Denver Uses 3 Recreation Centers To Manage Influx Of Migrants

By Lindsey Toomer, Colorado Newsline

December 14, 2022

Denver is now using three of its recreation centers to assist with the ongoing arrival of migrants into the city, with two operating as emergency shelters and one as a reception center for new arrivals.

According to a news release from the city, "271 people were staying in city shelters as of Wednesday afternoon, while an additional 62 people are staying with local churches." The city said the additional capacity is necessary “to ensure basic needs are being met while ensuring the city does not experience a humanitarian crisis of keeping hundreds of unhoused migrants displaced in our city.”

Denver first opened an emergency shelter at an undisclosed recreation center on Dec. 6 and just opened the second. There’s an ongoing need for donations and local faith-based groups and nonprofits are continuing to assist the city with its efforts to support the migrants.

Denver had experienced a steady rise in the number of migrants arriving in the city in recent months, but the influx increased dramatically starting Dec. 2, when groups of dozens of migrants began arriving in groups in buses and other modes of transportation. City officials say the migrants come from Central and South America, including Venezuela.

Because three recreation centers are now occupied, the city is allowing members who use the recreation centers to visit any center operated by the city without additional charges.

Any other entity interested in assisting further can reach the Emergency Operations Center at donations@denvergov.org.

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