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January 9, 2020
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Red flag law goes into effect Extreme risk protection order would follow court finding that person poses danger BY ESTEBAN L. HERNANDEZ DENVERITE.COM
“I feel even more passionate about that in 2019 than I did in 1967. Work is just so damn important.” Over the years, Bayaud has evolved from an organization connecting people to jobs, to a nonprofit offering a multitude of services for people dealing with mental illness or homelessness. For Henninger, jobs and the housing crisis are closely intertwined. Without jobs, people may not be able to stay in the affordable housing projects the city is working to build.
As of Jan. 1, the state’s red flag law is in effect. The law allows family members to ask a judge for what’s called an extreme risk protection order, which removes guns from someone that family member believes is a danger to themselves or others. Cops and household members can also request this protective order. Denver Police Division Chief of Investigations Joe Montoya admits the law makes some of his officers nervous but said the department is equipped and prepared to enforce it. And he thinks that could happen soon. “It could happen as early as 12:01 this morning, to be honest with you,” Montoya said Dec. 31. The department’s domestic violence unit, which consists of a lieutenant, two sergeants and three detectives, will lead the department’s red flag law enforcement. Montoya said the three detectives will be responsible for enforcing policies created with feedback from the City Attorney’s Office, the Denver District Attorney’s Office and the courts. The new law didn’t necessarily require additional training.
SEE BAYAUD, P2
SEE RED FLAG, P3
Joe Tinao operates a forklift in the paper shredding room at Bayaud Enterprises. The shredding business is one of the many avenues that the nonprofit uses to connect people to jobs. COURTESY OF BAYAUD ENTERPRISES
‘People are loved and valued here’ David Henninger, head of Bayaud Enterprises, steps down after half-century BY KAILYN LAMB KLAMB@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
David Henninger sits behind his desk at Bayaud Enterprises, the December sun streaming in behind him. He is reflecting on his life’s work
connecting people in need to jobs, helping to give them the means to forge their own path in life. December was Henninger’s last month as the executive director of the 50-year-old nonprofit, which he helped to found in 1969. Since day one, Henninger has strived to remove barriers to jobs for those with mental health issues and/ or dealing with homelessness. His passion for the issue has only grown in the time since he first started working in mental health. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all. We had to develop a lot of alternatives,” he said.
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DID YOU KNOW INSIDE
After an increase of 90 cents, Colorado’s minimum wage is $12 an hour as of Jan. 1. Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
VOICES: PAGE 4 | CALENDAR: PAGE 7 VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 9