Denver Cleanup Focuses On Downtown Area Where Homeless Gather

DENVER (CBS4) -- Denver hasn't seen a lot of activity during the stay-at-home order but now the city is preparing for businesses to start reopening. Thursday morning, Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure began a large-scale cleanup -- requiring people struggling with homelessness to pick up and move-- during the coronavirus pandemic.

City leaders say some encampments were blocking the public right of way and some areas were becoming more hazardous.

CBS4 found people living in lines of tents and debris on the streets downtown. DOTI is clearing the area from 20th to 23rd streets between Welton and Curtis.

Kathleen Van Voohris with the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado said many in the homeless community have not been tested and there are those exhibiting symptoms, "You see people who are down here today who are coughing and exhibiting symptoms."

She cited recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control on its website that state, "Unless individual housing units are available, do not clear encampments."

DOTI officials say their request is only that people move, so they can thoroughly clean the area.

"They are not only exposing more as they move throughout the city and people who interact with them are potentially going to need to be quarantined," said Voorhis.

DOTI also tells CBS4 the cleanup is being conducted in line with terms of a settlement the city entered into, following a class action lawsuit. These cleanups have been in place since 2016.

Tents were removed from sidewalks as some people appeared to be roused from their sleep. Advance notice was given as required under the court agreement.

Any property removed will be stored at 1449 Galapago Street for 30 days. The city says property can be claimed free of charge, and without fear of arrest. After those 30 days, property will be moved off-site, to a different location - so there are still some details to be sorted out. All property not claimed with 60 days will be disposed of.

The alliance monitoring this cleanup has proposed a safe outdoor space be set aside in Denver for the homeless with the services they need, but believe that may not happen.

Rev. Brian Rossert told CBS4, "It makes me feel sad and angry because here we've offered a solution and here we are today keeping vigil and being displaced and told to move along."

Sofas and other large items were dispatched to the garbage, but an American flag was respectfully preserved by a fire fighter to be put in storage for its patriotic, but homeless owner.

A spokesperson for the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure wrote, "What we have seen historically, is that people will move to the next block during our cleanings and come back when it is complete."

The City of Denver has turned the Coliseum and the National Western Stock Show pavilion into temporary shelters for the homeless.