It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Daniels & Fisher gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Denver, CO is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Our thanks to ABC for the wonderful nursing care and general management and coordination”
“Amazing customer service and follow up regarding services for my mother-in-law”
“I'm sending this thank u to thank you, not only for being the best company”
“Thank you to all the caregivers who took care of our mom. We are forever”
“I am deeply grateful for the love and support you have shown me during this”
“Thank you for the wonderful care you have provided, specifically Simone, for my mom the”
“Thank you so much for the coordination of our parents care. Your loveliness and dedication”
“I didn't think they could do better than I could on my own. They found”
“I have referred my families to Always Best Care and they have been very happy”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing”
“Thank you so much for coming by to visit our community with the Always Best”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing”
“To Always Best Care Giver Cynthia C. H., “Thank you for taking the time to”
“I can't find Sarah S, Alyssa, Paula, and the rest of the teams direct emails”
“Our care giver Evelyn L. was wonderful, and such a great help to our family.”
“I recommend the services of Always Best Care. The several months I have employed Always”
“HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! If you or anyone in your family is looking for quality, sincere care”
“To ABC Care Giver Autumn W., we adore you and your caring heart is noticed”
“My husband had a bad fall that resulted in two pelvic fractures and a fractured”
“ABC was so responsive and made it very easy to set up care. They worked”
“The response time and options for the care of my 101 year old father have”
“It was great working with Nancy, she went the extra mile helping us find the”
“Always Best Care helped our family find just the right place for my mother-in-law. Nancy”
“Thank you very much for your kind words and thank you so much to you”
“Hiring a service from a distance is extremely stressful. Just speaking with them on the”
“Our thanks to ABC for the wonderful nursing care and general management and coordination”
“Amazing customer service and follow up regarding services for my mother-in-law”
“I'm sending this thank u to thank you, not only for being the best company I hold dear but being so individually beautiful!!! You're always the best care!!!!!”
“Thank you to all the caregivers who took care of our mom. We are forever grateful for your kindness towards our mom when we couldn't be there because of covid”
“I am deeply grateful for the love and support you have shown me during this difficult time, especially by sending me beautiful flowers. Thank you so much for your love and sympathy”
“Thank you for the wonderful care you have provided, specifically Simone, for my mom the last 4 years. We couldn't have done this without Simone's assistance. She is truly an angel!!”
“Thank you so much for the coordination of our parents care. Your loveliness and dedication made our parents lives so much better. We are very happy that ABC did every thing possible to let their home run smoothly. We appreciate all the efforts and especially your positive spirit”
“I didn't think they could do better than I could on my own. They found a much better, more beautiful place at a much better price for my mom. HUGE THANKS TO NANCY FOR HER HELP !!!!”
“I have referred my families to Always Best Care and they have been very happy with the service and the care staff that come into their homes. I was recently talking to a nurse who owns a Home Health company and asked her who she liked to use for home care. She said Always Best Care in Lakewood never lets me down. They always show up and give good care! There are so many home care companies out there it can be overwhelming. If you are trying to chose which home care company to go with, I highly recommend Always Best Care in Lakewood.”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing caring services to their clients.”
“Thank you so much for coming by to visit our community with the Always Best Care fun wheel! I can tell you it really was a nice morale boost for our associates! Nancy, everyone on our team who worked with you and Always Best Care for our Memory Care resident who needed overnight care was so complimentary of how kind and helpful you were in coordinating care for her. Thank you for all your help.”
“I had a wonderful experience working with the company. Very helpful and dedicated to providing caring services to their clients.”
“To Always Best Care Giver Cynthia C. H., “Thank you for taking the time to celebrate Carolyn’s Birthday, and making her feel so important and loved. Hats off to you.”
“I can't find Sarah S, Alyssa, Paula, and the rest of the teams direct emails so please pass on my appreciation and gratitude for them too! Thank you so much for the shout out!! I love reading the newsletter and had no idea I was going to be in it so it was a wonderful surprise! I love this job and I hope I can help out more in the near future instead of just every weekend. Thank you again and I love being part of the Always Best team :) Thank you!”
