In the News

April 28, 2013
Significant Problem that is Growing
The Pueblo Chieftain–Anthony Mestas
The facilities at the former Fort Lyon Correctional Facility east of town would be ready to go if a comprehensive plan to repurpose it were to pass the state Senate, the president of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless said.

April 23, 2013
The Right Thing
The Pueblo Chieftain–Editorial
A bill to restore the one-time VA hospital and later state prison in Bent County to its mission of helping military veterans was passed by a sweeping 49-13 bipartisan vote in the House last week. The state plans to contract with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which has an excellent record of helping the homeless to become productive citizens.

April 22, 2013
Critics: Ft. Lyon Plan is a Step Backward
Colorado Public Radio–Eric Whitney
State lawmakers from both parties are getting behind a bill that promises to ease two persistent problems: urban homelessness, and rural unemployment. To John Parvensky, President of Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Ft Lyon looks like opportunity. An opportunity for the state to start spending some money on the homeless.

April 21, 2013
Some Colorado Lawmakers Skeptical about Homeless Bill Backed by Hickenlooper
The Denver Post–Kurtis Lee
A pair of leading Democratic lawmakers are pushing back on a bill staunchly supported by Gov. John Hickenlooper to repurpose part of an old, rural prison campus as a residential facility for the state's homeless. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless would administer the program.

April 4, 2013
Why the Denver Cruisers Put the Brakes on a Homeless-Themed Ride
Westword
On Monday, Brad Evans sent out an April Fools' Day note to his large e-mail list—something he does every year—with a fake lineup for this summer's rides, which will start on May 15. The homeless costume theme line-up included "Shopping Carts & Sleeping Bags, What Smells Like Piss? And Alleys, Gutters & Garbage Cans." By mid-day Monday, Evans had already received more than one hundred e-mails about his prank, including one from the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

April 4, 2013
Hotels Hiding the Homeless
National Public Radio–Michel Martin
You may think you know who is homeless and where they live, but think again. Some homeless families are finding shelter in a surprising place: hotels. Host Michel Martin talks with Monica Potts, who's covered this issue for The American Prospect magazine. Potts moved into a hotel in Wheat Ridge, Colorado to report on the families living there. According to Potts, one family had a plan. They were working with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and they're actually out now and they're in an apartment.

March 31, 2013
New Purpose for a National Treasure
The Pueblo Chieftain–Bill Long
A bill offering hope and opportunity for homeless veterans and the chronically homeless will bring new life and a renewed purpose to the historic Fort Lyon facility located near Las Animas in Southeastern Colorado. Maintenance and operating costs at Fort Lyon, based on the actual operating costs of the Department of Corrections, would be $6.74 per square foot. By comparison, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless estimates the cost to offer similar services in metro Denver would be $27 per square foot.

March 28, 2013
Reed Construction Data Announces One-Day Blitz Build to Help Change Lives for the Homeless in Denver
Digital Journal–PRWeb
AEC Cares will make something very special happen in Denver this June when it brings together leading industry professionals for a project to help the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Working with Reed Construction Data, the AIA and Hanley Wood, "Project Denver" will mobilize architects, manufacturers and construction professionals to renovate the Coalition's Beacon Place—a Denver facility that provides housing and health care assistance to homeless and disabled men and women. The project will take place on June 19, 2013.

March 2, 2013
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is on Mental Health
The Denver Post–Donald J. Mares
Congress' stubborn partisanship brought us "sequestration"—automatic cuts that could devastate Colorado's already underfunded mental health system. Trusted organizations like Mental Health Center of Denver, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Mercy Housing may very well have to slash their budgets and turn away thousands of people who desperately need help, but won't get it.

February 20, 2013
Culinary Events: Monthly BOGO Deal at Pizza Fusion
Westword–Patrick Langlois
Pizza Fusion, 571 East Colfax Avenue, is promoting "Social Justice Day" by offering a buy-one-get-one deal today.

February 17, 2013
Fort Lyon
The Pueblo Chieftain–Editorial
Governor John Hickenlooper's chief of staff, Roxane White, has been working on the plan for Fort Lyon, which would establish a treatment and training facility for 30 homeless people, mostly veterans. The state plans to contract with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless which, according to Ms. White, has an excellent record of helping the homeless to become productive citizens.

February 5, 2013
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Breaks Ground on New Affordable Housing and Integrated Healthcare Center
RealEstateRama–Colorado RealEstateRama
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has broken ground on the new Stout Street Health Center and Renaissance Stout Street Lofts at 22nd and Stout Streets in Downtown Denver. This landmark property will blend a fully integrated health care center serving homeless and at-risk families and individuals with seventy-eight units of affordable, supportive housing. The expected completion date is April 2014.

