Editor 's note : CNN has asked its journalists across the country to offer their thoughts on how the economic crisis is affecting their cities . In this installment , All Platform Journalist Jim Spellman reports from Denver , Colorado . Hari Dallakoti says business at his UPS store in Denver , Colorado , is down 25 percent . DENVER , Colorado ( CNN ) -- The conventional wisdom here in the Mile High City is that Denver entered the recession early and is pulling out of it ahead of the rest of the country . Time and again I have heard politicians , journalists and business people tell me that it is n't so bad here , that Denver is poised to lead the nation in an economic recovery . Maybe , but the signs on the ground are a little harder to read . Down on Broadway I stop by a UPS store a couple of times a week . The owner 's name is Hari Dallakoti . Dallakoti always has a smile on his face and seems to know all his customers by name -- he was calling out to me by the second time I entered the shop . People drop by to ship out packages , make copies and pick up deliveries . There is always a crowd when I have been in , but Dallakoti tells me business is down 25 percent this month versus the same time last year . `` Finally it 's hitting in this area , and I believe that people are afraid of spending money , '' he says . `` It 's like a ripple effect , and I think I am feeling it now . '' Dallakoti says customers who once sent birthday presents across the country are now only sending cards . Also , eBay-related shipping is down , and he has seen a falloff in people sending mortgage-related documents . He has five employees and says he has n't had to let anyone go , but he has had to cut back their hours . He agrees that business is better in Denver than in other parts of the country and is confident he will weather the economic storm , but it may be a while before things get better for him . `` In my opinion it 's going to get worse for the next couple , three months , and I 'm hoping it will turn around after June , '' he says . Watch how the downturn is affecting Denver » . A block up Broadway is a little guitar store called Music Gear Guys . I play guitar , and this was one of the first businesses I stopped by when I moved to Denver in January . I have been in the shop four or five times and have been surprised that every time I drop by , the place is packed . `` The recession affected us a little last year but overall -- knock on wood -- it has n't really affected me too much , '' says owner Gregory Decker , who thinks the recession may actually be helping his business . `` I have a feeling that people are looking for hobbies or different forms of entertainment that are n't too expensive , '' Decker explains . His store is crowded with new and used guitars , amplifiers and accessories . He says guitars based on designs from the 1960s are the hot items in the store . Like Dallakoti , the UPS store owner , Decker seems to know all of his customers by name . He says that in this economy you have to focus on customer service to stand a chance . He does n't advertise , instead relying on word of mouth , and keeps overhead low : He is the sole employee . `` Relationships are what make my business thrive . Without them I would n't be as successful , '' he says . But even here in a relatively successful small business there are signs of the hard times other people have been experiencing . Beginning last year more customers started coming in to sell Decker their guitars in hopes of making ends meet . `` A lot of people are selling their gear due to job layoffs and needed the money , '' he says . The recession started with free-falling housing values and , in this respect , the signs are harder to read . Over the weekend I took my dog for a walk through my neighborhood near Sloans Lake in Northwest Denver and decided to count how many houses were for sale . In a six-block walk , I counted two houses for rent and 13 for sale , including the house next door to me . These homes sit like ghosts in the neighborhood . There are open houses on Sundays , but few people come by . The houses are all well-maintained , though most of them appear to be empty . My neighbors hope these places do n't fall into foreclosure ; they are worried the neighborhood will fall apart if they do . I 'll be keeping my eye on the house next door , and keeping my fingers crossed that my new hometown will be back on track soon .
CNN journalist in Denver , Colorado , weighs in on how economy affecting city . UPS store owner says business down at least 25 percent . Business brisk at guitar store , but many selling instruments to obtain money . Comment: