The Denver City Council on Monday approved a $10 million contract with The Salvation Army to oversee operations at the 450-bed, 300-unit hotel that houses homeless people at 4040 N. Quebec St.

The city is leasing the former DoubleTree by Hilton hotel for $83,333.33 a month for up to 15 months. Denver holds a purchase option for up to $43 million that it can exercise anytime during the lease.

Denver poised to lease or buy 300-room hotel to house homeless

The council’s approval on Monday grants The Salvation Army permission to operate the shelter until the end of 2024.

The hotel contains conference rooms, a full kitchen and laundry facilities.

Under the contract, the Salvation Army will provide services, recovery programs and give donations. The nonprofit also oversees the former Best Western hotel, which houses homeless people, at 4590 Quebec St.

Mayor Mike Johnston, as of Monday, is 708 people away from his goal of housing 1,000 people by year’s end, according to the city’s homeless housing dashboard.

Johnston has embraced a “housing first” approach to the crisis, which is costing the city hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The city has been acquiring hotels, leasing units and building “micro-communities” for homeless people.

The city is also paying for outside service providers, which monitor and maintain shelter facilities that include the use of showers, laundry and kitchens.

For the “micro-community” under construction at 12033 E. 38th Ave., Denver’s councilmembers approved a $2.3 million contract for Bayaud Enterprises, an employment services company based in Denver, to provide services.

Denver gets first glimpse of Pallet mini shelters for homeless

Johnston’s administration has broken ground on three “micro-community” sites, including at 2301 S. Santa Fe Drive and 1375 Elati St.

In other council action Monday: 

Pro-Palestinian supporters forced the City Council meeting into recess after pushing councilmembers to denounce the Jewish National Fund conference at the Colorado Convention Center this weekend.

All speakers called for the council to condemn the conference, citing the Israel-Hamas war.

The council has no control, or say, in such events. 

“I do listen,” District 3 Councilwoman and Council President Jamie Torres told speakers after the public comment session. “I will convene with my colleagues.”

Pro-Palestinian speakers remained in the chambers after insisting more should be able to speak. After speakers stayed put, Torres told councilmembers to go into recess, which all did.

The council’s protocol calls for going into recess when the chamber becomes unruly.

Pro-Palestinian supporters then continued to speak to a room of people.

Just before 7 p.m. Monday, Torres adjourned the City Council meeting. All remaining items on Monday’s agenda will roll over to the 3:30 p.m. meeting on Dec. 4.