“Our care giver Evelyn L. was wonderful, and such a great help to our family.”
“I recommend the services of Always Best Care. The several months I have employed Always Best Care have been very satisfying. The services they have provided for an elderly Alzheimer’s patient has been exceptional. One of the most satisfying aspects of their service is their reliability. They show up, on time , with enthusiasm, and know the patient before entering the home. Also, the scheduling and support staff is accommodating, helpful, and friendly. Anyone that needs help with an elderly Alzheimer’s patient should consider employing Always Best Care. Sincerely, Michael Iverson”
“HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! If you or anyone in your family is looking for quality, sincere care for yourself or a loved one look no further. Always best care has the sweetest caregivers who go through an intense training course so they know for sure how well they do in certain environments. Erin the owner is the sweetest darn person who has a heart of gold who treats her employees very good so they can focus on doing their job right and enjoy doing it. I have been around the caregiving industry since 2013 and this is by far the best company I have yet seen. Trust me they won’t let you down!!!!!!!”
“To ABC Care Giver Autumn W., we adore you and your caring heart is noticed by our family. We all thank you.”
“My husband had a bad fall that resulted in two pelvic fractures and a fractured rib. Fortunately, there was no need for surgery but unfortunately, he was going to be immobile and in a great deal of pain. He was very nervous about my ability to be able to handle him so he requested that we look into very short-term ( one week) home health care when first coming home. Not knowing when he would be released from the hospital I was in my own panic about setting up the care so quickly. With he help of Nancy -a key administrator, I was able to get set up immediately even when I was unsure of exactly when to start. I was guided through the process. When I had to delay one day-no problem. The care giver who was sent to us, Evelyn was terrific-personable and willing to help in anyway requested. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“ABC was so responsive and made it very easy to set up care. They worked closely with our Hospice team as well if we needed them to. They were respectful and kind to our Mom. Only thing I would change is having them be able to administer meds. Definitely recommend them though!”
“The response time and options for the care of my 101 year old father have been exceptional. I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone who needs assistance and/or guidance in the care of their elderly loved ones. Dan Anderson”
“It was great working with Nancy, she went the extra mile helping us find the right place for our Mom.”
“Always Best Care helped our family find just the right place for my mother-in-law. Nancy Hemming knows exactly what questions to ask in order to assess each situation and she does so with professionalism, kindness and compassion. Nancy was our shepherd through the overwhelming landscape of assisted living placement and insurance. We highly recommend Always Best Care. You will find their service to be of the highest quality!”
“Thank you very much for your kind words and thank you so much to you and your staff for taking such good care of my mother. It was a big comfort to me to know she was in capable and caring hands.”
“Hiring a service from a distance is extremely stressful. Just speaking with them on the phone took away any scary thoughts I had. Professional, but what mattered most was their kindness and understanding ! thank you Nancy and Veronka !”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Washington Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Mizuna or visit Molly Brown House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Denver, CO, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Denver, CO understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Denver, CO 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
DENVER — The Colorado Attorney General's Office is offering $50,000 to school districts that create a policy restricting phone usage in classrooms.Smartphones can have many negative impacts on teenagers — stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation and depression. They can also be a distraction in class.A Pew Research Center study found that 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom."One of the challenges we have for young people is they are on their phones, on...
DENVER — The Colorado Attorney General's Office is offering $50,000 to school districts that create a policy restricting phone usage in classrooms.
Smartphones can have many negative impacts on teenagers — stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation and depression. They can also be a distraction in class.
A Pew Research Center study found that 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
"One of the challenges we have for young people is they are on their phones, on social media apps, all the time, and it's making them feel worse. That includes in schools," said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. "We want schools to think carefully. What's your plan? Are you allowing these phones to interfere with the learning environment? Allowing students to create drama and harm themselves and basically not be their best selves? That's why we're asking schools to think creatively, and we have $50,000 per school district to do better than we're doing now."
