LOVELAND, Colo. (KDVR) — The debate over homelessness in Loveland has moved from the streets to the screen, as dozens of residents weighed in during a virtual city council meeting Tuesday night.
The discussion comes after Mayor Jacki Marsh opened City Hall Sunday night to people experiencing homelessness during freezing rain — a decision she says was made to keep people safe from the elements.
The group, calling themselves “Camp Hope,” had camped outside City Hall for about a week to protest the loss of local shelter funding. They’ve since been moved to a temporary resource center.
During the online meeting, residents were divided. Some praised the mayor’s compassion and described the move as a necessary humanitarian response to a crisis. Others called it an abuse of power and questioned the safety of opening a secure government building overnight.
“It’s an abuse of power, and it’s not the way you solve problems,” one resident said during public comment. “Homelessness is multifaceted — there are many reasons for it. Many choose it, and many choose it also because they aren’t willing to give up their addictions.”
Others urged the council to focus on solutions instead of finger-pointing.
“I urge you to be solution-oriented to address this issue that now has statewide and even national attention,” another speaker said. “Please come up with a solution for the winter that is humane.”
Several residents noted that Loveland is the only city in the region without a year-round shelter and called for long-term answers.
After public comment, council members entered executive session to discuss next steps. Those conversations happen behind closed doors and are not required to be made public.
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.
