HOMELESS

Garcia said the ordinance, which was developed through the Douglas County Homeless Initiative, addresses many of the issues raised in the Boulder lawsuit, including the constitutional right to ac- ing to its website.

Speci cally, they o er funding to nonpro ts that provide access to shelter, food and clothing, medical care, workforce and employment, translation, transportation, and childcare for newcomers.

To date, the fund has raised about half a million dollars and has granted most of it to nonpro t organizations that address these needs.

Peshek said the latest spike in arrivals has shown that the city and state funding is not enough to meet the needs of everyone who is arriving.

“I think it really does take a community approach to support these newcomers,” she said. “It really does require all government, foundations and philanthropy, nonpro ts that all really (work) together — that it’s not an issue that can be well-addressed by one without the others.” cess public property and whether there is an unalienable right to rest in public places.

“We have crafted the ordinance to avoid those areas that have been found and treated negatively by the (Boulder lawsuit),” Garcia said. “We are already doing exactly what the court has asked us to do and we are following the court’s direction to provide for our e Arapahoe County commissioners’ donation came from their social services fund balance, where they are keeping some money in case the county later realizes more local needs as the migrant crisis continues.

In the meantime, however, they decided to contribute what they could to support Denver.

“ is feels like what we can responsibly do right now, although nothing feels like it’s enough,” said District 2 Commissioner Jessica Campbell-Swanson. “ is gives us some exibility in case we need to respond here in the county.”

Holen said he hopes the county’s action will also inspire support from other metro counties.

“Allowing these funds to go forward, we could be an example or a leader that may have an impact on convincing some of the other community’s safety.”

Commissioner Abe Laydon, who spoke in favor of the bill, said, the ordinance will continue to build on the hard work of the Douglas County Homeless initiative.

“When you look at cities like Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco where rampant camping is allowed to persist at the expense of taxpayers and the