The state will provide $50,000 to each school district in order to enact a plan. The AG's office said the funding comes from the nearly $32 million settlement it received from Juul after an investigation found the vape maker targeted young people in its marketing and misrepresented the health risks of their products.
Weiser said there is proof out on the West Slope that this can work.
Mesa County Valley School District 51 enacted a new phone policy this school year. Students in kindergarten through 8th grade are not allowed to have personal devices at school during the school day. Those in 9th through 12th grade are prohibited from using devices during instructional time but may use them between classes and during lunch, though that is also discouraged.
Superintendent Brian Hill said the policy is working well so far.
"The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. And that's not just from families and staff but also hearing directly from students. They're just reporting that kids are paying more attention in class. They're actually socializing more with one another," said Hill.
Feedback heard nationally when discussing the removal of phones from classrooms is a concern that parents will not be able to communicate with their children during a lockdown or school emergency. Denver7 spoke with students with those same concerns.
"I think that part of the problem with banning smartphones is that students don't really feel safe in school, and communicating with family if there ever is an issue is a part of the anxiety," said Grace Taub, a senior at Denver's East High School.
Hill said schools still have landlines so parents can always get in touch with their students. He argues that smartphones don't really help in an emergency.
"We've been really clear that in those situations, safety and security experts actually don't want our child on the phone. They want your child paying attention to the adult in the room. They don't want them spreading potential misinformation," said Hill.
Could this grant program help students focus in class again and get them out from under the weight of their phones? Weiser said something has to.
"I know that too many people are spending too much time distracted by their phones, not having interpersonal relationships, not concentrating on school. I am afraid about our future right now," Weiser said. "By controlling when these phones are interfering with learning, giving people a break from them, we're helping our young people have a better chance to succeed."
The Colorado Attorney General's Office is gauging school district interest in the program. It expects to start distributing grant money early next year.
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State lawsuit one of several legal proceedings challenging $24.6B dealA four-week trial over the proposed $24.6 billion merger of Colorado’s two largest grocery chains wrapped up in Denver on Thursday, setting the stage for a state court ruling in the coming weeks that could have implications nationwide.Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February sued to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. W...
A four-week trial over the proposed $24.6 billion merger of Colorado’s two largest grocery chains wrapped up in Denver on Thursday, setting the stage for a state court ruling in the coming weeks that could have implications nationwide.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February sued to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. Weiser’s lawsuit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would inflict “substantial harm” on Colorado consumers and workers.
During closing arguments before Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen, attorneys for Kroger and Albertsons continued to assert that the merger was the only way their companies could effectively compete with larger big-box retailers that have expanded into the grocery market. The deal, argued Kroger attorney Matt Wolf, would mean “lower prices, higher pay for union and non-union associates alike, and cleaner, better-stocked stores (for) hundreds of thousands of Coloradans.”
“While Walmart and Costco and Amazon might be pleased with the state’s efforts today, grocery shoppers in Colorado will pay more and get less if the state has its way,” Wolf said.
Kroger, which is based in Ohio and operates more than 2,700 grocery stores nationwide, first announced plans in 2022 to acquire the Idaho-based Albertsons, which operates more than 2,200 locations. One of the largest retail mergers ever proposed, the deal has been staunchly opposed by labor unions and consumer advocates who fear that the consolidation could lead to higher prices and decreased wages and bargaining power for workers.
Both sides spent hours on Thursday casting doubt on the research, economic models and expert witnesses cited by the other during nearly a month of trial testimony, and accusing each other of lacking common sense about about the likely implications of the proposed deal.
Much of the dispute revolves around a divestiture plan announced by the companies in an effort to allay antitrust concerns. Under the plan, Kroger and Albertsons would sell 579 locations — including 91 Safeway stores in Colorado — to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Though an established wholesaler, C&S currently operates just 23 grocery stores nationwide, and critics of the deal paint the company as wholly unprepared to compete in the retail grocery market. It would be a repeat, they say, of the divestiture of 168 stores to the small grocery chain Haggen as part of the 2015 merger between Albertsons and Safeway. Haggen quickly went bankrupt, and the divested locations were either reacquired by Albertsons or closed.
