Five Points shop owners say festival fencing hurts longstanding Black-owned businesses

Last weekend, as Denverites gathered on Welton Street to celebrate the iconic Five Points Jazz Festival, a customer approached Larry Benford, who sat fuming in the doorway of Courtesy Auto Services, a shop he’s run for more than three decades. “Man, you look angry,” said the customer.   “I have right to be,” replied Benford. “Why in the hell do they got you fenced in?” the customer asked.  “I would like to know the same thing,” Benford answered. “Why me?” The Jazz Festival is one of several annual events in Five Points, a celebration of what was once dubbed the Harlem of the West, where iconic musicians played the bars and clubs and Black culture thrived.  This year, more than 30 acts played the weekend-long festival. People danced in the streets and venues. A main-stage hosted popular performers.  Denver dance legend and educator Cleo Parker Robinson and longtime KUVO Jazz General Manager Carlos Lando led a parade.   Longstanding community leaders like Rosalind “Bee” Harris, the owner and publisher of the Denver Urban Spectrum, were celebrated. Families poured in for the fun at the Denver Arts and Venues-run, United Airlines-sponsored event that has long been billed as a boost to local businesses....