Caring for Denver under fire for questionable taxpayer spending and lack of transparency
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The mental health nonprofit Caring for Denver faces mounting questions about why it gave millions in tax dollars to organizations including one led by a felon and others by people without experience in providing mental, behavioral or drug addiction resources.
Why it matters: The initiative — funded by a 25-cent sales tax on a $100 purchase — provides few details about how it distributes money and whether it improves the city's mental health care crisis, according to a Colorado Public Radio investigation.
State of play: Caring for Denver has spent $170 million in tax dollars over its six-year existence and issued more than 450 grants to more than 200 organizations from 2020 to 2023.
- Much of the money was sent to organizations with a lengthy history of providing mental health and drug addiction services, but millions more were funneled to questionable organizations, including some located outside the city.
- Others have no background in mental health and drug addiction services and no licensed counselors.
- Some programs test unproven methods, such as art therapy for pregnant women or youth podcasting.
What they're saying: "This is disturbing information for me," Denver Auditor Timothy O'Brien told CPR about its findings. "The oversight of the grants and contracts is poor, at best."
The big picture: When voters approved a dedicated tax for the nonprofit in 2018, the campaign vowed to "end overdose" deaths and provide help to "everybody who needs help." It won with 70% of the vote.
Yes, but: Mental health care in Denver has grown worse and harder to access in recent years, even as other counties make progress.
The other side: Leslie Herod, an outgoing state lawmaker who leads the nonprofit's board, and the organization's allies argue Caring for Denver is making a difference.
- "People's lives are being saved because of the investment in mental health and substance misuse services in Denver," Herod told CPR. "We are the model."
Between the lines: The organization reported in 2023 that it served nearly 1 in 7 Denver residents, but the claim is difficult to confirm.
- Caring for Denver refused to provide information to support the assertion and said it believes much of its material is exempt from open records laws, CPR found.
- Board members told the radio station they were unaware of the misstatements on grant applications or criminal backgrounds of those who received money.
The intrigue: Millions are being sent to organizations led by people with criminal records, including one anti-violence nonprofit that received nearly $500,000 despite its executive director's history of alleged domestic violence, CPR wrote. The director, Lumumba Sayers, is now in jail awaiting trial for first-degree murder.
- $2.7 million in taxpayer dollars went to sober living facilities led by a mixed martial arts fighter with a violent criminal record.
- $1.2 million has gone to a Denver organization that bought a mountain retreat and sponsors cultural events but has no licensed mental health on its payroll.
What's next: Caring for Denver's contract with the city to administer the fund is up for renewal. It was on the agenda for City Council consideration Monday but removed after CPR published its report.