In June 2016 a small group gathered in a glass‑walled coworking space in Denver’s Golden Triangle to launch the first edition of the Denverite newsletter. Ten years later the publication has mailed thousands of newsletters, published more than 18,000 articles and captured roughly 60,000 photographs, becoming a fixture of the city’s media landscape.
Memorable reporting that shaped public conversation
Denverite’s archives highlight several stories that resonated with residents. In 2017 photographer Erica Meltzer documented the impact of gentrification on North Denver, quoting a longtime resident who lamented the loss of community. Reporters Dave Sachs and Kevin Beaty mapped residents’ “mental maps” of the city, coining the term “Inverted L” to describe Denver’s distinctive geography. Rebecca Tauber later used that mapping theme to show how paramedics navigate the city without GPS.
Focus on homelessness and public safety
Long‑time writer Donna Bryson established a tradition of deep‑dive coverage on homelessness, zeroing in on specific locations and times. Kevin Beaty followed emergency squads for a day, illustrating how they have become an informal safety net for the city’s most vulnerable. Investigations have revealed cyclical growth in homeless sweeps, longstanding sexual‑assault allegations within the street‑art community, fire‑hazard conditions at the Crossroads shelter, and staffing concerns at the county jail.
Historical and cultural retrospectives
Kyle Harris traced Denver’s evolution as a welcoming place for immigrants, the decline of 16th Street, and the city’s budget trajectory over three decades. The “Street Weeks” series took readers into neighborhoods such as Colfax, 16th Street, Santa Fe, Brighton, Bruce Randall and Morrison, featuring colorful interviews—including an Elvis‑impersonator museum curator.
Human‑interest highlights
The newsroom has profiled a wide range of locals: the Nuggets’ unofficial barber, the anonymous artist behind an I‑70 mosaic, fathers redefining Black fatherhood, a cyclist who survived a life‑changing crash, the next generation of charros, and a couple noted for their perfect council‑meeting attendance record. Readers also helped name the women’s soccer team (the Cutthroats) and contributed ideas for quirky features like “Houseplant of the Week” during the pandemic and the Wu‑Tang Commemorative Gravel Pit.
Celebrating community support
Editor‑in‑chief thanks every reader, supporter and staff member who has made Denverite part of Denver’s fabric. The milestone is a reminder that local journalism thrives when the community engages, shares stories, and holds power accountable.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
