Sewage dumped under Denver shopping center, lawsuit says

Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy Sues Real Estate Company Over Plumbing Issues

The Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy has filed a lawsuit against a national real estate company for failing to connect the facility to a main plumbing line at a south Denver shopping center, resulting in water and sewage accumulation under the building for seven years. The lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, alleges gross negligence, breach of contract, violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, and other claims.

The ballet academy signed a lease at Tiffany Plaza in 2017, located near the intersection of East Hampden Avenue and South Tamarac Drive. Over the years, the academy experienced plumbing issues and noxious odors, which AmCap, the real estate company, failed to address adequately.

After discovering that parts of the interior plumbing were never connected to the main system, the academy realized that all water disposal had been directed beneath the premises, leading to mold exposure and irreparable damage to valuable ballet costumes from Russia.

Despite the ongoing problems, AmCap continued to list the academy as a tenant on its website, while neglecting the concerns raised by the Tyukovs, owners of the academy. The lawsuit seeks damages for the impact on the academy’s business, health risks to the Tyukovs, and the loss of costumes and props.

As a result of the lawsuit, a related entity, Rocky Mountain Conservatory, has relocated to a different south Denver location. The academy is requesting a judge to hold AmCap accountable for the plumbing defects and compensate for the damages and retroactive rent owed.

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