Protect public art from vandals. Keep it indoors.
Having a public art program in Denver which uses a developer’s tax to fund artists to create works of art in public spaces around the city is a great thing.
Having those same works of art defaced by gangs who “mark” them with their “signs” is horrible.
So until these gangs can be prevented from doing their thing, we should not be placing new public art works in places where they are sure to be defaced.
That, unfortunately, means in our public parks, particularly along Denver’s wonderful Cherry Creek hike and bike trail.
Murals on walls along this trail have been ravaged from Confluence Park to Colorado Boulevard, especially the huge mural across the creek from Cherry Creek Mall.
Yet the Denver Arts & Venues agency continues to offer the Public Arts Program a free pass to commission new murals and other works of art on its property, as if gang markings would not inevitably follow.
There are plenty of indoor locations in our city where public art works will be safe. Let’s use them rather than ask for more trouble by placing new murals in our unprotected public parks!
Nathan Edelson, Denver
Sen. Bennet’s support crucial for Alzheimer’s patients
At a time when nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 90,800 people here in Colorado, prioritizing how this devastating disease is addressed remains a critical issue for our country. Much progress has been made in the fight against Alzheimer’s over the last decade thanks in large part to Congress passing the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act, and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
These laws were set to expire Dec. 31, so updating these important pieces of legislation was urgently needed by people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado in thanking Sen. Michael Bennet for cosponsoring all three of these vital pieces of legislation. They have all passed and are now law! The BOLD Act has made it possible for our state to have an Alzheimer’s and dementia plan which is being stewarded by the Colorado Department of Health. Sen. Bennet, I appreciate your ongoing support for this cause which affects so many Coloradans!
Jana Jordan, Denvers
Editor’s note: Jordan is a dementia caregiver and volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter.
How to teach and learn
We don’t teach; people learn. Our children’s world is different from ours. Present the facts. Listen to their discussions. Encourage their exploration. Don’t teach answers. Teach questions.
David L. Stevenson, Denver
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