Crisanta Duran hosts town hall on homelessness tonight

As the weather heats up, so do concerns that the camping ban Denver City Council approved a year ago has not worked as envisioned. Last week, Denver Homeless Out Loud released the results of its survey of 500 homeless people on the impact of the ban, which took effect on...

By Patricia Calhoun

April 8, 2013

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As the weather heats up, so do concerns that the camping ban Denver City Council approved a year ago has not worked as envisioned. Last week, Denver Homeless Out Loud released the results of its survey of 500 homeless people on the impact of the ban, which took effect on May 28, 2012.

And tonight, Representative Crisanta Duran will hold a town hall on the issue of homelessness at 6 p.m. at the United Way building, 2505 18th Street in Denver.

Here's the announcement from Duran's office:

In May of 2012, the City of Denver passed an ordinance that made it illegal to camp on city streets. Living in Denver, we know there is a strong need to continue to invest in mental health and shelter services for the homeless population.

Recently, Gov. Hickenlooper proposed an innovative idea to transition the closed Fort Lyon prison that was previously a veteran's hospital, into a homeless shelter that would transport the homeless from Denver to receive mental health and rehabilitation services.

This session, Reps. Garcia and Dore proposed legislation to turn Fort Lyon into a residential facility that will provide substance abuse support, medical care and job training to the homeless. For more information, click here.

Since this issue could impact the homeless community in Denver, I need to hear from you! I hope you can join me for a Town Hall to discuss this issue with representatives from the Governor's office. After the discussion, I will also give a legislative update concerning what we've accomplished this session so far!

Updated agenda for Town Hall:

Opening & Introductions:

State Representative Crisanta Duran, House District 5

Slide show presentation of plan by:

Reeves Brown, Executive Director Colorado Department of Local Affairs

Perspective from Bent County:

Commissioner Bill Long, Bent County

Denver Homeless community perspective of the Fort Lyon proposal:

Brad Meuli, President/CEO Denver Rescue Mission

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless role at Fort Lyon

John Parvensky, President/CEO Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

Closing Remarks:

Roxane White, Chief of Staff, Governor John Hickenlooper

5 minute break

Update of Legislative Session & Budget Package:

State Representative Crisanta Duran, House District 5

Space is limited; to find out if there's still room, e-mail [email protected]

From our archives: See our "Faces of Homelessness in Denver" slide show.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

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