 

January 30, 2013
U.S. Bank Provides $38M Financing for Denver Homeless Facility
Denver Business Journal–Heather Draper
U.S. Bank has extended $38 million in financing to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless for its new Stout Street Health Center and Renaissance Stout Street Lofts, a mixed-use five-story development in downtown Denver.

January 12, 2013
Rich's Tackling Homelessness in Colorado: "Making Change with Change" Program Thriving
Rich's
Little more than a year ago, Rich's associate Dave Packer watched a news program highlighting a widespread homelessness epidemic. Today, Packer has actively engaged himself, and Rich Products, in efforts to be a part of the solution. Partnering with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Packer delivers on the Rich Promise to care for communities and people, 'like only a family can.'  
     
December 27, 2012
Programs Help Homeless Brush Themselves Off, Move On
The Denver Post–Jason Pohl
Glenn McCoy says when he was living out of a grungy metro-area motel, and making admittedly poor choices, he was stuck on the fringes of society. Then, two years ago, he joined Creativity Hour—a Colorado Coalition for the Homeless program that provides art supplies, community support and guidance in weekly, semi-structured art therapy sessions—and changed his life, one stitch at a time.
Online Article

December 19, 2012
Denver Public Schools a Lifeline for Hundreds of Families in Need
CBS Denver—Lauren Whitney
After bouncing between shelters and motels, the family most recently lived in Room 112 of the Gateway Motel on Colorado Boulevard. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless was eventually able to help Dena Lewis and her family find transitional housing, but in the interim Lewis found support from the Denver Public Schools.
Online Article

December 19, 2012
Homeless Vigil Set for Tonight on the Steps of Denver's City Hall, Will Honor 140 Dead
The Denver Post—Jeremy Meyer
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless will host the 23rd annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. tonight at the Denver City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street.
Online Article

December 19, 2012
Family and Friends Remember 147 Homeless Deaths in Denver
The Denver Post—Jordan Steffen
On Wednesday night, Shannon Hogan lit a candle and remembered her father and his kindness. Hogan was one of nearly 100 people who gathered outside the Denver City and County Building for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless' 23rd annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil.
Online Article

December 14, 2012
Pizza Joint Changing Lives with Tasty Lessons
CBS 4 Denver–Suzanne McCarroll
Pizza Fusion on Colfax at Pearl is more than a pizza joint, it’s a job training program funded by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Online Article and Video

December 5, 2012
Will Denver's Homeless Women be Left in the Cold?
Westword–Sam Levin
It's Saturday, the sun has just risen, and Julie Hale and eighteen other women have been waiting for over an hour to find out if they are going to have beds that night at a church that provides emergency shelter for homeless women. She got a bed the night before, but Saturdays are more competitive.
Online Article

December 5, 2012
Colorado Gives Day Raises Approximately $15 Million for 1,258 Colorado Nonprofits
Enhanced Online News
Colorado Gives Day 2012 received approximately 68,000 donations—an increase of 30 percent over last year's 52,226 donations. Significant contributions were made to human services organizations such as Denver Rescue Mission, Food Bank of the Rockies, Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and The Action Center. One donor contributed more than $44,000 to 96 different charities.
Online Article

December 4, 2012
Death Toll for Homeless Found on Denver Streets Nears 700 Since 2000
The Denver Post–Kirk Mitchell
677 homeless people ended up in the Denver coroner's office in the past dozen years. Most arrived there as a consequence of drug and alcohol abuse. One died just minutes after birth; one was 90 years old. Most died at the average age of 46, according to the database maintained by Michelle Weiss-Samaras, spokeswoman for the Denver coroner's office. That's roughly 34 years less than the average Colorado resident can expect to live.
Online Article

November 7, 2012
Home for the Holidays
Colorado365–Michelle Lydin
On the eve of the holiday season, there are many memories that come to mind with going home for the holidays. Whether you have excitement to go home or anxiety that builds up with the holiday festivities, we must remember to take a step back to realize the blessing in being able to go home.
Online Article

November 7, 2012
Dine Out for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Today
Westword–Patrick Langlois
Dining Out for the Homeless takes place today at various restaurants throughout Denver. Participating establishments will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Online Article

November 5, 2012
5K Event Helps Bring Families Home for the Holidays
The Denver Post, YourHub–Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Avid runners, families, spirited teams, and even dogs ran, jogged or walked across the finish line to raise more than $46,000 for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Online Article

