Articles
I’ve curated a few of my favorite articles that demonstrate my abilities below. I don’t have enough space on this page to be able to put every single article I’ve written up for your viewing pleasure, I have provided links so you can read them on the original platform they were published, as well as descriptions of the articles themselves and my biggest takeaways from the experience.
The Closing of Quality
I’ve already briefly touched on this story elsewhere, but I do consider it the most important story I’ve worked on. My capstone project, I spent 4 months working on this story, so it is very near and dear to my heart.
The city of Denver’s Housing and Stability department opened up several homeless shelters funded by the federal government during the pandemic. Their goal was to house as many of the unhoused as possible. One in particular, the Quality Inn on Zuni Street, catered to those with preexisting medical conditions. Heart problems, diabetes, and physical disabilities: everyone at the Inn had something that made them vulnerable to COVID-19.
Unfortunately, Denver went back on their word when they decided to close down this shelter 3 months earlier than the residents were expecting, leaving many of them without any options but to live on the streets once again.
What I found in my reporting was a web of negligence, perpetuated by HOST, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and the Salvation Army. Each organization blamed the other for the early closing, and no one could tell me why none of the residents had proper case managers that could assist the residents in finding housing elsewhere. Leaders of these organizations were hostile, my first time interviewing people who weren’t there out of good faith, and I learned that there is no such thing as an innocuous question when someone feels threatened.
The stories I heard from those living at the shelter were truly heartbreaking: people who lost everything be it due to medical bills, prison, or just bad luck. They needed help, and not one of these multi-million dollar organizations were able to help them. The story itself covers the failings of Denver in assisting these people, as well as the larger economic issues that perpetuate houselessness in the city.
https://theclosingofthequalityinn.shorthandstories.com/the-closing-of-quality/
District 9 Debate: Policy Over Politics
One of my favorite stories because I got to talk with one of my favorite politicians: Candi CdeBaca. While reporters are supposed to remain objective, we are still human beings who have our own biases, and she was always very kind to me and willing to talk to me about multiple stories I was working on. While she did end up losing this election, I wasn’t too upset, as the Darrell Watson shares many of her same beliefs, with different ideas of implementation. I got some of my favorite quotes during this story while talking with members of the audience and met many fellow journalists who were all very forward with advice and helping me along in my own career, which at the time was extremely helpful.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/district-9-debate-policy-over-politics/
Sisterhood on the Political Campaign Trail
On this story, I got to meet Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca and Dr. Lisa Calderon, two women with very strong voices and influence in Denver politics. I even had the opportunity to talk to them briefly after the event and received some excellent professional advice. A very inspiring story, but an even better experience.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/sisterhood-on-the-campaign-trail/
Everyday is Mardi Gras for Deja Roux Food Truck
This was the story that affirmed my choice to switch into journalism. My first story after officially graduating, and my first paid story, I interviewed a strange man by the name of papa Willy who ran this food truck with his family. He’d forgotten some spices at their storage unit, so I hopped in the car and interviewed him as he whipped through the streets of Denver without his seatbelt on. Afterwards, he even fed me for free. Driving home, I couldn’t believe my luck that I had actually been paid to this that, and felt more gratified by it than anything else in my whole professional career. I still chase that feeling to this day.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/every-day-is-mardi-gras-for-deja-roux-food-truck/
DPS Board Votes NO on Closing Schools
Denver tried shutting down over 10 schools in the city due to falling admission. However, the community came together and voiced their opinions, pleasing with the board not to shut down their schools. Each plea was impassioned and measured, laying out clear and concise reasons why the lower numbers of students was actually a boon to their schools, allowing for more attention from teachers for every child. Many families would’ve had to commute much further distances if the board had gone through with this decision, and it ultimately would have shot Denver’s educational system in the leg in the future, once housing costs decrease and more families are capable of moving to Denver. A very beneficial story for me to have reported on, as it showed the dedication the community has to each other, and their willingness to fight for what they believe is best for them.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/dps-board-to-vote-on-closing-five-schools/
Small Businesses Worry This Holiday Season
An interesting story, as many small business suffer from inflation and the rising costs of doing business. Each owner I talked to was kind and loved what they did for a living. They were busy, but still made time to talk with me and my partner, for which we were very grateful. They all said similar things, that they were doing there best but were unsure if they could continue to operate their business. Each interview had a touch of sadness to it, as they realized they may not be able to share the food that they love with their communities anymore. Forced to raise prices, the community stood behind them are were willing to pay extra just so they could stay in business: another example of why I love Denver and its people so much.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/small-businesses-worry-this-holiday-season/
Destruction by Inaction
The first article I ever got published, and on a subject I am extremely passionate about. My local Kingsoopers was attacked by a terrorist in a mass shooting in 2021. This store was the one every single person from my highschool went to for lunch. The store where we ate out lunch, got our snacks, and ran by everyday during Cross Country.