Arthur Biller, an attorney for the state, called C&S an “objectively smaller and worse competitor” for the merged Kroger-Albertsons giant, and cited expert testimony suggesting that at least 30 and potentially as many as 85 of the 91 divested Safeway stores in Colorado would be at risk of closure if the deal goes through.
“It is in Kroger’s interest to have the weakest possible divestiture plan,” he said. “And that’s what this merger is about. It’s not about Amazon or Costco. It’s about eliminating Albertsons. … They get to take Albertsons out of the market and replace it with a far inferior competitor.”
Weiser’s lawsuit followed a yearlong investigation and more than a dozen listening sessions held in communities across the state. The state’s concerns about the impact of the merger are particularly acute, officials say, when it comes to mountain towns and other rural communities with few options for grocery shopping.
“What happens to the folks living in places like Gunnison, Alamosa, Cortez, Montrose, Delta — what happens to them when C&S decides they need to raise prices at the Safeways they own?” Biller asked Thursday. “What happens when C&S decides those stores are unprofitable?”
Alongside disputes about the possible future effects of the merger, parts of the lengthy trial focused on what the state alleges was prior anticompetitive behavior by Kroger and Albertsons uncovered as a result of Weiser’s antitrust investigation.
That included internal references by Kroger management to a “mountain no-comp” zone, where prices were raised at stores in communities where they had little to no competition, including Breckenridge, Eagle, Granby and New Castle. While Kroger attributed those price increases to higher transportation and labor costs in those communities, Biller said that evidence and trial testimony made clear that wasn’t the case.
“Whatever those costs are, Kroger’s other City Market stores in the mountains face the same costs,” Biller said. “Costs to deliver goods to places like Vail and Gunnison are also high, but stores in those locations face competition from other supermarkets, and they were not selected as ‘mountain no-comp’ stores.”
Weiser’s lawsuit also alleges a separate antitrust violation in relation what it calls an unlawful “no-poach agreement” between Kroger and Albertsons during a 2022 strike of King Soopers stores by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7.
Emails show that at the time, Albertstons’ senior vice president of labor relations, in response to a communication from his counterpart at Kroger, committed not to hire any King Soopers employees or solicit King Soopers pharmacy customers.
Wolf, who said that Kroger “take(s) seriously our obligations under the labor laws,” argued that the communication did not represent an agreement or “quid pro quo,” characterizing it instead as an attempt by the two companies to understand each other’s intent.
“That’s all my client did — asked Albertsons, ‘This is what your folks are doing. This is what our folks are doing. What is your intent?’” he said. “That is not an unlawful question. Responding to that question is not unlawful. That is not an agreement.”
Parties in the case are due to file their proposed findings by Nov. 7, after which Luxen will issue his ruling. Separate antitrust proceedings are underway in Washington State and in U.S. District Court in a case brought by the Federal Trade Commission.
In a press release Thursday, UFCW Local 7 praised the “excellent work” of Weiser’s office in taking up the case, and reiterated their fears about the “obvious threat (the merger) poses to workers and shoppers across the nation and at home here in Colorado.”
“Instead of wasting more time and more money on this bad idea, these companies should be investing in better stores and better staffing to improve the experience of workers and shoppers alike,” said UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova. “We hope that AG Weiser’s case is successful in blocking this mega-merger.”
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No advisories are currently in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor from Douglas County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Fort Collins and Greeley.For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspxAt 10AM (MST), Sunday, 10/6/2024 the highest AQI value was 73 for Particulate less than 10 micrometers which i...
No advisories are currently in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor from Douglas County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Fort Collins and Greeley.
For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx
At 10AM (MST), Sunday, 10/6/2024 the highest AQI value was 73 for Particulate less than 10 micrometers which indicates Moderate air quality. Respiratory symptoms possible in unusually sensitive individuals, possible aggravation of heart or lung disease in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council's Summer 2024 Ozone Action Day Alert Program has concluded. The winter High Pollution Advisory Program begins on November 1. Air Quality Action Days or advisories for ozone for other pollutants, however, will be issued as needed at any time during the year and reported on this web page.
