David Heitz
Bio
I am a journalist with 38 years' experience. I write for Potent, Vocal's cannabis blog, and Psyche, where I share stories of living with schizoaffective disorder bipolar one. I have lived in a penthouse and also experienced homelessness.
Stories (116)
Filter by community
Prince's sudden death after a visit to my infamous hometown
I don’t like to talk very much about my hometown, Rock Island, Ill. My house was shot up there as I was writing about missing persons. I sold my home and fled to Denver, where I became homeless after suffering years of psychological abuse in Illinois. Colorado helped me pick up the pieces, and I’m grateful.
By David Heitz14 days ago in Criminal
What fentanyl users want you to know. Top Story - February 2026.
There are dozens of people at Fusion Studios, the homeless hotel in Denver where I live, who use fentanyl. But even hardcore meth users judge them. The fentanyl users are the most stigmatized group in the building.
By David Heitz19 days ago in Psyche
Can I trust a chatbot with my mental health?. AI-Generated.
The author used artificial intelligence in the crafting of this report. An increasing number of Americans has turned to artificial intelligence when in emotional distress, according to a survey by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and Ipsos. While many argue this is providing important access to information, NAMI wants to make sure the responses AI generates are accurate, sensitive and don’t cause harm.
By David Heitz24 days ago in Psyche
What might an extraterrestrial invasion of Earth look like?. AI-Generated.
The author used artificial intelligence in the crafting of this article. Although Hollywood depicts visits by aliens as horrifying experiences where humans die or even are eaten alive, scientists and philosophers say that’s probably not what an invasion would like.
By David Heitz27 days ago in Earth
Transcribing the voices in my head. AI-Generated.
The author used artificial intelligence in the brainstorming of this article. I love the feeling of a pen in my left hand making contact with heavy journal paper. I force myself to write neatly because my handwriting is generally messy. When I concentrate on writing neatly, however, I do. This unusual brain exercise sharpens my mind.
By David Heitzabout a month ago in Psyche
How to be a good neighbor to homeless people
Homeless people live all over Denver. You see them when you walk your dog, when you pull up to an intersection where they are panhandling, or when you go downtown. You see them by streams and on trails. Increasingly, Denver homeless people are moving to the outskirts of the city as they are pushed out of downtown.
By David Heitzabout a month ago in Humans
Guns in homeless housing
In the past several months, I have seen three guns in the apartments of the building I live in, Fusion Studios, which is permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. This sort of alarmed me because many people who live here suffer from mental illness or addiction. But the truth is, because residents here have signed a lease and the building receives federal funding, they are allowed to own guns.
By David Heitzabout a month ago in The Swamp
Romance behind the dumpster
One of the things that struck me when I became homeless was how many unhoused people had paired off. While some of these relationships were platonic, others were romantic. At first, I wondered how people who worried where their next meal would come from could possibly put in the work needed for a relationship. But in fact, homeless people who are at their most vulnerable often crave human connection both for companionship and safety. “Find a buddy,” an older homeless man told me when I became homeless. “There’s safety in pairs.”
By David Heitzabout a month ago in Humans