November 4, 2012
Scudamore, Goldberg Win 4th Annual Home for the Holidays 5K
Colorado Runner–Amanda Hodges
Spirits were high as almost 600 participants took part in the 4th Annual Home for the Holidays 5K race on Saturday morning at City Park in Denver. The race was organized and hosted by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and raised funds to support homeless Colorado families and individuals this winter.
Online Article

October 24, 2012
Community Development from the Ground Up
US Department of Housing and Urban Development–Charlene Guzman
Community development is a key component in meeting HUD's goal of improving quality of life for all Americans. In Denver, there has been a concerted effort to become more deliberate in meeting the housing needs of the community.
Online Article

October 23, 2012
Future of Fort Lyon Treatment Center Remains Uncertain
The Gazette–Jakob Rodgers
Plans to transform the former Fort Lyon Correctional Facility into a center for veterans and the chronically homeless are on hold while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mulls approving about 40 housing vouchers, said Roxane White, chief of staff to Governor John Hickenlooper.
Online Article

October 11, 2012
Colfax the West's "Golden Road" Regaining Lost Luster
Urban Land Institute
A quarter mile (0.4 km) from the Capitol, Renaissance Uptown Lofts is a new 99-unit, $12 million project with 7,000 square feet (650 sq m) of retail space. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless developed the project, which has units averaging 570 square feet (53 sq m) for low-income and formerly homeless individuals and families.
Online Article

October 3, 2012
Extrospection
Kabbalah Experience
This past Sunday we celebrated "back to school" brunch at the home of Nancy Steele and our students brought canned goods to donate to Jewish Family Service. We were fortunate to listen to Louise Boris, the Chief Program Officer for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Online Article

October 1, 2012
31 Days of Impact - Day 1, Kimberly Cain
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
When I first realized that something wasn't right with my breast, I knew that I needed to take action. In addition to my fear that I may have breast cancer, I was uninsured and knew that I could not afford proper health services. I was familiar with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, an organization with a mission to help end homelessness in my city, but I didn't know that they provided lifesaving health services funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Online Article

August 31, 2012
Top 5 Pizza Places in Denver
About.com Guide–Nina Snyder
While Denver can't lay fame to a distinctive pizza style like Chicago or New York, there are plenty of choices for satisfying pizza in the Mile High City. From the generous slices at Benny Blanco's to the organic pies at Pizza Fusion, Denver has something for every pizza lover.
Online Article

August 11, 2012
Homeless Children Get Back to School Boost
CBS 4 Denver–Evrod Cassimy
Free school supplies and services were handed out to some students in the Denver metro area on Saturday. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Healthy Kids Fair helped some children get ready for the classroom at the Stout Street Clinic.
Online Article

August 11, 2012
Homeless Kids Get Ready for School
Colorado Public Radio–Eric Whitney
Families across Colorado are hitting back to school sales, getting sports physicals and updating immunizations before classes start in a few weeks. But for the growing number of homeless families in Colorado, those tasks can be difficult or impossible. The population of homeless kids enrolled in the state's public schools jumped 20% last year over the previous school year—to nearly 23,000.
Online Article

July 31, 2012
Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Air Force Volunteers Join Forces to Help the Homeless
Denver Post–Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is pleased to announce that the Denver Center for Performing Arts donated enough furniture to outfit over 20 apartment homes at its Renaissance West End Flats. Twenty-seven Wyoming-based Air Force volunteers from flight 790 MSFS Convoy Response Forces moved the furniture today, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Online Article

June 27, 2012
West End Flats and Health Center Bring 101 Low-Income Units, Clinic
Westword–Kelsey Whipple
In the past week, Denver has welcomed the creation of almost 200 units of low-income housing for families and former members of the city's homeless community. Today, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless marked the grand opening of the $17 million Renaissance West End Flats and West End Health Center—101 apartments and a 5,500 square-foot clinic.
Online Article

May 24, 2012
Denver Police Train for Implementation of Homeless-Camping Ban
Denver police have been training all week to prepare for the homeless-camping ban, which goes into effect Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, about 50 officers crowded into a meeting room to learn about the legalities and how the law should be implemented.
Online Article
Read the Denver Police Department's Training Bulletin

May 6, 2012
Denver Suburbs Brace for Camping Ban
Denver Post–Carlos Illescas
Denver's homeless-camping ban, intended to clean up the downtown core, may export the city's problem to suburban communities. If the City Council gives the measure final approval, the homeless-camping ban would take effect at the end of the month. And experts say many of the more than 5,000 homeless men and women in Denver will head for friendlier grounds. The South Platte River will be the likely conduit, a favorite amenity for the homeless because of its intricate web of trails, water supply and cover, making for prime camp spots.
Online Article

