Health and safety officials cleared out and closed the Clear View Motel in Commerce City after deciding the residential facility was “unfit for human habitation.”
As many as 29 people — including two families with children — were displaced.
The motel, at 7750 Colorado 2, was a target of a city-county task force that found many of the 22 rooms had no heat or running water and were infested by bedbugs and cockroaches. Natural-gas and carbon-monoxide leaks were detected by building inspectors in several rooms, and Xcel Energy ordered all gas appliances turned off and all lines and appliances inspected.
A variety of agencies helped ousted residents find new shelter after the Monday closure.
“Folks’ needs were met at least for a little while so they can get over this hump,” said Mark Tandberg, division director for self-sufficiency and adult services with the Adams County Social Services Department. “At least at the end of the day they had a place to go.”
Displaced residents also were given bus tokens, gift cards and food boxes to take care of their most immediate needs, Tandberg said.
The owner of the motel — Sang Hwa Choi — could not be reached for comment.
The closure came after Commerce City police contacted the city’s Building Safety Division on Nov. 15 about possible violations. On Nov. 18, Tri-County Health inspected two rooms and found them infested with bedbugs, cockroaches and flies. Tri-County officials thought it was likely the remaining units were infested as well, said Commerce City spokesman Tim Carroll.
“The biggest concern was the infestations,” Carroll said.
During the inspection, one person was arrested on an outstanding warrant. That person’s dog — a pit bull — was impounded, Carroll said.
Commerce City Mayor Paul Natale said he wasn’t aware of any persistent problems with the motel. But, he said, he was heartened by the cooperative efforts of various agencies to help the displaced residents.
Social workers from Adams County Social Services, along with representatives from Access Housing, Family Tree, the Adams County Food Bank and the Denver Rescue Mission, were among those who helped, Tandberg said.
“It’s sad that some people take advantage of other people who don’t have a way to get out of these situations,” Natale said. “But I’m proud that when we found a problem, we stepped up and did something about it.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
