Homelessness

Challenges of Preventing, Tracking Homeless Suicides

Challenges of Preventing, Tracking Homeless Suicides

Readers Comment on the Life and Death of Joe Henry

Readers Comment on the Life and Death of Joe Henry

Colorado Village Collaborative CEO Resigns

By Bennito L. Kelty
Aug 29, 2024

Her departure came amid changes to micro-communities under the nonprofit's control.
Homeless Handyman Found Dead Days After Sharing His Story

By Bennito L. Kelty
Aug 28, 2024

Police believe that Joe Henry, a former Brown Palace hotel worker, killed himself days after sharing his story with Westword.
Homeless Handyman, Fired From Brown Palace for Sleeping in Hotel, Has Lost Hope for Housing

By Bennito L. Kelty
Aug 26, 2024

Joe Henry thought he had a way out when he landed a gig at the Brown Palace, but bad luck and mistaken judgment led him back to the streets.
Denver Sees Drop in the Unsheltered, but Overall Homeless Numbers Rise

By Bennito L. Kelty
Aug 14, 2024

The January tally found that 9,977 people were living outside or in homeless shelters across Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties.
Reader: A Tuff Shed With a Bed Isn't a Tiny Home, Just a Tiny Place to Stay

By Westword Readers
Aug 11, 2024

One of Denver's largest homeless service providers, Colorado Village Collaborative, is upgrading three housing sites.
Motel Owners Sue Greenwood Village Over Ordinance That Limits Homeless Motel Stays

By Bennito L. Kelty
Aug 5, 2024

"I feel like we're genuinely contributing to society by being a hotel that steps up...I just want them to allow us to continue to do the good that we're doing."
Homeless Services Provider Turns Tent Encampment Into Tiny Homes

By Bennito L. Kelty
Aug 1, 2024

Colorado Village Collaborative is upgrading three sites overall, and closing a supervised tent encampment in the Montbello neighborhood.
Fresh Off a Migrant Crisis and Still Battling Homelessness, Mayor Johnston Looks to Year Two

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jul 30, 2024

"We want to focus on climate, we want to focus on childcare, we want to focus on transit."
New Fencing, Lighting Not Enough to End Safety Issues Around West Colfax

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jul 25, 2024

West Colfax residents report an influx of homeless encampments and public drug use despite more fencing, lighting and police patrols.
Urban Peaks Opens "Mothership" Shelter for Homeless Youth

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jul 24, 2024

A few months after a $2 million wage theft decision went against Urban Peak, the organization was able to secure funding and open its 136-bed shelter on schedule.
Mike Johnston Promised to End Homelessness in His First Term. Here's What He Did His First Year

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jul 22, 2024

As Denver's mayor delivers his State of the City address, we look back over his first twelve months.
Denver Mayor, Advocates Vow to Protect Homeless After SCOTUS Camping Ban Ruling

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jun 28, 2024

Mayor Mike Johnston has assured "nothing changes" after a Supreme Court ruling in favor of camping bans, but advocates are on edge.
After Three Months With a Micro-Community for the Homeless, Neighbors Are Still on the Fence

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jun 28, 2024

Staff at La Paz micro-community in Denver's Overland neighborhood say they're seeing homeless residents improve, but some neighbors are concerned.
Guaranteed Income Helps Move Almost 300 People Into Housing After One Year

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jun 18, 2024

"We see a path to policy, and we think a policy based on these initial results would be something beneficial to society."
City Council Approves $1 Million Contract for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

By Chris Perez
Jun 11, 2024

The funding is intended to provide more case management and behavioral health training.
Mayor's Critics Demand End of Street Outreach Team, Citing Homeless Ticketing Data

By Bennito L. Kelty
Jun 4, 2024

The Street Engagement Team is the target of criticism, with advocates claiming its goal is to harass Denver's homeless.
Speeding, Homelessness Lead Southwest Denver Safety Concerns

By Bennito L. Kelty
May 31, 2024

They mayor said he will soon address speeding, but a city councilmember argued that homelessness in the area is worse thanks to city efforts last year.
Hampden Residents Question Migrant and Homeless Strategies, Laud Parks and Police

By Bennito L. Kelty
May 24, 2024

Hampden residents applauded local police work, but questioned the mayor's homeless and migrants plans.
Viral Video of Baby Crawling Near Street Leads to Harassment of Young Mother

By Chris Perez
May 14, 2024

"There's nobody actually trying to help anybody. It's just, 'Oh look at these homeless people.'"
"Open-Air Drug Market" and Homelessness Top Ballpark District Safety Concerns

By Bennito L. Kelty
May 9, 2024

Residents were happy with some of the mayor's policies during a recent town hall but brought up several glaring problems.

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