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July 15, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 132 | ISSUE 51
Redistricting commissions schedule public hearings Gatherings are chance to comment on proposed congressional and statehouse districts BY THY VO AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN
• A sense that existing services may be underutilized because people in need have barriers to accessing them. • A fear that the level of care needed by some severely mentally ill or addicted people may exceed the capacity of local agencies. • And a concern that offering too friendly and effective of services to the homeless may make the area a magnet for more people from around the region. Interviewees helped form a set of goals: • Increasing coordination among local agencies. • Identifying and empowering a single leadership group. • Establishing a central access point to obtain services. • Addressing the mental health needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Coloradans have a chance to have their voices heard on proposals for redrawn congressional and legislative districts at a total of 32 meetings around the state through the end of August. The gatherings are the public’s opportunity to address both the Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission and Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission, which will convene jointly at each meeting. The Colorado Sun examined the initial congressional and legislative maps offered by nonpartisan legislative staff and comments submitted online by the public — most of which came before the preliminary maps were issued — from different corners of the state to get an idea of what concerns the commissioners might hear. More attention — and public comments — have been directed toward remapping the congressional districts as Colorado is slated to get a new, eighth seat in the U.S. House. But the impact on state Senate and House seats could also be big, with control of the state Legislature — currently dominated by Democrats — at stake.
SEE HOMELESS, P20
SEE LEGISLATURE, P21
In a September 2020 file photo, a man dismantles a canopy during a sweep of a homeless camp along the South Platte River. PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT
Report lays out plan to address homelessness Affordable housing, connection to services crucial, task force says BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Many groups are already working hard to address homelessness in Littleton, Englewood and Sheridan, but coordinating and expanding their services could go a long way toward addressing the complicated task of lifting people up, according to a new report. The Tri-Cities Homelessness Policy Group (TCHPG), a task force composed of numerous care providers and public officials from the three neighboring communities, presented an “action plan” to Littleton City Council on July 6, marking a big step in the group’s
years of study and planning around homelessness. The non-binding plan offers a laundry list of ideas to address homelessness, with an estimated total cost of $705,000, with the intent to divvy up costs between the three cities and numerous state and local agencies and nonprofits. The plan cites interviews with dozens of local people including public officials and nonprofit leaders. Interviewees said some elements of local response to homelessness are already working well, including co-responder programs that send clinicians along with local police to assist people experiencing homelessness, food distribution networks, public school outreach programs, and the growing level of coordination between local agencies. Interviewees also expressed concerns, such as: • A lack of funding to step up outreach.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
FREE RANGE THERAPY How a horse and a trail can be good for the soul
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