Golden Spike Apartments in Denver, CO

Pros

• The new assistant manager is kind and has top-notch listening skills.
• There is security presence from time to time, provided by off-duty Denver police officers, which is seen as a positive.
• Since the manager took over, she and her staff have been making improvements and implementing quality-of-life enhancements.
• The back gazebo area is nice.

Cons

• The new manager Silvia is extremely rude.
• She is aggressive and condescending.
• She doesn't listen and argues when she is clearly wrong.
• This place failed their HUD inspection.
• There are new employees that are extremely rude.
• The maintenance man knocks like he's the police, then tried to get nosey with questions and trying to look around the apartment.
• The Demver police officers who do their security either choose to not remember or just doesn't pay attention to who lives there.
• They constantly ask people "do you live here" knowing they do.
• They rarely leave their vehicles when they are supposed to patrol the area and building.
• They have bedbugs in just about every unIt there.

Review

Golden Spike Apartments in Denver is best suited for residents who have almost no affordable alternatives and who can cope with ongoing management turnover, serious maintenance gaps, and a risk-filled living environment. The property presents a potential option for extremely budget-conscious seniors, disabled tenants, or households seeking housing near central city services who aren't deterred by the prospect of repeated problems, limited staff capacity, and safety concerns. The package may look financially attractive, but the realities reported by current and former residents suggest that cost comes with a heavy burden of pest infestations, unreliable infrastructure, and inconsistent governance. Those who require predictable service, consistent security, or a healthy, well-maintained home should not treat this as a first choice.

Alternatives should be explored for families prioritizing health, safety, and predictable daily life. If a resident group includes elderly individuals with limited mobility, or anyone dependent on steady elevator access, unreliable lifts are a decisive red flag. If a family needs consistent, respectful property management, transparent communications, and timely repairs, this community's history of staff turnover and complaints about rude or bullying behavior signals a poor fit. Also, if infestation, mold, water issues, and unaddressed health department concerns remain unresolved, the long-term cost is not only financial but emotional and physical. In short, anything involving strong needs around safety, privacy, or daily living should prompt a careful look at alternatives.

Still, there are a few practical strengths to consider tucked inside the chaos. A newer assistant manager is repeatedly described as approachable, with solid listening skills, and a capable counterpart in Silvia - though the overall manager's style is contentious. Where maintenance and security are slowly addressed, these personnel changes can yield small, tangible improvements in responsiveness and courtesy. The property sits in a location with potential access to services, and a back gazebo area offers a pleasant space, albeit marred by lighting and odor issues. Taken together, these limited positives provide a glimmer of what a stable, well-supported operation could be - yet they barely move the needle against a backdrop of structural and governance failures that limit reliability.

The dominant story across reviews is one of chronic safety, health, and reliability failures. Bedbugs, roaches, and mold appear as recurring ground truths, with health department concerns highlighted repeatedly. Structural problems extend to plumbing, water temperature, and leaks, underscored by a backlog of repairs and frequent elevator outages - one of two lifts often out of service for months, creating real barriers for mobility-impaired residents. Pest infestations, unchecked security breaches, and a perception that staff and even security personnel tolerate or exacerbate unsafe conditions compound the risk. Management turnover, with grievances about intimidation, evictions, and inconsistent enforcement of rules, erodes trust and leaves residents feeling unprotected. Rent increases tied to fines from regulatory issues intensify the sense that tenants are subsidizing systemic failures.

Operational fragility translates into daily-life pain for families and caregivers. The building's erratic elevator service means caregiving visits can be delayed or canceled, raising safety concerns for residents who rely on assistance. Security challenges - open access points, insufficient patrolling, and the perception of drug activity - make many tenants uneasy about guests and personal belongings. Privacy violations, disorganized billing, and unclear processes around rent or resources create administrative stress that compounds health or disability-related needs. Night lighting and outdoor areas suffer from neglect, increasing fall risk and reducing usable outdoor spaces. In short, the environment compounds health risks and undermines dignity, even when offered at a lower rent.

Decision guidance is clear: not every family will accept the level of risk and wear this property invites. If choosing to pursue this community, do so with a concrete plan - document current pest control measures, insist on a formal elevator service history, and set expectations for maintenance response times. Strongly consider alternatives with proven pest control records, stable management, and reliable accessibility. For those who must stay, engage resident councils, seek external advocacy, and prepare for potential disruptions while coordinating with social services. The bottom line: Golden Spike Apartments often fails to deliver the safe, well-run home that many seniors and disabled residents deserve. Weigh options carefully, and favor communities with consistent governance, strong maintenance, and a verifiable commitment to resident well-being.

This area of Denver, Colorado offers a range of amenities that may be attractive to seniors looking for a convenient and bustling neighborhood. With several pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians in close proximity, access to healthcare services is readily available. The abundance of parks provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are various dining options including fast-food chains and local eateries for dining convenience. The presence of cafes offers places to socialize or enjoy a cup of coffee. For entertainment, there are theaters nearby for movie buffs. Places of worship are also within reach for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this area combines practicality with leisure options making it a potentially desirable location for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• The Lodge Cannabis (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Ruby Park (1.8 miles)
• Pinecrest Park (2.2 miles)
• Overland Pond Park (2.2 miles)
• Washington Park (3.7 miles)
• Bonnie Brae Ellipse Park (4.4 miles)
• Mamie D Eisenhower Park (4.8 miles)
• Cheesman Park (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.1 miles)
• Englewood Grand (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3.7 miles)
• Illegal Pete's (3.7 miles)
• Cochino Taco (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Stella's Coffee House (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Aviano Coffee (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)

Physicians

• Porter Adventist Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Colorado Surgical Arts (2.8 miles)
• Center For Advanced Dermatology (3.2 miles)
• Native Roots Dispensary (3.7 miles)
• Kids First Pediatrics (4.6 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Lakewood Medical Offices (4.6 miles)
• Cherry Creek Pediatrics (5.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Webb Center for Primary Care (4.5 miles)
• Cherry Creek Eye Center (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Denver (5.2 miles)
• Regal UA Denver Pavilions 4DX & RPX (5.6 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Littleton (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Temple Sinai (5.4 miles)
• St John's Cathedral (5.5 miles)