Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Who are the homeless?

Recent data shows that in Jefferson County, 77% of those experiencing homelessness are families with children. Others experiencing homelessness include veterans and individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues.

2. How many people experiencing homelessness live in Arvada?

The number is difficult to quantify because those experiencing homelessness tend to move between jurisdictions, and many do not want to bear the stigma and scorn often associated with being homeless, and, therefore, avoid using resources that might identify them as experiencing homelessness.

3. Why is the population of those experiencing homelessness growing in Arvada?

Homelessness is becoming more prevalent in all Colorado communities. While the reasons for the increase in homelessness are complex, rising housing costs and lack of affordable housing are contributing factors, as are mental health and substance abuse issues.

4. What proactive approaches are being implemented?

The City has established a homelessness team from multiple departments. The team meets once monthly to examine and explore resources and best practices that are being utilized across the nation in order to assist those experiencing homelessness. Current projects/approaches are:

• Police Department CORE Team
• Police Department Homelessness Liaison
• Public Restrooms

5. By providing services to those experiencing homelessness, is the City encouraging the population to come to Arvada?

Homelessness is an issue growing in communities all over Colorado regardless of how those cities respond to the issue. Arvada is responding by working to find solutions that allow those who are experiencing homelessness to maintain a measure of human dignity while they get back on their feet.

6. How is Arvada PD responding to homelessness in Arvada?

The Arvada Police Department has increased its presence in Olde Town and is conducting extensive outreach to connect those experiencing homelessness with resources, while actively addressing public safety issues sometimes related to homelessness. Arvada PD follows standard procedures for enforcement of code and ordinance violations, regardless of the status of the individual(s) involved. Most recently, the Police Department has developed a new response team: the Community, Outreach, Resource and Enforcement (CORE) team. The CORE team is presently focusing its efforts in the area south of West 58th Avenue and east of Allison Street. Officers have opened lines of communication with residents, visitors, business owners, and the homeless population with the goal to find resource-based solutions. It is important to note that this team will also deploy strategic enforcement efforts when providing resources becomes ineffective.

7. Is it illegal to be homeless?

No. It is not illegal to be homeless, and those experiencing homelessness have the same rights as all other citizens.

8. What behaviors and activities are illegal?

• Erection of tents or buildings in public parks without a permit
• Drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, or allowing dogs to be off-leash in a public area
• Littering
• Urination and defecation in public
• Obstruction of sidewalks and crosswalks
• Trespassing
• Park curfew violations (not allowed in parks between 11 pm and sunrise)

9. When should I contact Arvada PD?

If you see someone committing a crime on public property, please call Arvada Police at 720-898-6900. The Arvada Police Department can be contacted in any situation where:

• You are concerned for the individual's welfare or overall health and safety.
• The subject poses a threat to themselves or the community.
• The individual is clearly violating state or city law.

These situations do not constitute the only means as to why police should be contacted. If you believe the situation warrants police response, please contact non-emergency police dispatch at 720-898-6900.