May 6, 2012
Denver Camping Ban Debate Brings Complex Issue, Faltering Initiative into the Light
Denver Post–Jeremy P. Meyer
Doug Anderson grabbed his cell phone to call the police and ran to the front of his restaurant upon hearing that a homeless man was sleeping in the entryway just as the bakery had opened for the day. It was 6 a.m., and freshly brewed coffee awaited while bagels baked in the oven at the Hi Rise bakery on Larimer Street.
Online Article

May 6, 2012
Survey: Unsheltered Homelessness Soars in Denver
Denver Business Journal–Denver Business Journal
An annual survey shows an increase of the Denver area's homeless population from a year earlier, with the number of homeless people sleeping without shelter more than doubling. The annual "Homeless Point-In-Time Study" has been produced by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative since 1998. The study is compiled on a single night—in this case, Jan. 23, 2012—by staffers from various agencies and volunteers who fan our around the area, counting and interviewing homeless people.
Online Article

May 2, 2012
Denver Ban on Homeless Camping Advances in Council
Denver Post–Jeremy P. Meyer
At about 1:40 Tuesday morning after an eight-hour Denver City Council meeting, Council President Chris Nevitt rapped the gavel to end a memorable session that featured a spirited debate with scores of residents about homelessness in Denver.
Online Article

May 2, 2012
Homeless Clinic Looking to Grow
Colorado Public Radio–Eric Whitney
A health clinic for the homeless in Denver is getting a big boost for its ambitious expansion plans, in the form of a $5 million federal grant. It’s part of $22 million the White House announced it’s sending some Colorado safety net clinics on Tuesday.
Listen to the Story

May 1, 2012
Colorado Community Health Centers Win $22 Million for Major Expansion Grants
The Denver Post–Michael Booth
Ten community health centers in Colorado won $22 million in major grants Tuesday from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, as the clinics align themselves for rapid patient growth under reform efforts.
Online Article

May 1, 2012
Photos: Denver City Council Preliminarily Passes Urban Camping Ban
Westword–Kelsey Whipple
Before last night's epic Denver City Council meeting started, and well before its members voted nine to four to preliminarily approve the proposed urban camping ordinance, the line for public attendance stretched far outside the City and County Building. Many of these people left during the following seven hours of a meeting scheduled to last two, meaning that those numbers slimmed down noticeably by the council's final decision, reached a little after 1:30 a.m.
Online Article

April 30, 2012
Denver's Proposed Camping Ban Passes Council on First Reading
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
A divided Denver City Council voted early this morning to preliminarily approve a homeless camping ban after almost five hours of discussion and testimony that ended after the vote at 1:35 a.m. The council meeting drew hundreds of people seeking to comment during a two-hour courtesy public hearing that filled the council chambers and forced a separate room to be opened for the overflow.
Online Article

April 26, 2012
Colorado Extends Medicaid to Some Adults without Kids
National Public Radio Health Blog–Eric Whitney
Dale Miller spends his days on the streets of downtown Denver selling a newspaper called The Homeless Voice. He's been having some health problems, but he can't afford to see a doctor on the $10 to $15 a day he makes selling papers. A local charity clinic called the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless recently helped him get a CT scan at no cost to him. Miller fully understands, though, that someone has to pay for his care.
Listen to the Story

April 25, 2012
Denver Committee Sends Homeless-Camping Ban to Full Council
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
A Denver City Council committee Tuesday chose not to delay action on a homeless-camping ban, moving the bill out of committee to the council floor despite pleas from homeless advocates to wait a month.
Online Article

April 24, 2012
Denver’s Proposed Camping Ban Heading to Full City Council
CBS4 Local–Matthew Buettner
Denver’s proposed camping ban is now heading to the full city council. On Tuesday a council committee heard testimony on the ordinance.
Online Article and Video
April 24, 2012
Amid Debate, Denver City Council Considers Homeless Camping Ordinance
9News–Dave Delozier
Jessica McIntire isn't an elected official. She doesn't have a title with an advocacy group. She doesn't even have a home. For the past two months, the 28-year-old has lived on the streets of Denver. She is concerned that an ordinance being considered by Denver's City Council would make her, not only homeless, but also a criminal.
Online Article and Video

