'It's Not Right': Fed Up Residents of Federal Heights Mobile Home Park Struggle Without Gas for Days

Residents of a mobile home park in Federal Heights were upset as they went to bed on Monday evening, facing their sixth consecutive night without gas. This lack of gas has resulted in both an absence of heating and water supply.

The Denver Cascade Mobile Home Park reported that this issue began on April 22 due to an underground gas leak being discovered.

Following the detection of a gas smell within the neighborhood, we promptly reached out to the gas company for a comprehensive investigation. The utility company identified an underground gas leakage necessitating the shutdown of gas supply in the region till repairs could be completed,” stated Denver Cascade Community Management to 9NEWS.

Xcel was summoned to assist.

On April 22, our team addressed a report regarding a natural gas smell. Although Xcel Energy’s infrastructure functioned correctly, we detected issues within the customer’s part of the network and consequently disconnected their supply as a precautionary measure. Service cannot be reinstated until the property completes necessary repair works. We are working closely with the owner's building firm to facilitate safe restoration upon completion of these tasks,” stated Tyler Bryant, a representative from Xcel Energy, in an official communication with 9NEWS.

After almost a week, families report that this issue continues to be problematic.

“It’s simply not correct; it isn’t fair,” stated Dean Teter, who lives at the Denver Cascade Mobile Home Park.

It has been a frustrating week for Dean and Jennifer Teter. On last Tuesday, they received a message notifying them about the shutdown of their gas supply.

Dean read out loud from a text they received from the park stating, 'There has been a gas leak within the premises,' he continued. The message explained, 'We anticipate a temporary shutoff of gas services because an underground leak has been identified, and we're collaborating with Excel to address this issue swiftly. We appreciate your understanding during this time,'

It has been almost a week since the temporary situation began.

“And—nothing in sight indicating they would restore the gas supply anytime soon,” Dean stated.

The Teters have made Denver Cascade Mobile Home Park in Federal Heights their residence for many years.

"In August, it will mark 10 years," Jennifer Teter stated.

However, the last six days have presented a challenge.

"We've struggled to prepare meals, wash dishes, do laundry, and take showers due to the lack of heating. It’s been quite chilly recently, and when my daughter woke up on Sunday morning, the temperature inside our home had dropped to 46 degrees, leaving her very cold," Dean explained.

Denver Cascade Community Management mentioned that they have provided space heaters and electric cooktops for residents who desire them. However, the Teters believe that the park’s electrical system isn’t capable of managing these additional appliances and frequently trips circuit breakers.

On Monday, Denver Cascade introduced six mobile shower units for the inhabitants of the 382 residences. However, Dean mentioned that these facilities will not be suitable for him and his neighbors who have difficulty moving around.

"I'm dealing with skin problems, so maintaining hygiene is crucial. However, I can’t do this since there’s no proper facility for taking a shower,” Dean explained. “Today, they introduced mobile showers, yet none meet handicap or ADA standards. It feels awful, unjustified, and entirely inappropriate how they’re treating individuals.”

"Especially frustrating for disabled individuals," Jennifer remarked.

Denver Cascade Community Management stated that ensuring resident safety is their top priority. They mentioned they are currently identifying the problem and will work to resolve it as soon as possible. In the interim, they are providing support services for residents and giving them frequent updates.

The Teters mention that everybody around appears to be blaming others instead of addressing the issue at hand.

"It doesn’t help at all, and whenever you reach out to the office, they pass you along without giving a clear response,” Dean explained. “You receive a text saying one thing, the office tells you something different, and then a letter states yet another version of events. I just want a single accurate answer, a consistent explanation, some sort of update.”

Soon after 9NEWS contacted residents about the issues on the property, Denver Cascade sent out a text to residents saying they'd knock $100 off their May rent after these ongoing issues.

When it comes to resolving this issue, Denver Cascade states they expect considerable advancement to occur at the beginning of this week.