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Speakers urge council not to renew Salvation Army shelter contract amid safety and management complaints
Summary
Multiple speakers, including shelter residents and advocacy groups, urged the council to reject or closely review renewing contracts with the Salvation Army at Crossroads and DoubleTree, citing facility infestations, assaults, staffing and leadership failures and alleged failures by Denver Police Department to hold officers accountable after a houseless trans woman's death.
Therese Howard, speaking for House Keys Action Network Denver, thanked council members for postponing the Crossroads Salvation Army contract vote and said she hopes the delay signals that council will not renew the contract. She said Crossroads has experienced management breakdowns "for months now" and listed safety concerns at Crossroads and DoubleTree.
Anna Miller described Crossroads as "disgusting" and said she had traumatic experiences while staying there, including witnessing violence and widespread infestations. Miller alleged that one year earlier a houseless trans woman was shot 12 times by Denver Police Department officers and that the body was left in the street for four hours, saying there has been "no accountability." Those allegations were presented as testimony; no city staff or DPD response was offered in this public comment session.
Other commenters, including Brian Loma, criticized the city's use of enforcement around shelters, described conditions at temporary accommodations and urged council to prioritize housing over enforcement spending. The public comment session closed without a council vote; speakers asked the council to use the postponed contract vote to hold providers accountable and consider alternative shelter management.
