SPEAKOUT: The trouble with LoDo
By Mike DeMarco
Published July 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Tim Hussin/Rocky Mountain News
I love LoDo. Seriously. I've been hanging out there since before they built Coors Field. I've watched it morph from a dilapidated warehouse district to an amazing urban oasis.
Over the last couple of years, the Zeitgeist has morphed once again. A relatively carefree area of revelry has morphed into a haven for gang bangers, wannabe gangsters and various misanthropes looking for fights. A culture of low-level intimidation took hold. Sure, there were always fights in LoDo, but the likelihood for explosive violence was minimal. Recent examples of this new kind of violence are late June's shootout with police officers, and the incident last November where eight people got shot, one of them being killed, after exiting the nightclub Hush.
In the past, trouble wasn't actively looking for you. Now it tries to find you. Clubs that used to be carefree now pat you down, and use electronic wands, to search for weapons. Many fights, some involving weapons, are never reported. Try walking with your girlfriend after 12:30 a.m. in LoDo. See how many times you're left unmolested. Most likely, you'll get hit with insults from slowly passing cars full of gang bangers (or - who can tell? - wannabe gangsters).
I actually wrote Mayor John Hickenlooper about these issues a year ago, after my girlfriend and I were verbally harassed returning from dinner at Vesta Dipping Grill by six gang bangers for about two blocks. No response. We weren't happy with that end to our $120 dinner, or the lack of responsiveness from the political leadership.
There is no question that some clubs, such as the defunct Market 41, draw the wrong kind of crowd. I define the wrong kind of crowd as gang bangers, wannabe gangsters, and people who embrace this image and lifestyle proudly. That said, many of the troublemakers aren't even going into the clubs, or spending money. This is why staggering bar closing time won't solve the problem. They simply cruise in their cars and walk around LoDo looking for fights.
The police seem like they are there in a social capacity only, and it isn't like they are stationed on every corner (which they should be). Overall, they are totally reactive. I don't know what the problem is here. Whatever the case may be, security is inadequate.
So, what is the bottom line? I'm a mid-30s "YUPster." Hard-working, honest, no criminal record, etc. So are all of my friends. We used to hit LoDo two times a week. I'd say we spent about $300 a weekend collectively, minimum. Now, we simply aren't interested in the hassles that come along with LoDo. We still love it, but walking a gantlet back to your car gets old fast.
So we started spending our money other places. Over the last year, I'd say that comes up to more than $10,000 of lost revenue for LoDo businesses. Guess what? Next year LoDo will lose another 10,000 of our entertainment dollars. Furthermore, we talk to other people in our social spheres. There is a similar feeling among them. Who knows how much money they spent, and will spend, in other places because of the same issues.
Like ostriches, Denver city officials can continue to bury their heads in the sand on these issues, but in the meantime, more and more people like me will leave LoDo to the people Denver apparently wants - the troublemakers, gang bangers, wannabe gangsters, etc. Until you focus on the people actually causing the problems, you're going to have limited success.
I'm not mad at Denver - frustrated maybe, and I can't understand why they allow this downward spiral. Likewise, I'm perplexed as to why good citizens have to endure bad behavior from bad people while our city shrugs its shoulders.
Mike DeMarco is a resident of Northglenn.
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July 5, 2008
5:02 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
Mike, few politicians will respond to hard questions. They think once elected they no longer have to serve the people. The Mayor said they won't tolerate violence but where was the plan on how they are going to handle it? This country is in such bad shape because the politicians have sat on their butts for too long ignoring the problems, making false promises, called lies where I come from, and fail to keep their sworn duty to serve the people. This comment box has an ad by Udall saying paid for by Udall for Colorado. It should read, Udall for Udall.
July 5, 2008
7:24 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Mike are you sure there are problems in LoDo? After the last shooting all I heard or read was there is no problem in LoDo. It is perfectly safe and harmless to visit and walk the streets at night. Too bad your in the minority. You are the only person that has complained there is a problem.
July 5, 2008
8:54 a.m.
