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COMMUNITY FEATURE WESTERN COLORADO REELING FROM CLOSURE OF SHELTER STORY BY JACOB RICHARDS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, people who are homeless in Grand Junction, Colorado, received news that almost nobody expected. Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley’s North Avenue Emergency Shelter did not open its doors for the first time since 1998. That same day, a record-setting rainstorm moved into the valley and dropped more rain than the area had seen in a two-day period for more than 50 years. On an average night, the shelter provides beds for 140 people. The shelter serves a staggeringly large geographic area— from the resort towns of Aspen and Telluride to rural communities like Delta and Rangely. “We are the largest homeless shelter between Denver and Salt Lake City,” said Doug Clayton, chair of the directors of Homeward Bound. “We serve clients from 14 counties,” he added. On the evening before the closure, Homeward Bound announced to guests and other service providers that starting the very next day, the North Avenue Shelter would be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings moving forward “indefinitely.” Guests received about 24 hours’ notice of the changes. “First I heard of it was when I came to check in,” said Sarah, an older woman drying her sleeping bag in a tree during a brief break in the clouds. “I don’t usually sleep there, but I was hoping to avoid this damn rain.” Some people weathered the first night of closure at nearby park shelters, and others under a bridge. According to a 2024 Unhoused Needs Survey Report produced by the city, Grand Junction has the highest rate of homelessness in any city in Colorado, 14% higher than Denver and 165% higher than Colorado Springs. Before the closure, there was already a “desperate need for more beds,” said City Council member Scott Belifuss. “How many will lose jobs, violate parole, end up in jail, get sick, or stop taking their mental health meds?” said Eric Niederkruger, a long-time advocate for the unhoused. “What will that cost?” he added. The closure sent more than just those displaced scrambling. “We are in the process of looking under every stone for funding,” said Clayton. “If someone, some generous soul, could write a check for $150,000, we could return to seven days a week service, through the end of 2025.” City officials have been reaching out to leaders at the state level for funding, and Beilfuss confirmed that he and other city officials have been in touch with Senator Michael Bennett about the situation in Grand Junction. Federal budget cuts are ultimately the cause of the closure. One consequential grant that the North Avenue Shelter has received, year in year out, has been the Emergency Solutions Grant administered by the State of Colorado but funded at the federal level through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which did not come through this year. Concerned citizens have been contacting the city asking them to declare a “state of emergency,” and service providers have reached out to see if the local camping ban could be suspended, according to Belifuss. “The city said ‘The police can’t not enforce the ordinance, but they can be understanding of what’s going on,’” said Beilfuss. “The city is monitoring this situation, and I know it’s on the minds of our city council,” said Grand Junction Police Chief Matt Smith. “I would not call [the unhoused individuals] criminals, but they have been placed in a more vulnerable position with the temporary shelter closures.” “The present council doesn’t really want to be in the homeless business,” said Beilfuss. The city is unlikely to bail out the shelter. “Homeward Bound might get some help from the city, but it will be minimal,” Beilfuss added. “Our main concern is the people,” said Clayton, “and to turn 130-150 people back out on the streets, especially just as the weather gets really cold, we could lose people– they could die on the streets.” Efforts were made with area partners to find shelter for a couple dozen of the most vulnerable. “Saint Joseph’s took in 10 people, I believe,” said Beilfuss. Others were housed at the Pathways Family Shelter, also run by Homeward Bound, but unaffected by the partial closure. “We need to circle the wagons here and see how we can keep serving the needs of… this vulnerable population as best as we can for as long as we can,” said Clayton. Adding that a new grant cycle begins in the new year, and that “there are good things on the horizon, but for right now we are kind of in a pinch.” Homeward Bound hopes to use the savings from the partial closures, almost $13,000 per week, to have those funds on hand to ensure they can open for the coldest parts of the coming winter. “[The closure] is very impactful to the community,” said Clayton. “Business owners [will see] increased homeless traffic in their area of business; it affects hospitals, emergency responders, and it impacts the police department with additional callouts.” “I would say [Grand Junction is] on our own, and I would say people know that,” said Beilfuss. “We are going to have to dig in and figure something out.” THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THANKSGIVING RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE another holiday season is here. Thanksgiving is this month, and I just wanted to share some thoughts about it. Holidays can be difficult – especially when you have a lot of pain or health issues, have lost of family members, or you don’t have enough money to think about Thanksgiving. Remember that people, even poor people, will share what little they have. If you’re not aware of what’s going on, food prices are going up, and it’s getting harder to find housing. I know people who are homeless on the streets or staying in shelters, not knowing how safe they are. I just hope that during the holidays, people will try to reach out with kindness to one family or one senior citizen that they know. If you try to lift somebody this holiday season with a little kindness, it will go a long way. (You never know how your thoughtful words could change their life.) I am thankful today that I pretty much have my health back after dealing with cancer. It wiped a lot of energy out of me, that’s for sure. I’m thankful that I do have family members who are now living in Colorado, and that hopefully, I’ll get to see them this holiday season. Being by yourself on the holidays is the hardest thing to survive, and it’s worse if you’re homeless. People long to have a place where they can shut the door and know they’re safe. They’re always longing for food to eat when they need it. They long for someone to show them kindness or compassion. It’s hard to survive in this world today. I pray that all children can get good food this holiday season, maybe even a toy or two, at Christmas time. I hope every person who’s homeless can find a home quickly. When you pray, don’t forget to give thanks for all of those less fortunate than you, and, if you’re able to give just a little of what you have to somebody this holiday season, it could be the best gift ever for your spirit when you see the joy on the other person’s face. Donate to charities that you know are going to help the homeless. If you can, donate to the Denver VOICE, because at Christmas time, they give gift cards to the vendors to get the essentials they need, as well as holiday items that lift our spirits at a time when we can easily feel let down. I just want to thank you for taking the time to read this article. I pray you have the best Thanksgiving ever! 4 DENVER VOICE November 2025

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