April 24, 2012
Urban Camping Ban: Denver City Council Delays Vote—For a Week
Westword–Kelsey Whipple
Today, after the Commission on Homelessness called for an additional four weeks to consider an urban camping ordinance, Denver City Council moved its final consideration date to May 14, one week later than previously scheduled. The decision came with a final vote of four to three. If approved, the bill would be signed by Mayor Michael Hancock the next day and go into effect on May 29 following two weeks of outreach.
Online Article

April 22, 2012
Effect of Camping Bans Debated as Denver Considers Ordinance
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
Denver has spent nearly $60 million in the past seven years to end homelessness. Yet even with that massive effort, there are increasing numbers of people on the street. That dynamic is what led city officials to consider joining the ranks of many cities across the United States that have banned camping—and ignited the vigorous debate over whether such a move "criminalizes" homelessness.
Online Article

April 20, 2012
City Asked to Delay Ban on Homeless Camping
9News–Jeffrey Wolff
Denver's Commission on Homelessness is asking city councilors to slow down a proposed ban on homeless camping for at least a month. Commission members are worried because the proposal comes at a time when funding for social services is being cut and shelter space is declining.
View the Video

April 19, 2012
Denver Commission Calls for Delay in Introduction of Proposed Homeless Camping Ban
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
Denver's Commission on Homelessness on Thursday rebuffed the mayor and asked the City Council to delay any action on a proposed homeless camping ban for at least a month so its impacts could be discussed.
Online Article

April 18, 2012
Denver Police Chief: Few Homeless Face Arrest if Camping Ban Passes
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
Denver police say they would probably make few arrests under a proposed law that would forbid unauthorized camping in the city as a way to deal with the increasing number of homeless people. Advocates for the homeless aren't buying Denver Police Chief Robert White's idea of how police will enforce the controversial ordinance, which has yet to be formally introduced.
Online Article

April 17, 2012
Both Sides Pack Hearing to Ban Camping in Denver
CBS4 Local–Matthew Buettner
Are they criminals or merely homeless? A Denver Health and Safety committee got an earful about a proposed plan that would ban unauthorized camping in Denver.
Online Article

April 17, 2012
Camping-ban Fight Intensifies as ACLU asks Denver to Nix Measure
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
The battle over a proposed law that would ban unauthorized camping in Denver is heating up, even before the ordinance has cleared the City Council's committee process. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado sent a letter to City Council members, asking them to reject the measure, which they say criminalizes homelessness.
Online Article

April 16, 2012
Urban Camping Ban: Albus Brooks Calls it an Emergency
Westword–Kelsey Whipple
The urban camping ban, currently scheduled for a May 7 city council vote, is moving too quickly for Denver neighborhood leaders. On Saturday, the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation urged the council to push its decision back until past May 12, when the group will discuss it internally.
Online Article

April 13, 2012
Colorado Advocates Organize to Oppose Denver Camping Ban
National Low Income Housing Coalition
Homeless and affordable housing advocates in Colorado are urging Denver city council members to withdraw a proposed ordinance that would ban unauthorized camping on public and private properties. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), an NLIHC state partner, leads the campaign, which also calls on lawmakers to develop a strategy to increase treatment services and permanent supportive and affordable housing.
Online Article

April 7, 2012
Denver Turns on its Citizens
Brian Davis, Director of Community Organizing, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
It all sounds so nice and innocent until you actually begin to think of the implications. The City of Denver is going down the path of making it illegal to be homeless downtown.
Online Article

The Denver Post–John Parvensky, President, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
A proposed Denver city ordinance banning unauthorized "camping" would criminalize survival activities for persons experiencing homelessness. This would essentially criminalize the status of being homeless even though there are no adequate or appropriate alternatives for them.
Online Article

April 4, 2012
Urban Camping Ban: Denver's Road Home Outlines a Violations Response Plan
Westword–Kelsey Whipple
Packed with opposition in orange "Homes Not Handcuffs" buttons, yesterday's City Council committee meeting initiated the first public discussion of Denver's proposed, hotly debated urban camping ban. With the proposal come as many accusations as questions, many of them involving concerns it could criminalize the city's homeless population.
Online Article

April 4, 2012
Critics, Supporters, Pack Denver City Council Illegal Camping Hearing
Denver Post–Kurtis Lee
More than 100 supporters and opponents of a proposed ordinance that would "ban unauthorized camping" in Denver crammed into a committee room at the city and county building this morning, to hear information on the legislation.
Online Article


