From the Executive Director W 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 The Power of Opportunity HEN I STARTED working for the Denver VOICE, we had about 15 active vendors. This made it difficult to justify our existence when we were helping such a small number of people experiencing homelessness earn an income. But those 15 people relied on the Denver VOICE for that money. Without our organization, they had nowhere to turn to replace the income and few prospects. In the past 18 months, we have built our program to where we now have more than 50 active vendors. For each of those individuals, the Denver VOICE is a lifeline they can’t go without. We estimate that we are helping put thousands of dollars into the pockets of individuals experiencing homelessness each month, and we have connected many of our vendors to other homeless services to stabilize their lives. Our journalism has even reached new heights. We won more Top of the Rockies Society of Professional Journalists awards this year than ever before, including a first: three of our unhoused vendors won awards for their columns about homelessness in Denver. We are not only helping individuals earn, but also helping communicate the experiences of those living in the margins in ways no other Colorado media organization can. But we need your help. We’re launching a “Hot 100” initiative to grow our community of recurring donors to 100 by the end of the summer. Recurring donors sustain our work; a reliable source of funding lets us plan, expand our services, and broaden our impact in ways a one-time gift simply can’t. Federal cuts have pushed more organizations toward foundations for grant support, and that ripple effect is being felt by nonprofits like ours. When the whole landscape tightens, everyone competing for foundation support feels it. That’s why your monthly gift carries so much weight right now. Buy the Denver VOICE a cup of coffee every month by setting up a $5 recurring donation today at Colorado Gives. DONATE NOW THROUGH THE - 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 CONTRIBUTORS Elisabeth Monaghan Giles Clasen Andrew Fraieli Madeline Egerton Jennifer Forker Aaron Sullivan Lisa Schlictman Ethan Clark Giles Clasen Joshua Abeyta Mark Bertoldo Donald Burnes Michael Burkley Ethan Clark Robert Davis Wayne Easterling Raelene Johnson Jerry Rosen Khaleigh Reed Jennifer Forker, President Donald Burnes, Vice President Edwin Rapp, Treasurer Isabella Colletti, Secretary Ande Sailer Linda Shapley Lisa Schlichtman editor@denvervoice.org program@denvervoice.org editor@denvervoice.org PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 989 Santa Fe Drive Denver CO 80204 10 a.m. -1 p.m., Wednesdays 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 overlook. 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: NA THE WORD O VOLUNTEER: DONATE @ DVERTISE: OUT: OUT denvervoice. org org@denverVOICE SUBSCRIBE @ UBSCRIBE @ THE COVER: Students at Prep Academy work on mural for their school with help from artists Andreas Kremer and Reina Luna. PHOTO BY GILES CLASEN DENVER VOICE JULY 2026 3 ABOUT US
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