Denver City Council recently greenlit $33 million in contracts for San Francisco-based nonprofit Urban Alchemy to operate The Aspen homeless shelter and provide "community ambassador" services. The deal, pushed by former Urban Alchemy executive Jeff Kositsky—now a city deputy director—comes amid scrutiny over CEO Lena Miller's $370K salary, first-class business travel perks, and the organization's rapid expansion fueled by government contracts. Critics highlight potential conflicts of interest and past allegations of mismanagement, while supporters tout its workforce programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. The move replaces The Salvation Army and underscores Denver's ongoing $1B+ push to address homelessness.
Folks, this is peak progressive grift in action—Denver taxpayers footing a $33 million bill for a San Francisco outfit where the CEO jets first-class on our dime while pulling down nearly $370K a year. Lena Miller's not out there sleeping on sidewalks; she's cashing fat checks from "nonprofits" that sound more like luxury consultancies than charity. And don't get me started on Jeff Kositsky: the guy jumps from Urban Alchemy's payroll (at $198K, no less) straight to a cushy city gig, then strong-arms the council into handing his old crew the keys to The Aspen shelter. "Approve it or shut it down," he warns? Sounds like a classic revolving door—government insiders trading public service for private payday.
Look, conservatives have been saying it for years: bloated bureaucracies and feel-good nonprofits aren't solving homelessness; they're perpetuating it. Denver's blown over a billion on this crisis already, yet tents line the streets because we're throwing money at symptoms instead of enforcing laws, promoting personal responsibility, and cutting the red tape that blocks real housing development. Urban Alchemy brags about hiring ex-cons at $21/hour—noble, sure—but 91% of their budget on "programs" while execs live large? That's not compassion; that's crony capitalism dressed in social justice drag.
Time to slam the brakes: Audit these contracts, ban first-class fleecing on the taxpayer tab, and demand transparency before another dime flows. Better yet, empower local faith-based groups like The Salvation Army, who actually deliver without the scandals. Denver deserves tough love, not this endless cycle of elite enrichment.