Unclean floors, kitchens found at Colorado veterans hospital

A report made public Wednesday by the Veterans Affairs Department said a February inspection found cleanliness problems in eight patient care areas and two areas where instruments are sterilized.

Associated Press

Oct. 04, 2017, 6:31 p.m.

Government inspectors found dirty floors, unclean kitchens and dusty vents when they checked on a veterans hospital in Denver and a small veterans clinic in southern Colorado, but they didn’t say whether the conditions caused health problems for patients.

A report made public Wednesday by the Veterans Affairs Department said a February inspection found cleanliness problems in eight patient care areas and two areas where instruments are sterilized.

The report didn’t specify whether the problems were in Denver or a small outpatient clinic in Salida, Colorado, which inspectors also visited.
VA spokeswoman Kristen Schabert says inspectors focused on the Denver hospital.

The VA says plans are in place to address the problems.

A new veterans medical center is under construction in suburban Aurora to replace the Denver facility.

You can see the inspector general’s report here.

Double protected bike lanes on South Broadway. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Broadway bike ‘superhighway’ might be done sometime in 2023?

Eight years after it started.

A rendering of a proposed 72-unit housing complex for people experiencing homelessness called Valor on the
Fax.

The city is considering funding an apartment complex that would offer services to unhoused people who have brain injuries

The 72-unit complex would be built on East Colfax Avenue.

A giant English oak towering over Milwaukee Street in Cherry Creek is about to be cut down. Feb. 23, 2021.

A pretty big tree comes down in Cherry Creek

The dance between urban growth and urban nature continues, with tears and fancy furniture cutting in.

A protester kneels before officers after Aurora Police forcibly cleared the municipal building lawn at the end of a series of rallies demanding justice for Elijah McClain. June 27, 2020.

Aurora police chief said trust between cops and residents is broken but declined to comment on punishment for officers involved in Elijah McClain’s death

Wilson and other city officials responded to an independent report blasting APD's actions in the Elijah McClain case.

Some of the many painted walls in Five Points' RiNo Art District. Jan. 12, 2021.

How the CRUSH investigation came together, and why we reported it

A behind-the-curtain look at Denverite’s months-long investigation into CRUSH founder Robin Munro.

Denver Police officers enforce a cleanup of an encampment in front of Morey Middle School. Capitol Hill, Aug. 6, 2020.

Police will continue to patrol homeless sweeps, but Mayor Hancock wants civilians to play a larger role

The administration also wants to divert non-emergency 911 calls about homelessness to civilian workers.

Aurora police critically mishandled encounter with Elijah McClain before his death, independent report finds

McClain died in August 2019 after being placed in two carotid holds by police and injected with ketamine by EMS.

Surrounded by friends and supporters, Robyn Frances stands in front of a mural dedicated to the women of Denver's art scene, off Larimer Street in Five Points' RiNo district, that was recently defaced. Dec. 19, 2020.

Sexual assault allegations, violence, bullying: Women say Denver’s street art scene and its leaders have failed them

Allegations against the founder of the largest, most popular street art festival in Denver have circulated for years. RiNo just parted ways with him.

Jackie Logan works to sell everyting at Neat Stuff on Welton, on the 2500 Block of Welton Street, before she closes up shop for good. Feb. 8, 2021.

One block in Denver’s COVID economy: Older businesses on Welton Street are taking a hit

Jackie Logan's Neat Stuff on Welton gift shop is so far the only casualty on the block.

Candice Vigil, who helps Mental Health Center of Denver clients get work in foodservice, pickets with colleagues and supporters along Federal Boulevard for higher and more predictable wages. Feb. 20, 2021.

Denver’s mental health workers picket for higher pay as their services are more needed than ever

“Most of us are there for the clients, not the pay," peer counselor Benjamin Franklin said. "We don’t get paid that much anyway.”

Cleo Parker Robinson addresses a crowd on the first night of Kwanzaa at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, Dec. 26, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend without spreading the coronavirus, Feb. 19-21

Celebrate Black History Month, cheer on the Nuggets, and keep staying home.

A National Weather Center station in Central Park, which will soon become a new monitoring site in the city for the agency. Feb. 17, 2021.

Denver’s weather is gauged some 17 miles away. The National Weather Service is trying to bring that reading a little closer to home.

City Council will vote next week whether to revive a weather station at the old Stapleton airport.

One of many pairs of Konctete Eden sneakers that Stephen McMillon and Anthony Porch hope to distribute to Denverites facing poverty. Feb. 13, 2021.

Seeing a city in need, these Denverites want you to help them distribute 1,500 pairs of shoes

A local entrepreneur and a local musician are working to warm the feet of people living on the edge.

Mayor Michael Hancock speaks during Gov. Jared Polis' press conference on COVID-19 at the Governor's Mansion in Capitol Hill. Nov. 17, 2020.

Mayor Hancock’s Thanksgiving pandemic plane trip didn’t violate any ethics, at least by the city’s standards

"I disagree."

An incoming safe outdoor camping site at Denver Community Church in North Capitol Hill. Dec. 11, 2020.

Denver gives nearly a million dollars to temporary sanctioned campsites for people experiencing homelessness

It's the first time the city is giving the "safe outdoor spaces," as they're known, money directly.

The historic Pancratia Hall is being renovated and will soon become full of affordable housing units on the Loretto Heights campus. Harvey Park South, Feb. 10, 2021.

A peek inside the historic Loretto Heights dorm that will soon be very chic affordable housing

The project is part of the larger campus redevelopment in southwest Denver.

Truong An Gifts, in Federal Boulevard's Far East Center, is busy with Lunar New Year shoppers. Feb. 9, 2021.

COVID pushed back Little Saigon’s BID effort, so advocates have stepped in to act like one

If there was ever a time for small businesses to have access to a Business Improvement District, it's during an economy-crippling pandemic.

Keeping up with the Sloanses

Sloans, Sloan's or Sloan Lake? It's a bit murky.

As Denver Police kept a small group of protesters at bay with fencing and, in a few cases, pepper ball rounds and mace, city crews began a sweep of a large homeless encampment at Arkins Court and 29th Avenue in Denver’s RiNo district on Nov. 30, 2020. In this photo, volunteers are helping a man move his belongings as police stand nearby.

Activists want Denver to investigate its treatment of people living on city streets

Denver's auditor says he's gearing up for two investigations in 2021 that may help shed light on the so-called "sweeps."

Neighborhood activist Nettie Moore takes the mic just before a ceremonial ribbon is cut. Media day at the new Alamo Drafthouse on West Colfax, May 8, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Nettie Moore, the queen of West Colfax, died surrounded by her family

She was 96 years old and had lived by the Lakewood gulch since 1927.

More Denverite