The Air Pollution Control Division's Winter 2024/2025 High Pollution Advisory Program will begin November 1. Thank you for your interest in and support for efforts to improve air quality for the citizens of the Denver- metro area.
| Front Range Air Quality Forecast |
| FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST: Friday, October 4, 2024, 1:50 PM MDT Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range Friday through Tuesday. Moderate concentrations of ozone are most likely for locations in and near the Denver Metro area. Please see Fine Particulate Matter below for health recommendations. Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range Friday through Tuesday. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Friday. Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category Friday through Tuesday. Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category Friday through Tuesday. Visibility is expected to be Moderate to Poor Saturday through Tuesday. |
| Additional Information |
WHAT IS AN ACTION DAY?: An Action Day for fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone or other pollutants indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days always convey overarching public health recommendations, and, according to season, trigger a variety of mandatory and voluntary pollution prevention measures. For example, during the summer open burning is prohibited when an Action Day for ozone and/or fine particulates is in effect. During the winter, residential burning restrictions are in effect when an Action Day for Visibility is in effect.
For a detailed description of both the AIR QUALITY INDEX and the VISIBILITY STANDARD INDEX please visit https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/brochure.aspx
COLORADO OPEN BURN FORECAST: For those with permits for open burning, that is the burning of waste materials or vegetation outside, check the following webpage to find out if open burning is allowed today. Keep in mind that open burning is prohibited when an Action Day is in effect: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/burn_forecast.aspx
FOR CURRENT FRONT RANGE ACTION DAYS/ADVISORIES: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx
FOR CURRENT AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS STATEWIDE: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/air_quality.aspx
SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd https://twitter.com/cdpheapcd
AIR QUALITY NOTIFICATIONS:https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/request_alerts.aspx(CDPHE automated e-mail alerts)http://www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm(CDPHE forecasts via automated e-mails from the EPA)
| Winter High Pollution Advisory Program |
The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Winter season air pollution forecasts are issued daily from October 31 through March 31 at 4 p.m. When conditions warrant, forecasts will include information about Action Days and subsequent indoor burning restrictions.
An Action Day for fine particulates, carbon monoxide or ozone indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only, voluntary driving reductions, and public health recommendations.
An Action Day for Visibility alone indicates that the Visibility Standard Index for visual air quality is expected to be poor on the current or following day. An Action Day for Visibility will trigger mandatory restrictions on indoor burning and voluntary driving reductions for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area only.
When no advisories are issued, air quality is good or moderate and is expected to remain so during the effective period of the forecast. No restrictions are in place.
| Summer Ozone Program |
Ground-level ozone is an air pollution problem that impacts the health of all Coloradans. Exposure can cause acute respiratory problems and trigger asthma attacks. During Ozone Action Alerts, avoid rigorous outdoor activity during the heat of the day. Prolonged exposure can cause long-lasting damage to your lungs.
You CAN make a difference by doing your part to improve air quality along Denver's Front Range. Even during periods of wildfire smoke, reducing your personal emissions can help decrease ozone production. Combining or skipping just two car trips a week has a positive impact on our air quality. Find other easy solutions that fit your lifestyle from Simple Steps. Better Air. (http://www.SimpleStepsBetterAir.org), a program of the Regional Air Quality Council.
By Christen Aldridge, Special to DenveriteWhile Halloween is next Thursday, Halloweekend is in full swing.From trunk or treats to extra-costumed drag shows to a good ol' fashioned corn maze, the autumnal and scary festivities abound in the Denver metro.Other happenings include exhibitions about Denver's Chinatown, a Nuggets game and the Miss Black Colorado pageant.Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually or outdoors.Friday, Oct. 25Arts, culture...
By Christen Aldridge, Special to Denverite
While Halloween is next Thursday, Halloweekend is in full swing.
From trunk or treats to extra-costumed drag shows to a good ol' fashioned corn maze, the autumnal and scary festivities abound in the Denver metro.
Other happenings include exhibitions about Denver's Chinatown, a Nuggets game and the Miss Black Colorado pageant.
Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually or outdoors.
*Día de los Muertos: Remembering our Ancestors Through Art. Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver. Free. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Older Adults Exclusive- Mask Painting!. Hampden Branch Library, 9755 E. Girard Ave., Denver. 3-4:30 p.m. Adults 50+ only.
Untitled: Artist Takeover. The Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver. 6-10 p.m. $22.
Little University Art Studio: Pumpkin Tape Resist Painting. Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Branch Library. 1498 N. Irving St., Denver. 10:30-11 a.m. Free.
Teentober: Mini Book Cover Creation Lab. Decker Branch Library, 1501 S. Logan St., Denver. 3-4:30 p.m. Free.
*Mile High Trunk or Treat. Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver. 5-9 p.m. All Ages. Free.
Bones, Bats, Boo! Halloween Family Overnight. Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. 6 p.m. - 8 a.m. Non-member: $120 adults, $110 youth. Member: $100 adults, $90 youth.
Sugar Skull Painting, Sipping and Tacos! Refresh Studios, 950 Jersey St., Denver. Friday 7-9:30 p.m. $60.
Victorian Horrors Stories. Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver. 6-9 p.m. $30.
Adam Friedland. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7.15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows. $25-30.
Disney in Concert: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Boettcher Concert Hall Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1000 14th St., Denver. 7:30-10 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$103.
Drag Nation: Queen of the Dolls. ReelWorks Denver, 1399 35th St., Denver. 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Tickets start at $20.
Denver Paranormal Research Society. Virginia Village Branch Library, 1500 S. Dahlia St., Denver. 2-3 p.m. Free.
Trunk or Treat Halloween Party!. Autism Community Store, 14095 E. Exposition Ave., Aurora. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
*Trick or Treat on Tennyson Street. Tennyson Street Cultural Arts District. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
*Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade: A Spooktacular Event for You and Your Furry Friends! Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. Denver. 3 p.m. Free
The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Grateful Dead + More for Kids. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. 11:30 a.m. All Ages. $28.82. Kids under 1 are free.
The Dinner Detective Halloween Costume Show. Embassy Suites Denver Downtown, 1420 Stout St., Denver. 6-9 p.m. $72.95.
Adam Friedland. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7.15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows. $25-30.
Nuggets vs. Clippers. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver. 3 p.m. Tickets start at $37.
Miss Black Colorado USA 2025 Pageant. Museum for Black Girls, 500 16th Street Mall #262, Denver. 1:15-4 p.m. $55
American Indian Winter Storytelling - Spooky Legends. The Fort, 19192 Hwy. 8, Morrison. 4-5 p.m.
National American Beer Day at The Post Chicken & Beer. The Post Chicken and Beer, 2027 13th St. Boulder. 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Sugar Skull Painting, Sipping and Tacos! Refresh Studios, 950 Jersey St., Denver. 2-4:30 pm. $60.
*Broncos vs. Panthers. Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver. 12:30 p.m. Ticket start at $60.
*Shaq's Bass All-Stars: Red Rocks. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison. 6:00 pm. Tickets start at $74.86.
Dia De Los Muertos By Chef Richard Sandoval. Toro By Chef Richard Sandoval, 150 Clayton Lane, Denver. Restaurant hours vary.
*Corn Maze. Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For non-members: $18 adults; $16 seniors; $12 children. For members: $16 adults, $14 seniors, $10 children (ages 3-15). Kids 2 and younger free.
Boo at the Zoo. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, 2300 Steele St., Denver. Select time slots remain. Adults and seniors $28. Kids ages 3-15 $21. Age 2 and under with candy bag $5. Age 2 and under with no candy bag are free.
Discovering Teen Rex. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members), $20.95 (ages 3-18), $22.95 (seniors 65 and older), $25.95 (adults). All ages.
Woven Memories: Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Special Deliveries. History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children and members), $5 (children), $15 (adults).
Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$35. All ages.
Movements Toward Freedom. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 7:30-10 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). Free-$14.
