Readers Weigh in on Charlotte's Web and Housing in Denver

I have to commend you on Joel Warner's article: thorough and well-presented. People needed the facts to make their own decisions. The more evidence they have, the better chance they have at helping and not harming their loved ones.
Kathleen Chippi
Nederland

As the parent of a child who is treated by Realm of Caring and the Stanley brothers, I would like to voice my disappointment with Joel Warner's recent Westword piece. First and foremost, I think you attempted to write a balanced piece, but that attempt fell drastically short when you did not speak to one happy Realm family. I guess we were supposed to feel gratitude that you allowed the people from Realm and the Stanley organization to respond to criticism, but without actually speaking to any of the many happy families of their current patients, the bias in this piece was very clear.

I was quoted in the article, but you never actually contacted me. In my case, at least I know that the words I wrote were passed on via Heather Jackson, and they were mine. But when you chose to use quotes from screenshots off Facebook, shared by people who sought to embarrass those connected to Charlotte's Web, you really did a very serious disservice to many struggling parents whose children have epilepsy and use cannabis oil as a treatment. You took what should have been private conversations between parents and shared them with your audience without even contacting the parents you were quoting. Not only is this bad journalism, but it was hurtful toward the audience we assume you were actually trying to reach. Those of us who have sick children rely on having a private place to discuss the issues that come up with our kids and their various seizure treatments. Yes, we all know that Facebook isn't ever truly private. But your choice to include parents' statements from what you knew to be a private group is extremely disappointing.

Most important, I find it really irresponsible that you insinuated that Charlotte's Web was at fault in Eric Prine's death or any of the other deaths mentioned in the piece. The families who uproot their whole lives to move to Colorado for this treatment often have extremely sick kids. I know mine was when we arrived here. Most children who have died on any type of cannabis treatment here in Colorado were deemed terminal before they initiated treatment. I, for one, appreciate that there is an organization that is willing to take on patients like that when they are truly in need.

Just wanted you to hear from an extremely satisfied Realm of Caring parent. I hope if you ever decide to "expose" them again, you will take the time to interview a few of us as well.
Liz Gorman
Colorado Springs

I am very disappointed in John Hickenlooper for apologizing for Sand Creek on behalf of the state. He can say what he wants personally, but he is not speaking for me. This happened 150 years ago; let it go.
Jack Fitzpatrick
Denver

Hickenlooper didn't have to say anything. Big ups for saying something.
Marshall Chippewa
Posted on Facebook

I think the best apology would be to change the names of the towns and monuments named after the murderers involved in the massacre.
Marcelino Casias
Posted on Facebook

So many restaurants have closed, and others may be struggling to stay open. It wouldn't be so bad if they would serve foods that people understand and like. For example, why would I ever eat octopus salad (one of the dishes at the Nickel)? That's why I get frustrated with your restaurant reviews.

There's a reason that Casa Bonita, for instance, has remained open for decades!
Cheryl Murphy
Commerce City

I became homeless when I retired. I worked fifty-plus years; people do not seem to care. It hurts a little...
James McCarty
Littleton

How many people can afford $1,000 a month? It might work for a couple, but most single people just can't pay that much.
Don Heldenbrand
Posted on Facebook

I just moved out of Denver for this very reason. Too many people moving in, and although there are jobs, it is difficult to be offered a well-paying job. I was booted from my $915/month apartment at the end of my lease so they could remodel. When I asked what the new cost would be, I was told $1,295/month. A 41 percent increase is ridiculous, especially when most companies only offer an annual wage increase of 2 to 4 percent on average...if you get one at all.
Nate Smith
Posted on Facebook

The excessively high housing rentals in Denver are very troubling, especially in combination with wages that remain stubbornly low for most people — particularly young people starting out.

I rented a small one-bedroom apartment in Capitol Hill in the late '90s and early '00s for an affordable $400 per month. In 2003, because of a job change, I bought a two-bedroom condo in far southwest Denver, before the housing bubble burst a few years later. For a while it seemed I had made a big mistake, as I ended up owing more on the condo than it was worth (this is still the case today).

However, with rental prices so high now, my condo is turning out to be a good deal. With low interest rates, I have been able to refinance twice, keeping my mortgage payments low. No doubt if I had stayed in Capitol Hill, my rent as a retired person would be far beyond my ability to pay and, like many others with lower or fixed incomes, I would be pushed out to the far suburbs or beyond.

I fear that my grandchildren, now eighteen and seventeen, will be forced to live at home for many years, live far outside the Denver metro area where there are few jobs, or live stuffed into an apartment, like sardines in a can, with many other roommates. No doubt like most young people, they will be forced to take minimum- or slightly higher-wage jobs, even if they have a college degree (which they will probably be deep in debt for). Republicans in Congress always scream at the idea of increasing the federal minimum wage (to even a paltry $10 per hour), and labor unions, unfortunately, have very little power to help improve wages these days.

The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and much of the middle class is disappearing. Capitalism has outlived its usefulness in the U.S., folks. It's time for socialism.
Carol Carpenter
Denver

Don't like it? Don't pay it. This isn't Russia.
Erik Johnsen
Posted on Facebook

It's too high and getting higher. Pretty soon I might have to think about relocating.
Rae Bear
Posted on Facebook

It's just going to be a city with nothing but rich, entitled douchebags with no culture.
Heather Doozer
Posted on Facebook

When the household income for either a single or family is less than $2,000 a month, then $1,000 to $1,200 a month is is difficult. I think the broader point of the story shows the division of society on all points of everyday lives, whether it be racial, political, religious, or where you stand when it comes to money.

We all pass by each other on the road or in the grocery store, and a lot of us have a hard time getting by. You can only dream of getting ahead.
Jame Koopman
Posted on Facebook

Editor's note: For many more comments on the soaring cost of rentals in Denver, go to the online version of "Rental Health" at westword.com.