The Department of Housing Stability (HOST) partners with many agencies citywide to provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness. There are many shelter facilities throughout the city, so rather than requiring people in crisis to navigate a complex system, we have identified specific centrally-located facilities as the “front door” access to the entire system. These locations have longer hours for intake and have transportation available to other facilities. They can also help people navigate which shelter facility is the best option for their individual situation.
Concerned about accessing shelter in severe weather events? Download and share this handout about accessing shelter and severe weather.(PDF, 1MB) / Descargue y comparta este folleto sobre el acceso a refugios y condiciones meteorológicas adversas.(PDF, 654KB)
HOST is now offering a free circulator bus service for persons experiencing homelessness from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. See the route, stops, and services here(PDF, 111KB) / en español.(PDF, 65KB) See also this list of rider expectations(PDF, 47KB) / en español(PDF, 51KB).
If you or someone you know is in housing crisis and needs shelter urgently, please refer them to “front door” facilities, which offer both walk-up access and have the ability to refer (and sometimes transport) to other shelters as appropriate. Walk-up only centers do not refer to other facilities.
For individual men:
Front door: Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St., (303) 294-0157, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, it is advised to arrive before 6 p.m. for transportation to other locations;
Walk-up access only: Crossroads, 1901 29th St., (720) 305-4640, entry from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, no transportation to other shelters from this location
For individual women:
Front door: Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St., (303) 294-0241, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily, it is advised to arrive between 4 and 4:30 p.m. for shelter or transportation to other locations
For families with minor children:
The Gathering Place, 1535 N. High St., (303) 321-4198, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Volunteers of America Mission, 2877 Lawrence St., (303) 295-2165, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays
Phone Intake & Eligibility: (303) 295-3366, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday
Walk Up Intake: 11701 E 33rd Ave, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday
For youth ages 15-20:
Walk-up access only: Urban Peak, 2100 Stout St., (303) 974-2908, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
For those experiencing domestic violence:
SafeHouse Denver, 24-hour crisis hotline (303) 318-9989
Service Animals and Pets:
Certified service animals are allowed in our shelters. Alternately, Denver Animal Protection offers a Safe Haven Program, which provides two to four weeks of shelter for pets of families experiencing homelessness and during severe weather events. Click here for more information.
Other Shelter Facilities
These providers are also part of Denver’s shelter network, but do not transport to other facilities, and are therefore not recommended “front door” entry points. Locations listed here without an address are NOT walk-up facilities.
Delores Project: women and transgender individuals, (303) 534-5411, beds are assigned only by phone at 10 a.m. daily
These facilities are available for people to access during daytime business hours listed, but are NOT overnight shelters. A brief description of services and supports provided is included below.
The City of Denver has endeavored to offer a range of alternatives to traditional congregate shelters. The alternatives include options for couples, people with pets, transgender individuals, people with health conditions, people who are recovering from COVID, families, people living in a vehicle, and other extenuating circumstances. These programs are limited and have waiting lists, and are NOT walk-up accessible. To access these programs, please work with an outreach worker or case manager at one of the “front door” shelters or a day center for a referral.
St. Francis Center, 2323 Curtis St., (303) 297-1576
6:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 6:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St., (303) 294-0157
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
The Gathering Place, 1535 N. High St., (303) 321-4198
Open 8:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Volunteers of America Mission, 2877 Lawrence St., (303) 297-0408
8:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays
Haven of Hope, 1101 West 7th Ave., (303) 607-0855
7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Urban Peak Drop-In Center, 2100 Stout St., (303) 974-2900
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Youth ages 15-24. Breakfast served at 9 a.m. and dinner served at 4:30 p.m.
Senior Support Services, 846 East 18th Ave., (303) 832-1622
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Seniors age 60+. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Safe Outdoor Spaces
Check back soon for more information
Safe Parking
Check back soon for more information
Protective Action and Activated Respite emergency non-congregate shelter
Check back soon for more information
Tiny Homes Villages
Check back soon for more information
Severe weather poses a serious danger to those staying outside, and we encourage people to come inside. HOST, alongside shelter and outreach partners, monitors weather and shelter usage to activate severe weather protocols and shelter expansions as necessary.
Capacity: Denver has partnered with shelter providers to provide flexible capacity during severe weather events. By leveraging the existing staffing and facility resources, shelter for single individuals can flex to accommodate several hundred additional people in our regular shelter facilities during severe weather. For families, access to short-term stays in non-congregate shelter will be provided for the duration of a severe weather event.
Outreach: Outreach workers, park rangers, safety personnel, and police actively reach out to unsheltered individuals to let them know when severe weather is expected and to assist them in finding and getting to shelter.
Daytime Warming and Cooling Center Activation: The City’s Emergency Operations Plan (4.5 Appendix E) outlines how City agencies will work together in the event daytime warming or cooling centers are needed to keep residents (including but not limited to those experiencing homelessness) safe from inclement weather.
The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is the lead agency in monitoring weather thresholds and determining when temperatures indicate a need for cooling and warming shelters to be activated.
These thresholds are triggered by a heat advisory, wind chill advisory, watch or warning issued by the National Weather Service. The general rule of thumb for these thresholds is:
Heat: when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°.
Cold: Temperature below 10°, or 6 inches or more of snow forecasted.
Denver Parks & Recreation will activate warming/cooling centers at open recreation centers during regular business hours. An area in each center will be staffed and available free of charge, with access to drinking water, restrooms, and a place to sit. Those accessing cooling/warming centers will be expected to observe all facility rules and staff instructions. Denver Public Library locations are also typically available free of charge during daytime hours, including during severe weather.
Emergency Expanded Overnight Shelter Activation: If the above daytime thresholds for severe weather are met AND either of the conditions below exist, additional overnight sheltering is considered:
The City anticipates needing additional shelter capacity above what is available across existing shelters for those experiencing homelessness
Power outage/gas outage affecting 10,000 or more customers for 12 hours or more
HOST monitors shelter capacities alongside approaching weather patterns so there is ample time to notify partners should shelter expansions become necessary. Expansions typically occur at existing overnight shelter facilities, and people should continue to access shelter at regular front door locations. Shelter operators may independently choose to increase their intake hours during severe weather events at their discretion.
Please note: These severe weather plans may evolve at a moment’s notice in order to be responsive to resident needs. Check back here for the most up to date information.