April 3, 2012
Denver Council Discusses Camping Ban
Colorado Public Radio–Mike Lamp
A proposed ban on sleeping in public gets a first hearing in Denver's City Council Tuesday. The measure is meant to address concerns over an increasingly visible homeless population, but critics say Denver's proposed camping ban would make criminals out of people who have no other place to go.
Online Article

April 3, 2012
Urban Camping Ban Heats Up Packed City Council Committee Meeting
Westword–Kelsey Whipple
"Everyone take a deep breath." So began today's first public meeting about the proposed urban camping ban, organized by City Council's Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in front of a group so large it breached fire code. While organizers stressed its purpose as an informational meeting—many more are scheduled throughout April—one piece of information continued to gather attention: There are nowhere near enough beds to shelter those the ban would oust.
Online Article

Effort to Give Occupy Denver Campers the Boot Goes Before City Council
Fox31 Denver–Eli Stokols
Opponents of a proposed ban on urban camping, an effort to finally clear out the Occupy Denver encampment in Civic Center Park, packed a Denver City Council hearing on the ordinance Tuesday morning. Many of them wore orange buttons that read “Homes Not Handcuffs.”
Online Article

April 2, 2012
State Launches Historic Medicaid Expansion
Colorado Public Radio–Eric Whitney
There are 650,000 people on Medicaid in Colorado, about 13% of the state population, but the publicly-funded health program doesn’t cover everyone who’s poor. Just because a person has no income doesn’t mean he or she can get Medicaid. In Colorado, the program is only available to children, pregnant women and some elderly and disabled people. That’s about to change.
Listen to the Story

KGNU's Morning Magazine Speaks with John Parvensky about the Proposed "Camping Ban" Ordinance
KGNU–Joel Edelstein
Denver, Colorado—A proposal to ban so-called unauthorized camping in Denver is under consideration by the Denver City Council.
Listen to the Interview (9:26-15:45)


March 28, 2012
Sides Drawn on Proposed Denver Camping Ban
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
A proposal to ban unauthorized camping in Denver's city limits to deal with increasing numbers of homeless people sleeping on the streets has riled those on opposing sides of the issue even before the City Council has discussed the yet-to-be-filed measure.
Online Article

March 27, 2012
Denver Targets Illegal Camping; Critics Call it a Bid to Criminalize Homelessness
The Denver Post–Jeremy Meyer
In an effort to deal with increasing numbers of the homeless on Denver's streets, the City Council is expected to consider an ordinance that would "ban unauthorized camping" throughout the city.
Online Article

March 19, 2012
Officials Look at Fort Lyon as Housing for Homeless Veterans
Bent County Democrat Online–Donna Ford-Ferrell
With $5 million in “seed money,” the Fort Lyon facility could begin the process of being revitalized—this time as a housing facility for homeless veterans. The Bent County Development Foundation heard Pat Coyle of the Division of Housing for Colorado on March 7 map out the plan. The project would be aimed at getting homeless Veterans off the streets and back into America’s mainstream.
Online Article

February 28, 2012
New Cop Shops Popping up in West Denver
The Denver Post, YourHub–Matthew Rodriguez
Denver Police officials plan to open a volunteer “cop shop” in District 1 by the end of the month in a Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corp. complex for homeless and low-income veterans near Federal Boulevard and 27th Avenue. In addition, a second cop shop is slated to open this spring in a Colorado Coalition for the Homeless building at West Colfax Avenue and Zenobia Street.
Online Article

February 18, 2012
Pizza Fusion: Denver's Amazing Vegan Friendly Pizzeria
TheExaminer.com–Jill Harrigan
Are you up-to-date on the vegan friendly restaurant scene in Denver? If you don't already have this written down, you've got to add Pizza Fusion to your list!
Online Article

February 2012
Community Developments Investments Cost-Efficient Housing and Jobs in Denver
Office of the Comptroller of Currency, US Department of the Treasury
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is actively expanding its Renaissance Housing Model program—despite the tough economy and sluggish housing market. The program provides supportive and affordable housing for families and individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income working people who otherwise might not be able to afford quality housing in desirable locations.
Online Article

February 9, 2012
9Who Care Winner Susie Berry Helps Hundreds See Clearly
9News - Mark Koebrich
Once a month, Susie Berry volunteers her time at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. In one day, she will help around 20 people pick out glasses, she'll fit them and order them.
View the Video and Online Article

February 7, 2012
Denver’s Fight to End Homelessness Needs More Funding
CBS4, CBS Local - Matthew Buettner
Denver’s fight to end homelessness is need of more funding to continue providing services. A city contract with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless could be extended if the city council approves the allocation of $350,000.
Online Article

