DENVER — The Denver Department of Public Health declared a condo building unlivable this week because it doesn't have water.
The people who own or rent at Americana Condominiums at 1121 Albion St. in Denver are figuring out their next steps.
This started with the deep freeze a few weeks ago. Multiple pipes burst, leading to other issues that ultimately lead to the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) declaring the building unlivable.
Some of the neighbors in the 80 units are renters. Davin Navarre is a homeowner.
“I have lived here since June of 2022,” Navarre said.
They're all having the same problems with their pipes, starting with the deep freeze.
“Since Jan. 14, we haven't had any water,” Navarre said. “There were like six people out to fix it, then it's fixed, and then there are seven more burst pipes, and it just kept snowballing and snowballing and snowballing.”
A sign on the door explained what was next.
“For a second I thought it was fake,” Navarre said.
DDPHE said without water, people who live there aren't able to wash hands flush toilets or shower, let alone drink the water. Everyone has to be out by Wednesday.
“The struggle of a person who is randomly forced to leave their home, I don't know it’s crazy, I am having a hard time even thinking about it,” Navarre said.
Navarre is living in an Airbnb for the time being. He says insurance will reimburse him for his stay when it's over. In the meantime, bills are piling up.
“You still have to pay your mortgage and your HOA fee,” Navarre said. “For me it's a little sad, I miss my place, I miss the way my condo smells, I miss my balcony, the outside may look a little tough but the building inside is amazing,” Navarre said. “I love my place and I miss it.”
Here’s a Q&A with the public information officer for the DDPHE:
- For what reasons did the Denver Department of Public Health find the Americana Condominiums uninhabitable?
Due to the lack of water to the entire building, residents are unable to wash hands, flush toilets, shower, or consume water at all. When our investigators inquired about the length of time for repairs, property management did not have a definite timeline, but estimated that it could take several weeks or even months before the water is fully restored. Given the unknown length of time for repairs and the lack of access to water, it is unsafe for human habitation. The property was deemed uninhabitable with signs posted (placarded) yesterday, and residents have been given until Wednesday (Jan. 31) to fully vacate the premises.
- How often does the Denver Department of Public Health find places of living uninhabitable?
All situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Residences are deemed uninhabitable when the conditions within the premises present imminent health and safety risks to residents.
- What is the Denver Department of Public Health requiring residents of the American Condominiums to do right now?
Currently, we are requiring that all residents vacate the property by Wednesday. We will allow residents of this building to access their homes during the day, as needed, and will continue to hold the property ownership/management responsible for necessary repairs until it becomes safe to re-occupy.
- What is the timeline for allowing Americana Condominiums residents back in the building full time, and what needs to be done for that to happen?
The water will have to be fully restored and the timeline will depend on when the property management/ownership can complete the necessary repairs for that to happen. Our investigators will perform a follow up inspection to confirm the property is back in compliance before residents will be allowed to move back in.
- Is there anything you’d like to add?
Our Residential Health Program strives to protect, preserve, and promote the health and safety of residents within their dwellings. When our investigators responded to the property, many of the residents had already left. Last Friday, we issued the property ownership/management an order to provide emergency temporary bathroom facilities, handwashing facilities, and potable water for consumption for the residents who remained over the weekend, which they did. The placard that we posted allows 24-hour access to all contractors to be on the property for repairs, and residents are also allowed to access the property daily from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. if they need to. We also provided our community resource document to residents which contains information about housing assistance and other resources if needed.
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