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bxwatso writes:
Imagine how those of us who live in LoDo feel about all of this!
I just want to point out that Mr. DeMarco is writing about a couple of blocks near Bash and Beta. There are large sections of LoDo that are much more safe.
I truly feel for Vesta because they are a tiny oasis of class on a sleazy block.
It's a sorry state, especially because the Government has the tools to contain low-life establishments like Bash, yet they choose not to enforce them.
In my personal business, I get constant monitoring for serious offenses like dirt on the sidewalk or tool trailers parked overnight on the street. I know there will be enforcement for these crimes. At the same time, the Denver Government does not care about people being stabbed or shot.
July 5, 2008
9:13 a.m.
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Existentalism writes:
The problem lies with this totally inept so called police department of ours and with this so called mayor who is interested in nothing but making money for all of his vested business adventures.
This mayor is without a doubt the worst mayor denver has ever had.
He blathers on about crime not being tolerated at any time in any manner, shape of form in denver, yet this thing that thinks it is a mayor continues to scratch his butt and do absolutely nothing about it.
With these two inept agencies running this city, there will never be any sort of a solution to these types of problems.
July 5, 2008
10:10 a.m.
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denverrma writes:
Yes, lower downtown has changed. When I was a kid living in Wash Park, my brother and I would get on the Cherry Creek path and ride our bikes down to Larimer and Speer to cruise around down there. This was about 1979-80, something like that. I was about 11 years old. We would ride under all the viaduct bridges that were such a great part of the lower downtown landscape back then. It was quite an adventurous time at that age. I dont think many people around were here then or remember that it looked TOTALLY different back then with all the bridges up from 14th down to about 22nd. The tell tale signs are still there in the older buildings with their 2nd story 'entrance' doors. And oh yes, my grandmother would be unhappy that we were down there. 'Its so dangerous with all those bums around!', she would say. Sad that the worse thing that could have happened back then was that some bum would ask us for a quarter and now there are gunfights and roving boozo's. I live in the DTC now and rarely go to LODO (other parts of downtown, yes) because its just a mess down there a lot of the time. Its like amature night with all the idiots running around. I feel bad for LODO residents and am glad that I didnt end up buying down there, which I came very close to doing.
July 5, 2008
11:36 a.m.
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sunshinestate writes:
Expanding slums and the expanding "Gangsta" population is a vexing,nationwide problem. My once idyllic North Miami in South Florida is now a slum.
July 5, 2008
2:07 p.m.
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arby writes:
Vudumom
I hope you were being sarcastic.
I have a business in the 5 points, Lodo area. Wanna come down some morning and clean up the used condoms and wash out the parking area so my customers aren't offended? How about finding a decapitated body. They put the head in the dumpster. You may be from Baltimore but you haven't been to the points and Lodo at night. And I won't be there either.
A lot of the cops are just like every one else they just want to get their time in and retire. Some are trying but I think they are the minority. When you do your best and see no results and see your fellows brought up on charges pretty soon you just give up and stay for your pension.
July 5, 2008
2:58 p.m.
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Johninlongbeach writes:
This has been a problem for years. I lived in Denver four years ago and I remember fights. I seen groups of four on four fighting and the cops just watch. That is the problem with LoDO. The cops don't care or are chicken. I've seen a guy verbal abuse a girl and the cops where telling her that they will take her to jail. I was downtown when the Broncos won the Superbowl and the cops started the riots. I think the Denver Police for is a joke and has been a joke for years. Living in Long Beach, the mentality is night and day. Here they don't pause to take you down in handcuffs. There they are almost scaried to. Not a big city mentality.
July 5, 2008
5:08 p.m.
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Hussie writes:
Maybe when these "gang bangers" and "gang wannabes" start taking over Hickenloopers joints, he'll get the message...
The real problem is, once these types get a foothold, it's nearly impossible to get rid of them without extreme measures...
They should be learning from the failure of California of what "not" to do, and implementing strategies that work...Los Angeles has been taken over, and the gangs just keep spreading out from there...They run the jails & prisons, then they run the streets from those same jails & prisons...