February 3, 2012
Kids Sell Hot Chocolate for Charity
9News - Mark Koebrich and Jeffrey Wolf
Call it a wintertime version of a lemonade stand—five kids called it Chocolate for Charity. They had a lot of fun and raised money for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
View the Video

January 18, 2012
Gabby Gourmet's New Places for Pizza
7News Gabby Gourmet - Pat Miller
Pat Miller, the Gabby Gourmet, introduces viewers to new restaurants specializing in pizza including the Coalition's Pizza Fusion.
View the Video

January 16, 2012
Fox Dining Guide: Downtown and Around the Capitol
The Colorado Statesman - Jay Fox
Pizza Fusion: If saving the Earth is important to you, probably better start eating here regularly. If it isn’t important, try it anyway.
Online Article

January, 2012
155 Things to Do This Year
5280: The Denver Magazine - Lindsey B. Koehler
5280 Magazine names Colorado Coalition for the Homeless's Home for the Holidays Dine Out event one of the top things every Denverite must do.
View PDF

December 22, 2011
Guest Commentary: Sad Display at Vigil for Homeless Who Died
The Denver Post - John M. Kefalas
Tuesday evening, I shed tears three times while attending the Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil in front of the Denver City and County Building.
Online Article

December 20, 2011
Occupy Denver Disrupts Vigil to Honor Homeless Who Have Died, Refuse to Allow Mayor to Speak

The Denver Post - Joey Bunch
A traditionally solemn candlelight vigil for people who died on Denver's streets was disrupted tonight by a loud, angry Occupy Denver group.
Online Article

December 14, 2011
New Federal Homelessness Stats Contradict Experience on Denver's Streets
The Denver Post - Electa Draper
A new federal count of the homeless released Tuesday shows numbers declined in the U.S. and in Colorado between January 2010 and January 2011—a finding that sharply conflicts with local groups' reports of a worsening crisis.
Online Article

October 17, 2011
Child Care Center for Homeless Coalition Gets New Play Area
DenverPost.com/Your Hub - Joe Vaccarelli
The children at the Renaissance Children's Center have a plethora of new toys after construction on a new natural classroom was recently completed.
Online Article

September 28, 2011
Renewing the American Dream – Investing in Our Communities’ Well-Being
White House Blog - Mercedes M. Márquez (Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
By investing in communities and building their capacity to address neighborhood needs, Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development works every day to help communities promote integrated approaches that provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons.
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September 21, 2011
West Colfax HUD Project Likely to Benefit Area Economy
The Denver Post - Caitlin Gibbons
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is partnering with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to bring increased home values and revitalization to the area.
Online Article

September 3, 2011
Restaurant Aims To End Homelessness 1 Pizza At A Time
KCNC - TV, Jane Monreal
When he was mayor, John Hickenlooper launched the city’s campaign to end homelessness. Now more businesses are getting involved.
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August 16, 2011
Health Centers Deserve Support
The Boulder Daily Camera - Marguerite Salazar
Building on the concepts of community-oriented primary care, these neighborhood health centers were designed to deliver comprehensive primary health care in communities where health care providers were scarce, residents were poor, and other essential social services were non-existent.
Online Article

August 10, 2011
Colorado's K-12 Homeless Student Population Growing Fast
The Huffington Post - Andrea Real
Over the past six years the state's K-12 classrooms have seen an 84.3 percent increase in homelessness among its students, according to data from the Colorado School Finance Project.
Online Article

July 19, 2011
Homeless Coalition Clients Staff Restaurant
CPR.org - Colorado Public Radio - Ryan Warner
There’s a new restaurant on Colfax Avenue in Denver—a place called Pizza Fusion—and it has an unusual staff, including people like Alfreda Anderson.
Listen to the Story

June 24, 2011
Colorado Advocates Push for Greater Penalties for Crimes Against the Homeless
National Low-Income Housing Coalition Memo to Members - From the Field
During the 2011 state legislative session, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, a National Low-Income Housing Coalition state coalition partner, led advocates in support of SB11-004, the Hate Crimes Against the Homeless bill sponsored by Senator Lucia Guzman and Representative Dan Pabon.
Online Article (pg 6)

June 22, 2011
Ex-Homeless Get New Slice of Hope at Pizza Fusion
The Denver Post - Weston Phippen
On a rainy day on East Colfax Avenue, Anthony Taylor carefully walks a black tray over to a couple sitting in swanky lime-green chairs in the dining room. He holds it with both hands, eyeing the balanced water glasses as if they were frogs set to spring off the tray at any minute. He smiles.
Online Article

