President can dish it out, but can’t take it
Re: “,” April 29 news story
President Trump’s hysterical reaction to a joke is typical of the thin-skinned bully type he is. Letap look at the situation: Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel told a joke, big deal. Trump savagely lashed out at former FBI director Robert Mueller after his death, saying he was glad that Mueller was dead, among other horrible things.
Trump is a hateful, vicious person who deliberately incited violence against Congress in his evil attempt to overthrow a legal election. Trump, not Kimmel, needs to be fired.
Thomas Holzfaster, Lakewood
‘Ridiculous’ to define 86 as assassination code
Re: “Online post: DOJ again indicts Comey,” April 29 news story
Years ago, when I was a busboy and waiter, we used the term “86” or “86 it” to mean throw it away, referring to leftover food, and more generally anything you want to get rid of. Assassination? Don’t be ridiculous.
Steve Billig, Denver
Denver needs to show it can compete for businesses
Re: “Coalition warns state’s tech status at risk,” April 14 business story
Denver’s economic warning signs are visible in where companies choose to invest and where talent chooses to relocate.
In recent years, major employers with deep Colorado roots have moved their headquarters elsewhere and downtown office vacancies remain elevated. At the same time, population trends show fewer people choosing to move here and more choosing to leave. These are not isolated data points. They reflect a broader erosion in competitiveness that city and state leadership shouldn’t ignore.
The fact is that businesses operate based on the long-term reliability of a location’s business climate, including tax policy, workforce availability, regulatory environment, economic development incentives, public program infrastructure, and quality of life. Businesses are consistently looking to communities like Austin, Phoenix, and Miami over Denver.
When businesses leave or choose to invest elsewhere, the opportunity cost is fewer high-paying jobs, diminished opportunity, and fewer tax dollars to pay for public priorities to solve our most pressing community challenges.
This is fixable, but only with deliberate action. The City of Denver should establish clear performance standards for core services, streamline planning and development processes, invest in technology to automate, and benchmark its regulatory and cost structure against faster-growing competitive cities. Economic development efforts must also become more targeted and proactive, particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining major employers.
Denver’s long-term prosperity depends on its ability to compete. Without a course correction, the city risks continued loss of businesses, talent, and economic opportunity. With the right changes, Denver can reestablish itself as a leading destination for business growth and invest in greater opportunities for Denver residents to build a good life.
Erik Clarke, Denver
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