The stories I read within our local paper, the Daily Camera, drove me mad. Useless affirmations of togetherness that did nothing to identify the hopelessness felt within my generations. The feeling of abandonment that came from the older generations as they let more people get slaughtered every year without doing a thing to stop it.
I was furious at the sentiment, and wrote what I think the older generations needed to hear: that we were tired of bloodshed, that we had accepted it, and no amount of fluff pieces could quell the anger we all felt. And old classmate of mine died in the shooting. Another close friend worked at the store, and just so happened to be missing his shift when the attack happened.
Opinion pieces are may favorite to write, and this on stands as my favorite of all time. The community feedback I received was a depressing form of gratitude, as many people were happy to hear my generations perspective, but sad to find out that we have accepted that we could all die at any time, even just visiting your grocery store.
https://www.dailycamera.com/2021/04/08/guest-opinion-patrick-stachniak-destruction-by-inaction/
Neighbors Wait for Ballot Measure 2o Outcome
I spent 4 hours knocking on doors in the blistering cold. Still, I met several people who were very passionate about this ballot measure and who were very grateful to me for coming by just to hear their opinion. By chance, I even knocked on the door on one of the local community leaders, who was able to give me the inside scoop on the feelings of the entire neighborhoods. Luck, maybe. But this story reminded me of how worthwhile it is to talk to anyone and everyone.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/neighbors-wait-for-outcome-of-prop-2o/
Denver Mayoral Candidates Speed Debate
17 candidates is a lot for one debate. The vast amount of information that was presented during this debate made writing the actual story a nightmare. I wanted to include everything, but simply couldn’t. lest it turn into a 10 page essay. This story taught me how to prioritize the most pertinent information, and look for those gold nuggets that are so important to the interest of a story, while also ensuring that the reader would still be as informed as possible.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/denver-mayoral-candidates-speed-debate/
A Historic Night with Denver’s Mayors
One of my first real stories out in the field, and one of my most interesting experiences. The former mayors of Denver, the leaders who built Denver International Airport and brought the Rockies to Colorado, all attended this panel to discuss the future of the city. Rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful of Denver was very strange indeed, but the highlight was when the fire alarm went off, and I had the opportunity to meet Mayor Pena. Highways are named after this guy, and I got to shake his hand and even asked him for some advice in my career. He was remarkably kind and engaging, and told me to never put myself in a box and always be willing to try something new, because that’s the difference between the average Joe and people who actually change things. Another absolute highlight in my short career.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/an-historic-night-with-denvers-mayors/
Water Use at Forefront of National Western
One of the more difficult stories I reported on, I had to speak to ranchers in the blistering cold in January. My hands were so cold from holding my recorder I thought I had frostbite. Still, I was able to get firsthand experience about the importance of water usage from real ranchers and farmers who truly understand the dangers that lie ahead. While they were all fine for the time being, they saw the risks and simply wanted people within cities to understand how important it is to conserve water so that ranches have enough to continue giving them the food that they love.
https://bucketlistcommunitycafe.com/water-use-at-forefront-of-national-western/