Aurora Regional Navigation Campus opens Monday with 285 cots, partner services and respite beds

The Aurora Regional Navigation Campus will open for unhoused adults on Monday the 17th, Jim Gobelbecker, operator with Advanced Pathways, told the Douglas County Homeless Initiative executive committee.

"Once you walk in, it's kind of a wow moment because it's just big," Gobelbecker said, describing a large facility that hosted about 300 visitors at a recent open house and a ribbon cutting attended by Governor Polis and other officials. He said the site reached "significant completion" and will become operational despite a few outstanding furniture and equipment deliveries.

Gobelbecker described a tiered model for shelter and services. Tier 1, which includes day-center services and overnight cots, will begin immediately; he cited roughly 285 cots overall and said one pictured tier area will hold about 170 cots. Tier 2 has about 114 spots, while tier 3 — which comprises the hotel's upper floors — will phase in by mid-December as construction finishes and security systems are completed.

The campus will include a navigation center staffed by more than 20 partner organizations offering case management, mental-health support and workforce development. "We have 4 training rooms" and ten offices for one-on-one meetings, Gobelbecker said, noting partners will run cohorts in janitorial and culinary skills and other life-skills workshops.

Health and respite services were discussed during committee questions. Gobelbecker confirmed 20 respite beds will accept ambulatory guests for up to 30 days; nursing care is not provided in those rooms. He said the site is negotiating with UCHealth and planning a clinic with Stride Community Health, with a space build-out expected in 2026.

The campus will allow guests to bring pets; kennel operations will be outsourced to a partner called Over the Rainbow, with about 20 kennels initially. Gobelbecker said kennel users who remain for multiple days may be asked to volunteer three hours per week as part of an expectation of giving back; a visiting veterinarian will check on animals monthly. Because the kennel will qualify as a boarding operation, licensing and daily animal-exercise requirements apply.

Security measures include a single point of entry, perimeter monitoring, zoned access and extensive video surveillance, Gobelbecker said, and the Aurora Police Department has reviewed and approved the plans. Parking will be available for staff, visitors and guests; the campus will not support RV parking because of space and safety concerns.

Gobelbecker said vans will transport clients from the day resource center beginning Monday morning, and furniture and programming schedules will be completed over the coming weeks. "Look forward to giving you an update in a few more months," he told the committee.

The county and partner agencies said they will focus on referrals and outreach so that people sleeping outdoors or visiting the day center learn about the new campus and can be connected to immediate case management.