Denver Mayor Michael Hancock sent a message on Wednesday to a group of council members who, in late April, had written to him requesting a temporary “Safe Outdoor Space” for people experiencing homelessness during the coronavirus outbreak.

Hancock’s message was this: You have the green light, now show me a spot in your district we can set up camp.

On July 1, Hancock announced “with some reluctance” his support of a proposal from the Colorado Village Collaborative that will provide emergency support for up to 50 people in Denver’s homeless community. The initiative was brought forth in April by the Colorado Village Collaborative, which runs Denver’s first and only “tiny home” village.

Hancock said he based his decision on these being “extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures,” a pivot that comes eight years after the city passed its urban camping ban and barely a year since Denver residents voted overwhelmingly to uphold it. (A Denver county judge has since ruled the camping ban unconstitutional, and the city has appealed that decision.)

In Hancock’s letter to Robin Kniech, Candi CdeBaca, Amanda Sandoval, Jamie Torres, Paul Kashmann, Stacie Gilmore, Debbie Ortega and Chris Hinds, he said the city’s intent was to work closely with the Colorado Village Collaborative to set up two to three 50-tent campsites in the city.

He also listed several reasons why council members should help.

“Depending on the site, there may be license agreement, zoning or other approvals required by City Council and the Administration. In some cases, Council approval may not be required,” Hancock wrote. “In addition, we do not have a formal process in place to identify sites, regardless of whether they are owned by the city, another public entity or a private enterprise.

“This is why I am writing to you today. Nobody knows your Council district better than you.”

Hancock asked that council members identify by July 17 a property in “the 10,000-square-foot range – enough for 60 people, 50 socially distant tents, restroom and shower facilities, and a common area.”

Hancock said the campsite would be operational only if public health orders amid the coronavirus pandemic are in place.