 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: THE WORD O DONA DONATE @ NATE @ VOLUNTEER: OUT: OUT Contact program@denvervoice.org ADVERTISE: DVERTISE: UBSCRIBE @ pgg Contact ads@denvervoice.org SUBSCRIBE @ THE COVER: The ensemble of “Shrek the Musical” performs during the show’s run at the PACE Center in Parker, Colo. PHOTO BY GILES CLASEN CORRECTION: The Feburary issue mispelled the photo credit for Joshua Abeyta’s photo on page 12. It should have been spelled as Manuel Aragon DENVER VOICE MARCH 2026 3 org@denverVOICE denvervoice. org ABOUT US
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