Elevated Denver

In this second episode of our special series, we sit down again with Gwen Battis, Program Manager for the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP), to explore what guaranteed income can mean for the future of Denver, and the country. We dig into: The civil rights roots of guaranteed income Why cash offers dignity, choice, and real agency How DBIP became the first major pilot studying direct cash for peo...

In this special two-part series, we explore one of the most talked-about ideas in the national conversation on poverty and homelessness: basic income. This episode features Gwen Battis, Project Manager at the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) about what happens when we trust people, and give them the financial foundation they need to rebuild their lives. Gwen talks about DBIP's upcoming documenta...

In the final episode of our special series on the Collaboratory and solutions to homelessness, we dive into the transformative solution that emerged from our work: Resource Connection Hubs . These Hubs, designed by those with lived experience, aim to address a critical gap in the homelessness response system—helping people find the resources they need before they experience homelessness or fall in...

In this special episode we take a deep dive into why homelessness is a systemic issue—one driven by decades of policy decisions, economic shifts, and social inequities rather than individual choices. We hear from Don Burnes, co-founder of the Burnes Institute for Poverty Research at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy. From deinstitutionalization and urban renewal to the failures of the housing...

Homelessness isn’t inevitable—it’s a failure of systems, not people. In this special three-part podcast series, we take you behind the scenes of Elevated Denver’s Collaboratory , where lived experts, service providers, policymakers, and business leaders came together to co-design solutions to systemic breakdowns. In Episode 1 , we introduce the Collaboratory model —a groundbreaking approach center...

Welcome to a special series of the Elevated Denver Podcast! In this teaser episode, we’re giving you a glimpse into the incredible journey of the Elevated Denver Collaboratory . Between May and August 2024, ten individuals—including lived experts, service providers, government leaders, and business professionals—came together to tackle a critical challenge: helping people experiencing housing inse...

In this special bonus episode of the Elevated Denver Podcast, we interview Don Burns and Kevin F. Adler, co-authors of the book "When We Walk By," a profound exploration of America's homelessness crisis. Kevin, an award-winning social entrepreneur and Founder of Miracle Messages, and Don, an expert on homelessness, discuss the book's focus on both the policy and human perspectives of homelessness,...

In this episode, the last of the season, we dig into the housing and homelessness system, as well as the other systems that intersect homelessness. We also dive into the many factors that are contributing to our current homelessness crisis, highlighting a few of the stories you have heard through the season. We touch on the wage-cost of living disparity, the cliff effect, racial disparities, and t...

In this compelling episode, we delve into Cuica Montoya's inspiring journey from her early life in central Denver to her personal battle with loss, homelessness, and healing, culminating in her remarkable leadership of the Safe Outdoor Spaces (SOS) program. We explore how SOS offers shelter, hygiene services, and crucial support for people facing homelessness. We also hear from Randall, a resident...

In this episode, we delve into the critical issue of veteran homelessness, sharing the compelling stories of two veterans, Ben and Dustin. They highlight the challenges veterans face, such as health issues, wrongful terminations, and the difficulties in obtaining disability benefits. The episode explores the Built for Zero initiative from Community Solutions, emphasizing its data-driven and person...

In this episode, we explore a heartrending but essential topic – end-of-life care for Denver's unhoused population. These individuals, often living on the streets, face unique challenges in accessing hospice and palliative care. The spotlight shines on the remarkable work of Rocky Mountain Refuge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing dignified hospice services to the unhoused. Learn abo...

Evictions are a topic many people are talking about. As an organization focused on solutions, we believe in prevention, and we wanted to dive in and learn more about evictions in our community. We talked to people on all sides of evictions--tenants who have direct experience, landlords, and organizations trying to support people staying housed. What we learned surprised us. There are multiple step...

Elevated Denver hosted a live podcast recording, featuring Goodr Grocer , an innovative program that is providing free grocery stores at local schools by developing technology and logistics to track surplus food from pickup to donation, delivering real-time social and environmental impact. Senator James Coleman sat down with us and the Founder & CEO of Goodr Grocer, Jasmine Crowe-Houston, to t...

In this episode of the Elevated Denver Podcast, the focus is on the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP), which aims to provide direct cash contributions to individuals experiencing homelessness. Lorinda Gill, a DBIP participant, shares her journey of wrongful eviction and moving around to resolve her situation. Dr. Katie Calhoun explains the research methods used in the DBIP's randomized controlled...

In this episode we interviewed Lucky, a resident of the Safe Outdoor Space run by Colorado Village Collaborative . Lucky describes his journey into houselessness, struggling with epilepsy and job loss, and his plans for the future. He shares why he chose the name “Lucky” and how he developed community during his time living in the S.O.S.Help us cross the finish line with Season 2 by donating to ou...

In this episode, we delve into the critical issue of housing instability faced by hardworking individuals who are often overlooked in our community. Many individuals work diligently, both salaried and waged jobs, yet find themselves unable to make ends meet in an increasingly unaffordable housing market. We explore the concept of self-sufficiency and the income levels needed to maintain stable liv...

In this episode, we dive into a hidden population of people you would never imagine are unhoused: college students. We talk to Luis, Lena and Frankie, who share their experiences working towards degrees while living in their car, in a motel room with their mom, and in a cramped apartment with several others. Dr. Jamie Rife, from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative shares data about homelessness i...

When you live outside, there is no place to put your trash. It can build up and be an eye sore, but what happens when we remove the people living outside, along with the trash? In 2012, Denver residents voted in the Urban Camping Ban and since that time, the City has been implementing sweeps or encampment "clean ups." In this episode, we explore sweeps--what happens during a sweep and how people f...

We are a quarter of the season in, and we wanted to give you a very brief update on the podcast and our work. We are incorporating a new format, that will allow us to dig deeper into some of the most pressing topics around homelessness, like encampments, hidden populations of the unhoused, and bright spots in the system. We are also bringing you an episode from our friends at City Cast Denver, who...

The Elevated Denver team is bringing you an extra special, time-sensitive episode. In Denver, we are in a runoff Mayoral election, with ballots due on June 6th. We spoke with each candidate -- Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston -- specifically focusing on housing and homelessness in Denver. Our Peer Producer, Myra, who shared her story of homelessness in Season 1, Episode 2, interviewed Kelly & Mi...

In this episode, Juan Escobedo, mental health specialist and Program Officer for the Caring for Denver Foundation , brings his deep knowledge of trauma and educates us on what trauma is, how it can manifest in our bodies and behaviors, and how trauma relates to homelessness. It is a powerful episode you don't want to miss. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Mead & Hunt , a nati...

In this episode, Walter shares his experience going to prison, becoming a minister, and leaving the criminal justice system homeless and unable to get hired because of his criminal record. Walter was unhoused with the COVID-19 pandemic began, and ended up living in the Coliseum with 800 other men. It was there that the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless found Walter and enrolled him in the Social...

This episode brings us David's story. David shares about his challenges growing up, how those caused him to initially become unhoused, and his journey since then. He opens our eyes to what it feels like to be unhoused, what community means, and challenges us to listen to the many voices of the unhoused. This episode is supported by Don and Lynn Burnes, of the Burnes Institute for Poverty Research....

Episode 1 pulls in highlights from Season 1 and gives a preview for what is to come in Season 2. Hear from local experts on homelessness and from neighbors who have experienced homelessness. Learn more about the podcast, this season's sponsors, and the work of Elevated Denver at elevateddenver.co .

Tune in for another season of the Elevated Denver podcast.