I want to take a moment to honor and give respect to a woman who was shot and killed by a man on a killing spree in my town. On December 27th, 2021, Alicia Cardenas was taken from this world by a violent man.

Alicia ran and owned a tattoo and body piercing shop on South Broadway in Denver. In-fact, I got my septum pierced there. It is a place that has good vibes, friendly staff, and is very COVID conscious-a tribute to how she ran the place.

I haven’t been able to get Alicia Cardenas off my mind. Although I did not know her, I am rattled by her death. The more I read about her, the more I respect her and feel the loss: I feel the gap this leaves in our community.

I can only imagine there are very few women-owned and operated tattoo shops out there. And yet, here was one. A beautiful and badass indigenous artist, Alicia Cardenas, ran a successful, welcoming business.

It is so wrong. It is unfair. And I am angry and saddened that another violent man has robbed this world of an amazing woman.

Alicia-I wish I had known you. Your loss is felt across our community. Thank you for your art, your inspiration and the joy you brought others.

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