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For Immediate Release

December 30, 2019

Contact:

Cathy Alderman 

Vice President of Communications and Public Policy 

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless 

303-312-9638 

calderman@coloradocoalition.org

 

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Urges City of Denver to Invest in Solutions,

Not Legal Challenges, to Court Ruling on Camping Ban



Denver, CO--Colorado Coalition for the Homeless applauds Friday's ruling by Judge Barajas on the Camping Ban as unconstitutional and urges the City of Denver to uphold this ruling to decriminalize homelessness in our city. This historic ruling is an opportunity for the City of Denver to reallocate resources for much-needed housing, shelter, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness rather than punish people who lack housing who are already suffering daily. The Coalition is responding to and disappointed to hear the news that the City is actively appealing the court ruling, wasting precious resources to fight a ruling proven to be inherently bias and “cruel and unusual punishment” for people experiencing homelessness.



Colorado Coalition for the Homeless opposed the camping ban at its implementation in 2012 and continues to oppose it today. The Camping Ban was never the solution for homelessness in Denver and, in fact, only makes that experience more difficult for thousands of people who are forced to sleep unsheltered in our community. John Parvenksy, President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless stated, “The Camping Ban has been, and will continue to be, the greatest disregard for the suffering of people experiencing homelessness in our city’s history. Until it is overturned, and resources are shifted towards protecting people, we will continue to watch people be punished for circumstances out of their control.”



The ruling Friday confirms what service providers and community members know and should serve as a motivator for Denver to stop investing in the criminalization of homelessness and instead focus on investing in real solutions. The ruling is an opportunity for the City to bring together advocates, service provides, businesses, and other stakeholders to create community solutions that could alleviate, instead of exacerbate, the experience of homelessness. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless urges the City to use this to work toward solutions rather than continue to defend an unconstitutional ordinance.



About Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness homeless throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 20,000 individuals and families each year. Learn more at www.coloradocoalition.org. 



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Press Release: Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Urges City of Denver to Invest in Solutions, Not Legal Challenges, to Court Ruling on Camping Ban

For Immediate Release

December 30, 2019

Contact:

Cathy Alderman 

Vice President of Communications and Public Policy 

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless 

303-312-9638 

calderman@coloradocoalition.org

 

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Urges City of Denver to Invest in Solutions,

Not Legal Challenges, to Court Ruling on Camping Ban



Denver, CO--Colorado Coalition for the Homeless applauds Friday's ruling by Judge Barajas on the Camping Ban as unconstitutional and urges the City of Denver to uphold this ruling to decriminalize homelessness in our city. This historic ruling is an opportunity for the City of Denver to reallocate resources for much-needed housing, shelter, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness rather than punish people who lack housing who are already suffering daily. The Coalition is responding to and disappointed to hear the news that the City is actively appealing the court ruling, wasting precious resources to fight a ruling proven to be inherently bias and “cruel and unusual punishment” for people experiencing homelessness.



Colorado Coalition for the Homeless opposed the camping ban at its implementation in 2012 and continues to oppose it today. The Camping Ban was never the solution for homelessness in Denver and, in fact, only makes that experience more difficult for thousands of people who are forced to sleep unsheltered in our community. John Parvenksy, President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless stated, “The Camping Ban has been, and will continue to be, the greatest disregard for the suffering of people experiencing homelessness in our city’s history. Until it is overturned, and resources are shifted towards protecting people, we will continue to watch people be punished for circumstances out of their control.”



The ruling Friday confirms what service providers and community members know and should serve as a motivator for Denver to stop investing in the criminalization of homelessness and instead focus on investing in real solutions. The ruling is an opportunity for the City to bring together advocates, service provides, businesses, and other stakeholders to create community solutions that could alleviate, instead of exacerbate, the experience of homelessness. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless urges the City to use this to work toward solutions rather than continue to defend an unconstitutional ordinance.



About Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness homeless throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 20,000 individuals and families each year. Learn more at www.coloradocoalition.org. 



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