This forum explored questions such as: How do temporary Safe Outdoor Spaces affect neighborhoods as they provide shelter and services for their residents? How does this approach fit in with the range of other approaches to help with homelessness? How are these spaces funded, and what impact are they having?

During the forum, we heard from neighborhood organizations where the first Safe Outdoor Spaces operated by the Colorado Village Collaborative were located, along with City Council, Colorado Village Collaborative, and Denver zoning administration representatives, and neighbors nearby and within existing Safe Outdoor Spaces for their perspectives.

00:00:00 Welcome & Introductions
00:03:45 Panelist – Councilwoman Robin Kniech
00:10:22 Panelist – Cole Chandler, Executive Director of Colorado Village Collaborative
00:17:08 Panelist – Tina Axelrad, Denver Zoning Administrator
00:26:40 Panelist – Travis Leiker, Executive Director of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods RNO
00:33:47 Panelist – Judy Trompeter, President of Uptown on the Hill RNO
00:40:32 Panelist – Tarasa Harlow, neighbor adjacent to the first Uptown Safe Outdoor Space
00:45:54 Panelist – Mark Montes, resident of a Safe Outdoor Space
00:48:30 Q&A

Panelist Contact Info and Slides

• Councilwoman Robin Kniech –  Slide  — Robin.Kniech@denvergov.org
• Cole Chandler, Executive Director – Colorado Village Collaborative  — cole@covillageco.org
• Tina Axelrad, Denver Zoning Administrator —Tina.Axelrad@denvergov.org
• Travis Leiker, Executive Director of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods RNO — Travis.Leiker@chundenver.org
• Judy Trompeter, President of Uptown on the Hill RNO — schumpeter@icloud.com

Resources for neighborhoods considering SOS hosting:

• CHUN Good Neighbor Agreement for Safe Outdoor Spaces example
• Colorado Village Collaborative SOS “What Do Residents Do During the Day”
• Colorado Village Collaborative Resident Use Agreement
• Colorado Village Collaborative – https://www.coloradovillagecollaborative.org/safe-outdoor-space
• SOS Need Infographic created in conjunction with several RNOs, BIDs, CVC and the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
• Contact CHUN and Uptown RNOs for experience and advice with hosting SOS

Additional references:

• Denverite article on Safe Outdoor Spaces 2021-May-30, including crime stats review —  https://denverite.com/2021/05/30/denvers-first-two-sanctioned-campsites-won-over-their-housed-neighbors-now-theyre-moving/
• Housing an Inclusive Denver (2018-2023 housing policy, strategy and investment priorities) — https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/690/Housing/HousingInclusiveDenver_FINAL_020918.pdf
• Denver Housing Stability 2021 Action Plan Addendum – the investment framework for the Homelessness Resolution Fund approved by voters in Nov. 2020 — https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/housing-stability/documents/2021actionplan_addendum2b.pdf