COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (KDVR) — City leaders in Commerce City say they’re taking a new approach to addressing homelessness and are working to show residents that progress is being made.
Officials estimate about 70 people are currently living on the streets in Commerce City. The city’s plan to get them off the streets is twofold: Offer services to those experiencing homelessness while also clearing encampments from public spaces like parks and sidewalks.
“I know there’s frustration, but we are making progress and finding a balance to help,” said City Councilman Charles Dukes.
In June 2024, the Commerce City Council voted to update its camping ordinance, giving city staff the authority to move people off public or private property. Sgt. Rick Evans with the Commerce City Police Department described the method the city uses to do that as compassionate.
“We need to look at them as individuals and take it as an individual approach for what that person needs,” said Evans.
When an encampment is reported, police issue a seven-day warning. Campers are told they must move within the week or risk arrest. During that time, the city’s outreach team connects individuals to services and resources. While Commerce City does not have its own shelter, the team may help individuals find shelter beds in nearby cities or provide a bus pass.
Police then check in midway through the week, and after seven days, public works crews clean up the encampment. The city stores any remaining personal belongings for up to 30 days.
“We have the help we needed with the community wellbeing team,” Dukes said. “That help gets people off the streets while keeping our neighborhoods clean and safe.”
Evans said since the city launched this effort, the number of calls related to encampments has decreased and areas previously lined with tents have been cleaned up.
“Our community members and people who want to visit our community want to come into a community where they don’t have to experience the uncleanliness and the crime and some of the other issues that come with some of these encampments,” Evans said.
City officials have taken to social media to share updates and photos, hoping to demonstrate the gradual but consistent progress.
Residents who see encampments can report them through the Commerce City website. City crews will investigate and begin the cleanup process.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
