NewsBreak Original

(Denver, Colo.) The Aurora City Council discussed Monday discussed how best to house those moved from homeless encampments in so-called "safe outdoor spaces." During a study session, most council members indicated they preferred the alternative over renovating the Aurora Day Resource Center. According to city staff, a renovated shelter could hold more than 100 people.

(Denver, Colo.) Aurora awarded a contract for $250,000 Monday to a company that will sweep away homeless encampments. It also adopted a resolution concerning storing items of people displaced by the sweeps.

(Denver, Colo.) Don't expect to see the crowds of homeless people camping in Aurora to disappear anytime soon. So far, the city only has set aside only 10 beds – mats, really – for people displaced by the urban camping sweeps.

(Aurora, Colo.) According to city estimates, Aurora's new camping ban will cost at least $4 million annually. The council will hear options for housing people displaced by the encampment sweeps during Monday's study session. Additional costs include storage of their belongings and wraparound mental health services.

Proud Boys working with cleanup crew contracted by Sacramento County. Sacramento Police telling people at Howe Avenue and Fair Oaks they had five minutes to leave on Monday, April 11, 2022.(Courtesy of Black Zebra Impact Team)

A homeless encampment in Denver is swept last week.Denver Homeless Out Loud. (Denver, Colo.) Denver granted contracts to non-profits Monday to continue a grant-funded program through 2030 to house people experiencing homelessness while facing the most stubborn challenges.

The Denver City Council will vote Monday to spend $240,000 on syringes for drug users. The Department of Public Health and Environment will award the contract to Colorado Non-Profit Development Center, doing business as Harm Reduction Action Center, to provide syringe access to Denver residents. HRAC will distribute needles at 112 E. 8th Ave.

(Denver, Colo.) Some people think women rarely become homeless. Women experiencing homelessness don't seem as visible as men, many of whom panhandle. But homeless women exist in Denver. You rarely see them because they're hiding, experts say.

Boulders placed in the Capitol Hill area to discourage urban camping. Nobody knows who placed the rocks there, but it wasn't the city.@MandatoryCarSetbacks on Twitter. (Denver, Colo.) Don't blame DOTI for the boulders along some sidewalks in Denver. And if you put the boulders there, you may need a permit.

A homeless encampment at Abilene and Mississippi in Aurora.City of Aurora. The mayor, who posed as a homeless person to better understand the culture, has outlawed urban camping.

(Denver, Colo.) The Aurora City Council passed a resolution Monday that indefinitely guarantees full funding for the police department. Democrats Crystal Murillo, Alison Coombs, Carlos Medina and Juan Marcano voted against the bill.

Margaret Chavez, a pioneer for Denver police women, accepts a proclamation from the city.City and County of Denver/Denver 8. (Denver, Colo.) Several residents criticized a planned diversion center for people experiencing homelessness during public comment Monday at Denver City Council.

A homeless encampment at Abilene and Mississippi in Aurora.Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman Facebook page. (Aurora, Colo.) If Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman wants his urban camping ban to withstand a court challenge, he must offer shelter to everyone displaced by a sweep.

Salvation Army Crossroads homeless shelter will remain open at least through 2023. The Salvation Army also will operate a homeless motel.City and County of Denver. (Denver, Colo.) Denver will continue to use the former Rodeway Inn at 4765 Federal Blvd. as a homeless shelter at least through Dec. 31.

Denver Police supervise an encampment sweep.Denver Homeless Out Loud. (Denver, Colo.) Denver police will soon take people experiencing homelessness who commit low-level crimes to a new "diversion center" instead of jail.

For the first time since changing rules regarding public comment at meetings, the Denver City Council heard from four newcomers Monday. "I watch your show a lot," said Carrie Murphy as she approached the council. The audience laughed.

Two men play chess at a Denver homeless shelter operated by Denver Rescue Mission.City and County of Denver/Department of Housing Stability. (Denver, Colo.) A new group critical of Denver's five-year plan to halve homelessness formed a non-profit to help provide permanent housing.

(Denver, Colo.) Public comment at the Denver City Council meeting Monday showed the divisiveness of the homeless encampment debate. Although some residents blasted council members for allowing encampment sweeps, others praised them and asked for more and swifter sweeps.

(Aurora, Colo.) Aurora joined Denver, Boulder, Arvada, Centennial and Parker Monday to become the latest Front Range city to outlaw urban camping. But the city also adopted a companion ordinance that guarantees every person displaced during a sweep will be offered shelter.

Denver is prepared to expand homeless shelter capacity during cold winter nights.Denver Homeless Out Loud. (Denver, Colo.) A decision to approve a $590,000 contract allows Denver's Department of Housing Stability to expand shelter capacity quickly if needed during cold weather.