
In a concerning move that underscores ongoing issues with rental properties in the Denver area, the City of Denver has taken decisive action against CBZ Management, a property management company with a checkered history of maintaining safe living environments. The William Penn Apartments, located at 1644 Pennsylvania St. in Denver's North Capitol Hill neighborhood, are the latest to suffer the consequences of what the city describes as "serious health and safety concerns." According to KDVR, these issues include a lack of heat, hot water, natural gas, and a non-functioning fire alarm system.
Jon Ewing, a spokesperson from the Denver Mayor's Office, described the dire conditions to KDVR in stark terms. Walking through the property recently, Ewing noted that "It was 49 degrees in the hallway," reflecting the unlivable climate within the residential building. CBZ Management has accumulated over $280,000 in fines, and three liens, and earned a spot on the city's Neglected Property List. Ewing added, "Usually, that's enough to compel someone to fix the building. I guess it wasn't in this case," as noted by KDVR.
Compounding the issue is CBZ Management's history with another problematic property, The Edge at Lowry Apartments in Aurora, which was ordered closed earlier this month. As reported by CBS News, the company faces critical violations and substantial fines for non-compliance with city codes in Denver, prompting a request for a court-appointed receivership to take control of the William Penn Apartments to bring it up to code, a request that was granted on Thursday evening.
Denver's response to the issue goes beyond fines and legal action. An imperative for tenants to vacate the building was issued and must be completed by 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the Department of Public Health and Environment. "This landlord really could not keep up and as it appears just kind of abandoned this building so it’s no longer safe for folks to live here," Emily Williams said, a spokesperson for the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, as per 9News. The department has extended an offer to help with temporary housing resources for tenants affected by this closure. It was marked by Denver as the first summary suspension in city history issued for a licensed residential rental property.
Aurora's struggle with The Edge at Lowry further paints a bleak picture of CBZ Management's operations. The complex was deemed a criminal nuisance due to ongoing violent incidents, including those involving TdA gang activity, as reported by CBS News. With 382 calls for service at the property in 2024, the local police have been keenly aware of the troubles there. "We have effectively, proactively, and aggressively gone into that location and worked on the crime issues in and around there. But to be quite frank with you, it's not enough," Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said, as per CBS News.