Westminster council approves hotel agreements for cold‑weather and bridge sheltering after split votes

The Westminster City Council voted to authorize the Westminster Homeless Navigators to contract with area hotels for temporary sheltering and bridge housing in two separate measures on Dec. 16.

The council approved a motion authorizing up to $325,000 in annual hotel expenditures for sheltering and bridge housing, and a separate motion authorizing up to $790,000 annually for cold‑weather sheltering. Both measures included a waiver of the competitive bidding requirement for individual hotels and passed on 4‑3 roll calls.

Why it matters: Council members said the hotel agreements are intended as a short‑term, humane response to people experiencing homelessness and as a way to connect individuals with case management. Opponents said the commitments are large, open‑ended and should be paired with clearer enforcement and long‑term planning.

Councilor Camarillo said the hotel program “brings us up to the standards that are currently held right now in Adams and Broomfield Counties” and argued the approach reduces the risk of people dying outdoors and helps enroll individuals in navigator case files. Councilor DeMott said the item prompted his “no” vote because he wants a broader policy discussion about shifting budget priorities and enforcement strategies before committing substantial funds. Councilor Rosati urged pursuing both prevention and enforcement at once, saying, “we can chew gum and walk at the same time.”

What the council approved - Item 8E1: Authorized Westminster Homeless Navigators to make agreements with area hotels for sheltering and bridge housing, authorizing a total annual expenditure up to $325,000 cumulatively at all hotels and waiving formal bidding even if expenditures exceed $50,000 at any individual hotel. Motion moved by Councilor Iozzati; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Nirmala. Roll call: Azadi — yes; Haught — yes; Mayor McNally — no; Mayor Pro Tem Nirmala — yes; Councilor Carmelia — yes; Councilor DeMott — no; Councilor Ireland — no. Outcome: approved 4‑3. - Item 8E2: Authorized Westminster Homeless Navigators to make agreements with area hotels for cold‑weather sheltering, authorizing a total annual expenditure up to $790,000 cumulatively at all hotels and waiving formal bidding requirements. Motion moved by Councilor Rosati; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Nirmala. Roll call: Zadeh — yes; Haught — yes; Mayor McNally — no; Mayor Pro Tem Nirmala — yes; Councilor Ireland — no; Councilor Carmelia — yes; Councilor Dimock — no. Outcome: approved 4‑3.

Debate and context Supporters framed the hotel agreements as a humane, pragmatic measure to keep people safe during cold weather and to reduce visible encampments. Councilor Camarillo said the program will improve outcomes by getting people into “onboarded” navigator case files and noted business and resident concerns about encampments.

Opponents, including Councilor DeMott and Councilor Ireland, said the measures commit significant new city spending without sufficient long‑term planning or enforcement provisions. DeMott said the shift of funds had been a reason he opposed the city budget, arguing the city is effectively moving money that had been reserved for shelter development and may face future funding gaps if the hotel approach continues.

Several council members urged measures for accountability and evaluation. Mayor Pro Tem Nirmala said she supported a one‑year pilot to collect metrics: How many people were helped and whether the program reduced harms and costs elsewhere.

Legal and policy notes During debate a council member referenced a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision affecting local authority over camping in public spaces; council discussion noted the complexity of enforcement options under evolving case law. Several speakers also raised differences between cities and counties in available social‑services funding and asked for better coordination with county partners.

What’s next Council members supporting the measures said they expected staff to return with implementation details and metrics to evaluate whether the hotel contracts reduce street homelessness and reduce other city costs. Opponents said they want a broader budget and enforcement discussion before further commitments.

Votes at a glance - Item 8E1 (bridge sheltering up to $325,000): approved 4‑3 (Yes: Azadi, Haught, Pro Tem Nirmala, Carmelia; No: DeMott, McNally, Ireland). - Item 8E2 (cold‑weather sheltering up to $790,000): approved 4‑3 (Yes: Zadeh, Haught, Pro Tem Nirmala, Carmelia; No: McNally, Ireland, Dimock).