Growing Homeless Encampments in Aurora Spark Concerns from City Officials
Homeless encampments within Aurora’s city limits are growing in size, according to Emma Knight, the city’s assistant homelessness director. Knight shared this observation during the City Council’s public safety committee meeting on Thursday. “Camps are getting larger,” Knight said, adding that people seem to be gathering together more in camps, prompting the city to explore better management strategies.
Knight clarified that while the number of encampments hasn’t necessarily increased, the city received 421 calls in August concerning homeless camps—higher than usual. “We had more abatements in August by about 20 compared to recent months, meaning people were moving around more and might have been more visible in different parts of the city at the same time,” she explained.
Resistance to Shelters
In August, 175 camps were cleared, but not one individual accepted shelter at Comitis, a local facility. Knight noted that many people are hesitant to go to congregate shelters like Comitis. “People don’t want to sleep on a mat on the floor, and with only a three-day stay limit, it’s not ideal for them,” she said, adding that safety concerns were frequently mentioned as a deterrent.
In contrast, 22 people accepted shelter at Aurora’s pallet communities, which offer more appealing conditions. These shelters allow for a 30-day stay, ten times longer than Comitis. Despite the longer stay, caseworkers report that finding stable housing within 30 days remains a challenge for most people experiencing homelessness.
Concerns Over New Faces
Council member Steve Sundberg raised concerns about unfamiliar faces at encampments, noting an increase in homeless individuals near local businesses and parking lots. He speculated that many might be arriving via RTD transit from Denver. In response, Knight mentioned plans to have her staff ask encampment dwellers why they choose to stay in Aurora.
Insights from the New Police Chief
Todd Chamberlain, Aurora’s new police chief, suggested gathering data on who is using the light rail to travel into the city and whether they are local residents. He noted that some individuals may seek services in one area but feel more comfortable residing in another, using transit to move between locations.
Sundberg also suggested redesigning bus stops to discourage loitering, particularly on Colfax, where he said stops have become hubs for open-air drug use. City Manager Jason Batchelor mentioned ongoing discussions with RTD about improving the situation, including adding more lighting to deter unwanted behavior.
