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Two homeless residents sit in their tent in Denver.

Denver Claims Street Homelessness is Halfway Solved. Is It?

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jun 13, 2025

With new data in hand, Mayor Johnston claimed he's halfway to solving street homelessness in Denver. We talked to a critic, partner and colleague to see what they think.

How Denver Plans to Solve the City's Neglected Building Problem

By Catie Cheshire

Jun 11, 2025

In 2024 alone, Denver added 160 buildings to the city’s neglected and derelict building list.

A homeless resident stands outside her tent.

A Tale of Two Cities: Homeless Reports Back Opposing Ideas In Denver, Aurora

By Bennito L. Kelty

Apr 29, 2025

The state's first homeless report backs a housing-first model in Denver while a privately funded report stands behind Aurora's work-first approach.

New Ballpark Improvement District Brings Hospitality, Homeless Services

By Bennito L. Kelty

Apr 23, 2025

Just over 500 voters created the Ballpark District. So far, the top concern is homelessness in the area.

Denver Activists, Homeless Residents Want City to End Salvation Army Contracts

By Bennito L. Kelty

Apr 9, 2025

"They need to go, even their Santa Claus ringing bells and collecting money outside grocery stores for them."

split image of two people with trays of food

From Restaurant to Nonprofit, the Preservery Is Still Feeding the Community

By Teague Bohlen

Mar 18, 2025

Whitney and Obe Ariss ran their RiNo eatery for six years before the pandemic prompted a pivot to serving those in need.

A group of people stands behind a large sculpture.

Picking Up the Pieces: Upcoming Understudy Exhibition a Collaboration Between Local Artist and Formerly Homeless Adults

By Kristen Fiore

Mar 11, 2025

A collaboration between Emma Balder and St. Francis residents bridges the gap between stigmatized communities and society.

The Point in Time volunteer tallies a homeless person's tent.

Denver Tallies Homeless Population for Latest Point in Time Count

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jan 28, 2025

A tally of thousands of homeless residents took place last night across the Denver area for the annual Point in Time count.

Small shed-like houses are part of the La Paz micro-community.

Denver Micro-Communities Struggle to Get People Off the Street

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jan 14, 2025

Micro-communities are responsible for less than one-tenth of the 860 people who've found permanent housing through city programs since 2023, data shows.

Aurora Mayor's Op-Ed Clouds Johnston's Victory Lap for 2024 Denver Goals

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jan 6, 2025

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston wanted to focus on reaching some of his 2024 goals with homelessness and violence, but he couldn't ignore the elephant in the room.

The former DoubleTree Hotel at 4040 Quebec Street

Denver Homeless Shelters Need More Security and Transparent Spending, Audit Says

By Bennito L. Kelty

Nov 21, 2024

“These issues need to be addressed, because vulnerable populations are at risk."

Denver Spent $138 Million in Two Years to Rent, Lease Hotels for Homeless and Migrants

By Bennito L. Kelty

Nov 15, 2024

Since January 2023, the City of Denver has purchased three hotels and leased three more to address homelessness, but the strategy started before that.

La Alma Still Struggling With Homelessness After Downtown Sweeps in 2023

By Bennito L. Kelty

Nov 8, 2024

"The problem is still here, and it appears to pop up in different locations periodically."

Reported Homeless Encampments in Denver Down Nearly 50 Percent

By Bennito L. Kelty

Oct 31, 2024

Denver's 311 service recorded more than 22,000 complaints regarding encampments in 2023. This year, that number is on pace to drop by around 10,000.

man standing in front of a window that says "coffee that fuels change"

Aurora's Newest Coffee Shop Is Combating Homelessness One Cup at a Time

By Audrey Ferrer

Oct 30, 2024

The London-based company debuted its second U.S. cafe and training facility on October 29 and plans to expand to Denver in 2025.

A man listens to another speak to a crowd.

Learning the Right Lessons From the Denver Basic Income Project

By David Anderson

Oct 27, 2024

"At the ten-month follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in their housing status."

Denver Basic Income Project Wants to Continue Despite Loss of City Funding

By Bennito L. Kelty

Oct 11, 2024

The Denver Basic Income Project will halt giving low-income and homeless residents free monthly cash payments, but the founder hopes to bring it back.

West Colfax Gets $250,000 to Counter Rising Homelessness, Crime Issues

By Bennito L. Kelty

Oct 8, 2024

Residents have been complaining about homelessness, drug use and nudity in their neighborhood throughout the year.

Homeless resident Josh Rush looks for a place to get warm.

The Challenges of Preventing and Tracking Suicides Among Denver Homeless

By Bennito L. Kelty

Sep 9, 2024

Personal stories aren't uncommon, but keeping track of homeless individuals who take their own lives has proven difficult.

Man with long hair and beard gives interview

Reader: I Hope People Who Victim-Blame the Homeless Read the Tragic Story of Joe Henry

By Westword Readers

Sep 1, 2024

Three weeks after he was fired by the Brown Palace, the homeless handyman took his life.

Homelessness

Former Inmates Demand Nonprofit Shelter Stay Open

Readers Respond to Mayor's Homelessness Status Report

Homelessness

Former Inmates Demand Nonprofit Shelter Stay Open

Readers Respond to Mayor's Homelessness Status Report

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