Serving the community since 1906
WEEK OF JANUARY 30, 2025
VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 5
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Brighton rental grants helping studio artists BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
ter became more isolated from her family. She almost shakes with rage when she talks about the nearly two years her daughter was psychologically tied to the man. “She was a source of income to him,” Stacey said. “He would sell her over and over again, he did it multiple times.” “He knew exactly what he was doing,” Stacey said. “It was easier to sell my child than to work.” He also made her get a degrading tattoo, effectively branding her as his property.
Brighton artists working out of studio businesses in the city’s urban renewal area can qualify for up to $15,000 in annual rental assistance through the Brighton Urban Renewal Authority. The authority is offering the Brighton Hearts art rental assistance grants, according to a Jan. 13 news release. Local artists who qualify for assistance with rental costs must have physical space in the downtown urban area. When they apply, the artist may receive a grant of up to 50% of their yearly leases, not exceeding $15,000 per year. According to officials, the funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional appropriations will be considered when BURA, the authority, prepares its annual budget. The BURA commissioners will review the application and determine if the applicant qualifies for the grant. Art-focused nonprofits as well as for-profit art galleries and art studios can apply for the grants. According to officials, all nonprofit applicants must be in good standing per the Internal Revenue Code and must be a designated 501(c)(3) to qualify for the grant. According to officials, for-profit applicants must meet the following criteria: The museum, art gallery, or artist space must operate as an exhibit to create, present, or sell artistic work in various media produced by an artist, artist collective, or arts and culture organization that is accessible by the public to visit. According to officials, the eligibility requirements and location of the artist facility must be within Brighton’s downtown urban renewal plan area. Applicants must also have a current Brighton business/sales tax license and must submit a fully executed lease agreement. Home-based studios are not eligible for the grant. They must provide a copy of their lease agreement and a signed W-9 when completing their online application. Applicants must occupy physical space per the lease and be on the premises at the time of award. They may not sub-lease, rent, or occupy additional space to other entities who are grant award recipients. Reimbursement will require proof of rent or lease payment. Payments will be made directly to the landlord in most cases.
SEE WARNING, P7
SEE ARTISTS, P5
An illustration titled “Our Stories Never End,” by human trafficking advocate Alane Holsteen made for the From Silenced To Saved organiCOURTESY FSTS.ORG zation.
Raising a warning about sex trafficking Parents must be aware when their child becomes dependent on someone else BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When she first met the young man in her 16-year-old daughter’s life, Stacey was struck by how little he said. “He was just so quiet, and something felt off about him,” she said. “Turns out he had a lot to hide.” What she didn’t know is that he was working behind the scenes to shackle Stacey’s daughter to him and market her for sex. “He love bombed her,” said Stacey, a woman who asked that her real name not be used. But she wanted to tell her
daughter’s story to raise awareness for Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Stacey said the nearly silent young man showered her daughter – who was enrolled in a Douglas County high school - with affection and attention. He made her feel dependent on him for her happiness and threatened to kill himself when she broke up with him. Eventually, he convinced her to hook up with men for sex, Stacey said. Meanwhile, he was registering her on various social media and dating websites, marketing her and pocketing the money he made off their abusive arrangement. Stacey was only aware that her daugh-
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