Where is Denver’s Chinatown? Stories Remembered, Reclaimed, Reimagined. History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Kids are free; $15 for adults.
13th Floor Haunted House. 13th Floor Denver, 3400 E. 52nd Ave. 7-9:45 p.m. Starting at $32.49. Advanced registration is required for timed entry.
*Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns. The Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. 7-10:45 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays), 7-9:45 p.m. (Sunday). $21.99 (kids ages 3-12), $26.99 (ages 13 and up).
A marijuana cultivation warehouse in Denver serving Green Dragon Dispensaries plans to close and lay off 59 people later this year.The changes come just after the building, at 830 Wyandot St. in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, sold to a Texas investor for $11.4 million. The closure does not appear to be related to the property’s sale....
A marijuana cultivation warehouse in Denver serving Green Dragon Dispensaries plans to close and lay off 59 people later this year.
The changes come just after the building, at 830 Wyandot St. in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, sold to a Texas investor for $11.4 million. The closure does not appear to be related to the property’s sale.
The DP Holdings Colorado LLC-owned marijuana grow facility is leased to the space for eight more years and hasn’t said anything about shutting down to its landlord, said building owner, Don Ball, of Bryan, Texas-based Kovak & Co.
“This is news to me,” Ball said when contacted Thursday. “This is the first I’m hearing of it, and not too happily.”
DP Holdings Colorado notified state labor officials it plans to close the grow house operation Dec. 31 and lay off 59 cultivation-related employees. The company filed the notice under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
Word of the closure comes amid changes and a recent foreclosure at Stachs LLC, the parent company to Green Dragon and Eaze Inc., a California-based cannabis delivery company.
Cory Azzalino, CEO at Eaze, posted on LinkedIn two weeks ago a copy of a letter that he sent employees in California that said Stachs LLC’s “assets had been foreclosed on by our lenders” and the business would be “winding down operations with a full closure expected to take place on or around December 31, 2024.”
The post alluded to the possibility of new ownership reopening Eaze. Azzalino wrote that he should know more by mid-November.
It’s not clear if reopening the DP Holdings Colorado growing facility is a possibility, too.
A call to an Eaze Inc. employee listed on the WARN Act notice filed in Colorado was not immediately returned Thursday.
The WARN Act notice filed by DP Holdings Colorado indicated the company was also informing the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7 union about the impending closure and layoffs. The union represents employees of the cultivation facility.
The union local will negotiate with Eaze owners to protect the Denver workers, said Mathew Shechter, general counsel to the UFCW Local 7. The company has also agreed to negotiate with UFCW local in California regarding Green Dragon and Eaze delivery employees in that state, he said.
Eaze has suggested to the union there's a possibility the grow facility will reopen, but the situation is unclear, Shechter said.
"We don't know if this is actually going to happen," he said, referring to layoffs. "But we do know [the facility] won't continue under Green Dragon ownership."
The Green Dragon dispensaries are highly regarded, Ball said, which is partly why he felt comfortable self-financing his purchase of the 830 Wyandot St. property that’s home to Green Dragon's main Colorado supply grow house. He called the equipment and setup in the building top-of-the-line and predicted that someone, if not the current owners, would want to reopen a cultivation operation in the building.
“I don’t see this going away,” Ball said.
He too had heard the Denver grow house closure is an outgrowth of the foreclosure and legal disputes between the former owners of the Colorado-born Green Dragon dispensaries and Silicon Valley investors who are backing Eaze Inc.
The Green Dragon founders, Lisa Leder, Andrew Levine and Alexander Levine, have sued Netscape founders James Clark and Thomas Jermoluk and others at Eaze claiming the Green Dragon founders were misled in a business deal merging the Green Dragon dispensary business with Eaze Inc., according to SFGate and other publications.
Leder recently sold the so-called Marijuana Mansion events venue in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood over the summer.
She held onto and remained owner of the adjacent carriage house property that's home of a Green Dragon Cannabis Co. Dispensary, of 15 the company operates in the region, Denver property records showed.
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The Marijuana Mansion, located at 1244 Grant St. Expand to read more
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