June 10, 2011
Denver Pizzeria’s Impact Far Beyond Environmental
KGMH-TV – Doug Schepman
Its new slogan is “Saving the Earth, one pizza at time,” but a new Denver pizzeria’s impact is far beyond environmental. 7News reporter Doug Schepman found it’s providing a life-changing opportunity for some of our area’s most disadvantaged workers.
View the Video

June 7, 2011
Homeless Shelters Help Indians by Using Native Wisdom and Spirituality
IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com - Adrian Jawort
Richard Martel, a Canadian Cree and Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Program Coordinator, says the idea seemed easy enough to incorporate. Every Monday at noon, Native homeless would gather in downtown Denver to talk about what was on their minds in the Native American Talking Circle.
Online Article

June 7, 2011
Michael Hancock Serves Pizza Monday to Visiting Government Officials at Pizza Fusion
The Denver Post - Photo - Helen Richardson
Michael Hancock serves pizza Monday to visiting government officials from Mongolia at Pizza Fusion on Colfax Avenue. With him are Jantsan Batbayasgalan, left, and James Wagenlander, Mongolia's honorary consul in Denver.
Online Article

May 12, 2011
Pizza Fusion Gets Great Yelp Reviews
Yelp.com Review
The food was delicious and the pricing was very reasonable, especially for a menu that has fresh and sustainable ingredients. Among all of these great attributes, the building and franchise is owned and run by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. It's hard not to feel great about supporting this business!
Yelp.com 

April 29, 2011
Pizza Fusion Rolls into Renaissance Uptown Lofts
The Denver Business Journal - Boots Gifford
The mixed-use, affordable-housing development, Renaissance Uptown Lofts, gets one of its first retail residents as Pizza Fusion is slated to open to the public later in May. Pizza Fusion Denver will be operated by Renaissance Pizza LLC, a subsidiary of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Online Article

March 16, 2011
Mobile Clinic for the Homeless Returns
PBS NewsHour - Rebecca Jacobson
Last year, the NewsHour profiled a mobile clinic for the homeless that was about to close due to budget cuts. Now, after months of searching for funding, the clinic is back on the streets.
Online Article

January 30, 2011
Making Denver's East Colfax Avenue Better (But Not Too Much Better)
The Denver Post - Ray Mark Rinaldi
The new Renaissance Uptown Lofts continue to redefine our notions of what affordable housing can look like. The 98-unit apartment complex at Pearl Street, financed with $17 million in public and private funds, is the latest addition to the portfolio of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Online Article

January 28, 2011
Parvensky Directs Low-income Developments
Denver Business Journal - Paula Moore
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless of Denver is best known for providing social services to the state’s homeless, and less so as a developer of affordable housing. In the nonprofit group’s 25 years of operation, it’s developed 15 properties with more than 1,400 housing units for homeless and low-income residents.
Online Article

January 28, 2011
Reclaiming West Colfax
Denver Business Journal - Paula Moore
To enhance new development, the West Colfax Business Improvement District is working to make the street more user-friendly and sustainable within its boundaries, between Federal and Sheridan, through a $1.2 million street-improvement project.
Online Article

January 10, 2011
Coalition Staffers Reach Out, Warmly, to the Homeless
The Denver Post - Colleen O'Connor
The temperature was nine degrees as Kevin Raleigh knelt in the snow Monday, talking to a homeless man named J.D., who had spent Sunday night sleeping under the bridges of Speer Boulevard.
Online Article

January 5, 2011
Revitalization Project Aims to Provide Housing for Homeless Families
9News - Matt Clough
A project to revitalize a Colfax Avenue eyesore will bring a fresh start to homeless families across the metro area. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless plans to build a 101 apartment housing complex that will provide homes for homeless and low-income families.
Online Article

January 5, 2011
Biker Bar Demolished for Family Housing
KWGN-TV , Chris Jose
It was once a rundown biker bar, but soon more than a hundred families will call it home. The Shuffle Inn closed years ago, and neighbors say the former bar at Colfax Avenue and Zenobia Street has been an eyesore ever since.
Online Article

January 4, 2011
Housing for Homeless to Replace Biker Bar
Bizjournals.com - Paula Moore
Demolition of the old Shuffle Inn bar and restaurant, on West Colfax Avenue at Zenobia Street in Denver, is scheduled to start January 5, to make way for a new $17 million housing development for homeless and low-income families.
Online Article

Archived Coverage of CCH in the News

Click here for earlier articles about the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.