Deaths of people who are homeless in Denver surge 50% since last year

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN

e number of deaths among Denver’s homeless population so far in 2023 has spiked more than 50% compared with the number recorded at this time last year.

If the upward trend continues, deaths among people who are unhoused could reach an all-time high, with accidental overdoses continuing to drive the surge, according to data from Denver’s O ce of the Medical Examiner.

So far in 2023, 166 people who were homeless have died, marking a 53% increase from 108 at this time last year, data show, and a 69% uptick from this time in 2021, when there were 98. is year’s data is preliminary, but unlikely to signi cantly change.

e deaths mirror an overall increase of people living on the city’s streets in the past year.

e homeless population in the