I would suggest taking a hard core stance against them, and doing it now...If they don't, then Denver WILL become another L.A.
July 5, 2008
6:16 p.m.
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hinona writes:
Our illustrious mayor Hick is out campaigning for funds for the Democratic National Convention instead of doing what he was hired to do. RUN A CITY and not BS about "we don't condone as a city,ie: violence, gangs and guns"..
What a disaster financially as well as publicly the DNC will be.
Spend some of this $$ cleaning up the gangster and criminal element instead of putting on that goofy smile.
If we don't clean up this City soon, we'll be just like another Aurora... Wanna live there !!! I think not.....
July 5, 2008
6:38 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
I know people who go to these clubs quite often. Wed- Sat and it isn't ALWAYS gang bangers starting hassles. Alot of Caucasians
getting drunk, loud mouthing calling American-Hispanics "dirty Mexicans" and none of them have ever been out of Colorado.. more so to Mexico..and don't consider themselves Mexicans or what they call the recent people ..chedd's. I am one that is always against 'gang bangers'
but serious..just because you're Hispanic does not make you a 'gang banger'. Other people start trouble too.
The fancy name LO-DO is Lower Downtown and has always been cursed with alcoholics, stabbings and killings that was the worst place and dirtiest in Denver. No one would of wanted to be around there way back when. Now it's just new and fancy but, the aura of it all hasn't changed.
July 5, 2008
8:52 p.m.
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arby writes:
redwhiteandBLUE
Get your act together before you post. Try to make coherent statements,
Since when were people with an Hispanic surname not Caucasian? Got me on that one. Since when were people with an Hispanic surname not allowed to serve their country and did so bravely.
You are a part of the problem and not a part of the solution.
White people (whatever that means in your mind) are the only racists??
July 5, 2008
9:26 p.m.
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Sweetpickle writes:
There's the problem in a nutshell. RW&B and arby are on the same side, but aren't listening to each other.
July 5, 2008
10:56 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
OK!!!! WHITE people cause trouble at the clubs at LODO...
NOT all HISPANIC-CHICANOS.!..AMERICAN BORN.!.NOT GROWN UP ANCHOR BABIES...CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE CLUBS!!!!! AND THEY ARE NOT GANGBANGERS EITHER!! WHERE DID I SAY ANYTHING IN THIS POST ABOUT SERVING THEIR COUNTRY ????!!! WHERE IN THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM?
AND WHERE DID I SAY ...WHITE PEOPLE ARE RACISTS...????!! I NEVER HAVE USED THAT WORD!!
DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM READING...NOW ..I WROTE IT 'PLAIN'!!!
July 5, 2008
11:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Patron_Drinker writes:
redwhiteandBLUE,
are you saying that just because they're Anglo (or some other non-hispanic ethnic group) they can't be gangbangers? I think we need some affirmative action.... (kidding)
July 6, 2008
7:07 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Arby, I was being sarcastic. After the last shooting I kept reading there is no problems in LoDo. On the newscasts I saw person after person proclaim there is no problems, it's totally safe down here.
After reading Mike's letter and your comment, It confirmed what I suspected, the city is covering up the problems.
Arby my sympathies are with you. It seems like the only people having fun in Denver are the criminals. Yet the city will still want their tax money, right?
I'm afraid the inmates are running the asylum. Good Luck to you.
July 6, 2008
8:23 a.m.
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arby writes:
rw&b
You are still having problems making coherent statements.
You didn't say whites are the only racists but you implied it. We all have our little hidden prejudices.
When I mentioned Hispanics serving our country I was trying to refer that they are totally American not half American half Mexican or Cuban or whatever. I'm not half anythong. I am an American. Period. If you can't grasp that concept then I'm sorry.
July 6, 2008
8:47 a.m.
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HOOK writes:
Anyone who wants to be brave and take the grand tour of what the current state that Lodo has become.... Stand on one of the following intersections at about 1:30 am on any Friday, or Saturdy, and even some weeknights now.
