Reader: Quality of Life in Denver Isn't What It Used to Be Unless You're Rich

Housing costs is such a hot topic among our readership that comments on the subject pop up on posts that have little or nothing to do with it. The following comment, inspired by a list of the ten fittest U.S. cities and Denver's falling score, is a prime example. The...

By Michael Roberts

June 17, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Housing costs is such a hot topic among our readership that comments on the subject pop up on posts that have little or nothing to do with it.

The following comment, inspired by a list of the ten fittest U.S. cities and Denver's falling score, is a prime example.

The commenter discusses the impact on the average person of paying for a place to live, and he sees it as far-reaching.

Here's his take.

Robert Gauss writes:

I think that the cost of living may be driving some changes. Where people are spending 50, 60% and more of monthly gross on housing, be it rent or mortgage, there are going to be changes. The quality of life here is not what it used to be, unless you have a really good income. I see it all day long, stressed people. The average person in Denver is house poor. That is going to lead to a lot of changes.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts. For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo