Loveland debate over temporary shelter and City Hall opens after mayor allowed unhoused people inside

Mayor Jackie Marsh’s decision to allow people from an encampment to sleep inside City Hall prompted an extended public-comment exchange and sharply divided views from residents and council members at the Loveland City Council meeting.

Advocates described the action as a humane response to an urgent situation. “These people that were camped out there were not prepared for this since they were kicked out, you know, a few days before,” said Alan Kligov, identifying himself as a volunteer. “Loveland needs more heart.” Ian Sullivan, Ward 2, said he was at City Hall during the event and called the scene “one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.”

Other speakers and several residents called the mayor’s move unauthorized and dangerous. Michael Scofield, a Loveland resident, said in public comment that opening City Hall “was unauthorized, unsafe, and a complete breakdown of judgment and protocol” and urged Mayor Marsh’s resignation. Another commenter said allowing people into City Hall risked confidential records and violated fire occupancy rules.

Council members also addressed the incident. Councilor Pat McFall urged the council to avoid “political theatrics” and to follow proper investigatory processes if warranted, saying the council should “move forward with stability, transparency, and respect for the law.” Councilor Andrea Samson publicly described an earlier incident in which photos of her family were displayed during public comment and said she left a meeting in person after feeling threatened; Samson thanked colleagues who ensured she could rejoin via Zoom and expressed appreciation for community support.

Multiple callers described Camp Hope, the encampment near City Hall, as orderly and run by volunteers. “They had a sense [of] community. They had respect for everyone there,” said Alan Kligov. Volunteers and several resident speakers said there was no widespread drug use or needles at the encampment.

The city manager reported that council met in executive session during the meeting to discuss real property matters and, afterward, said council had given staff direction to continue negotiations to acquire property. The manager also said the city will operate a two-day inclement weather plan at the Loveland Resource Center and that the city will continue that arrangement for the next 30 days while staff work on negotiations and other options.

Speakers asked the council to develop a permanent, year-round shelter solution. State Senator Janice Marchman told council that Loveland is now “the only city in our region without a year round shelter available or in the works” and reminded council of a 2022 emergency ordinance (ordinance number cited in public comment as 6554(b)) that requires shelter be available before campers may be removed. Marchman urged reopening or naming a temporary shelter through April 2026 while a regional permanent solution is developed.

Several audience members urged the city to follow state and local law and to coordinate with Larimer County and the state. Some commenters recommended that a nonprofit or an existing service provider operate any shelter rather than the city directly.

City leaders did not take final public action on a permanent shelter during the meeting. Instead, the manager announced the short-term path forward: continue the LRC operational plan for 30 days while staff pursue property negotiations and other measures. The council recessed to an executive session on unrelated real-property negotiations and returned to public session to report the instructions given to staff.

Ending: The shelter debate dominated public comment for the meeting; council members and staff said the city will continue a short-term plan while pursuing property and operational options and further discussions with regional partners. A broader, long-term plan for sheltering unhoused residents was not finalized at the meeting.