Denver Expands Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Plans

The City and County of Denver announced in September that it will provide more robust options for people experiencing homelessness during cold weather.

Under the new cold weather shelter plan, Denver will provide around the clock emergency shelter when there is a forecasted overnight low temperature of 25 degrees or two inches of snow accumulation. The previous threshold was 20 degrees, and shelter was offered from evening to the following morning. The city will also increase shelter capacity, meal services, and access to transportation.

The city projects the revised plan will increase the availability of cold weather shelter from around 40 days per season to more than 80. The new strategy is based on a prior proposal from Council Members Sarah Parady, Paul Kashmann, Jamie Torres, and Shontel M. Lewis.  Read the full press release here.