The Denver City Council on Monday is set to read a proclamation recognizing efforts of city staff members involved with the city’s homeless and immigration crises.

Denver, since the beginning of 2023, has so far welcomed 37,825 immigrants into the city as of Sunday, according to the city’s immigration count dashboard. Of the total, 4,290 immigrants have stayed in the city.

City staff work with immigrants in shelters and on the streets to provide resources needed to survive.

But the immigration efforts have, so far, been expensive.

Denver has spent $38 million and counting so far on its immigration influx. Mayor Mike Johnston anticipates if the surge continues, the city could be poised to spend $180 million before 2024 ends to provide resources for incoming immigrants.

Meanwhile, Johnston and his city staff continue to deal with the city’s homeless population.

Denver spent $45 million to move over 1,000 homeless people indoors before the end of 2023, and plans to spend $50 million in 2024 to do the same.

Through all the immigration and homelessness response initiatives, city staff was put on the forefront of many homeless encampment sweeps and housing move-ins and provided services to those living on city streets, including newly arriving immigrants.

The council will present the proclamation amid a short schedule planned Monday. Also on the agenda:

• A $6 million, three-year agreement with Waste Management Disposal Services of Colorado to provide compost processing services.
• Adding $4.1 million to a contract for a new total of $16 million with Mental Health Center of Denver, operating as Behavioral Health Solutions Center, to operate its center until the end of September.