Variety of solutions

As an editor of newspapers in multiple counties, sometimes I feel like I get a front-row seat to the problems and proposed solutions owing through the Denver metro area. One of those major problems is homelessness.

It’s been interesting over the last year to watch how each municipality and county has chosen to view the growing crisis.

In Arapahoe County, I have been impressed with the proactive, somewhat uni ed, approach many are taking. Littleton, Centennial, Sheridan and Englewood clearly care on a regional level about working together and solo to address the growing crisis.

Littleton continues to take the lead, hosting forums and really working with neighbors to talk about what’s happening. In a recent forum, Littleton gave business owners, community leaders and residents the opportunity to talk about the issues.

Of course, business owners are concerned when the homeless may interfere with their ability to conduct business and if the crisis continues to grow — those voices will get louder.

I was also impressed with a forum where a man who had been homeless and struggling talked about the path back. He talked about his struggles and shared a story we all need to hear. We all say we know it’s a problem — but without a face — we just look at the negatives and want it gone.

What this man did in this forum was personalize a national problem. Our homeless population is made up of human beings who should not be tossed aside like trash. ey are not all associated with criminal behavior and our reporters have talked to many of whom are just