Serving the community since 1926
WEEK OF JUNE 15, 2023
VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 30
$2
Flourishing through flower therapy Brooks Floral & Co. workshops provide space to connect and process grief BY ELICIA HESSELGRAVE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
“We laugh, cry and share memories knowing it’s OK to not be OK.” These are the words of Kaitlin Christenson Austin, a Denverite who started her small floral design business to honor her older brother. Her story is one of healing through flowers. Austin started Brooks Floral & Co. in September 2021, roughly three months after her older brother, Brooks Christenson, died unexpectedly at age 36 when COVID-19 rapidly turned into pneumonia. “I feel so connected to him through this and I know he is so proud,” Austin said. Austin grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in a close-knit family of four children. Brooks was the oldest, followed by siblings Jon, Kaitlin and MarieClaire. Brooks and Kaitlin were connected on a deep level, said their father, Bob Christenson of Sioux Falls. “Of all the kids, they were the two most bonded by the spirituality of the human condition, and I think (Kaitlin) is expressing that in what she’s doing with flowers,” Bob Christenson said. He added that their bond continues to grow — even now that Brooks is gone. “They had a good relationship,” Bob Christenson said. “They still do, because she’s doing these things that involve him.”
What the new Denver City Council looks like Members will be will sworn in on July 17 BY REBECCA TAUBER DENVERITE
The late Brooks Christenson had a passion for adventure and travel. Here, he is pictured during a trip to Uganda when he travelled there with a nonprofit as a grant-writer. The trip was to do humanity work that focused on clean water and medical supplies.
SEE THERAPY, P2
The 2023 election has come and gone. Denverites now have a sense of what the next four years will look like on Denver’s City Council. City Council will have seven returning councilmembers and welcome six newcomers. It will also have a record five Latinas represented on Council, according to Council spokesperson Robert Austin. The biggest news from June 6 came from the District 9 race, with Darrell Watson taking a large and early lead that incumbent Councilmember Candi CdeBaca just couldn’t make up as votes were counted through the night. District 9 was the most expensive and most watched council race. During the election, an opposition that included developers and area business leaders developed to CdeBaca, who came to be known for her contrarian stances during her four years on Council. She often voted no and spoke out against developers.
COURTESY PHOTO
VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 11
SEE COUNCIL, P4
DENVERHERALD.NET • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Landmark 20th
July 28, 29 & 30
Evergreen Jazz Festival Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting!
Dancers Welcome!
Free Parking!
EvergreenJazz.org 303-697-5467