What is happening on the streets of Denver?
Every night between 1,200-2,000 people sleep on the streets. Denver is waging a cruel and futile war on these human beings who have nowhere else to go by violently evicting, or 'sweeping' their lives in an endless cycle of waste and suffering. The ugly orange fencing, rocks filling public spaces, and steel planters filled with only dirt and rocks are a testament to how much Mayor Hancock and the city of Denver detest the people who need their help most.
34
Sweeps total in 2020
105
Sweeps already in 2021
122
Sweeps on pace for 2021
$2.3M
Projected costs for 2021
WHERE DO WE GO?
Unhoused citizens are forced to move to another block only to be swept again in a few weeks. Frequently citizens will begin to move back onto the same block just one day after a sweep. The city continues to shuffle the unhoused around solving nothing, wasting taxpayer money, and creating cruel and unnecessary hardship.
Photos: John Staughton
DONT WANT FOLKS LIVING ON THE STREET?
GIVE THEM SOMEWHERE TO GO!
WHAt can be done?
In the long term Denver MUST prioritize affordable housing to keep pace with luxury development.
But in the short term 3 simple things can prevent this cruelty and minimize disruption to neighborhoods.
STOP THE SWEEPS
Tell the mayor to end this painful and wasteful process IMMEDIATELY.
DESigNATED CAMPING AREAS
Unhoused people have to be SOMEWHERE. The city can and must provide designated areas to camp in.
Sanitation
Providing trash and bathroom services would eliminate many of the problems associated with unsanctioned camps.