20th and Blake
20th and Market
20th and Larimer
22nd and Curtis/Broadway area (bring your bullet proof atire for this one)
Way to many to name, but just stand on the outter edges while the outcrowd is flocking (stumbling, fighting, and shooting their way out).
July 6, 2008
11:15 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
Just once I would like to read a post on a subject that it isn't the Democrats fault. Rightwingers you need some theropy.
July 6, 2008
11:54 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
arby, better sign up for your CCW. If the cops aren't taking care of the problem, step up. The idiots down there perfer UNARMED victims. When they find otherwise, they'll go away.
July 6, 2008
12:13 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Arby,
What I'm saying is.. it's not only 'gang bangers' causing problems at LODO. And people stereotype gang bangers as Hispanic. What I was saying is white people start fights too. I said caucasian/ Anglo
not only Chicanos. I never mentioned ANYTHING about anyone SERVING OUR COUNTRY. Nor did emphasis it anywhere in this post. Again, I have never used the word racist. Again it's ALL people causing problems.
I've been told that Sports Column for the fourth of July had a long, long line with people trying to get in. All nationalities.
To clarify..I have a family member that is the sweetest person, never caused us any grief.. never got in trouble, but he and his friends sag their pants and can hardly walk, trying to hold up pants. If he went to one of those clubs he'd be called a gang banger. Never been in a gang. Just wants to be cool.
July 6, 2008
12:20 p.m.
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taxidave writes:
The hip-hop culture is evil. The sooner most people relize this truth the better. The cops need to ticket EVERY loud and deep bass offender they can find. This would include the clubs who allow this noise to escape from their clubs. To be subjugated to this form of torture vibrating my inners and brain is intolerable! Make Lo-Do unfriendly for the gangsta crowd.
July 6, 2008
1:50 p.m.
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jamesdenver writes:
Meanwhile I'm at my mellow dive bars on South Broadway and East Colfax - a street that suburbanites shudder at and joke about - and the worst that happens to me are bums asking me for cigarettes.
I'll support my neighborhood pubs, clubs, and dive bars over the megaclubs anyday.
oh and the comments above are correct: This isn't a "gang banger" thing. Most violent Lodo rampages, (kicking cars, punching newspaper boxes) I've seen are started by alcohol fueled WHITE overgrown frat boys pissed off that they aren't going home with whatever slutty girl they set out too.
james http://www.futuregringo.com
July 6, 2008
3:12 p.m.
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jay writes:
the letter writer needs to do a little more traveling if he thinks downtown denver has a crime problem.
maybe northglenn isn't far enough.
July 7, 2008
12:49 p.m.
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Madre2 writes:
I HAVE been to LoDo on a Saturday night, but it's not gangsters I've noticed, but the hundreds upon hundreds of mostly white middle-class people in their 20s screaming, drunkenly running across streets, boozing it up in doorways and engaging in sex acts in cars. (Some of the most obnoxious people walking through LoDo on weekend nights are loud-mouthed, drunken Rockies fans leaving the ballpark.)
I recently witnessed a young blond woman performing oral sex in a car parked next to mine as I struggled to get my newborn grandson out of the backseat and safely into my daughter's LoDo loft. A few blocks away, police officers were standing in a club doorway yucking it up with bar patrons. There was a spring break mentality in the air. I feel sorry for all those LoDo residents who paid $1 million for their luxury condos and have to deal with this ambience. It's so third worldish.
July 8, 2008
2:05 p.m.
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c_leez writes:
I first moved into the area in 1992, I must say going to LoDo is more like going to Cancun now. The entire area is retarded with drunken foolish bar patrons; hooting and hollering acting like its the first time they drank booze. What ever happened to the coolness... Calvin's, The Billabong now JAX... puke! I doubt many of the readers can recall those establishments (I could be wrong...shrug. pardon me if I am). I refuse to go to LoDo for the same exact reason of this article... Good write DeMarco, spot on!