One of Denver’s most common strategies to provide homeless people shelter during extreme weather is its emergency cold weather shelter protocol.

But to provide outreach to those living on the streets in winter weather remains a more complicated challenge.

So far this winter season, Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) has activated city-operated emergency cold weather shelters three times amid snow and cold weather.

“HOST and our contracted partner outreach teams work to engage with their clients and also head out into the city to reach as many folks living unsheltered as possible,” Katherine Wamsley, a spokesperson at HOST, told The Denver Gazette in an email.

The city’s cold weather plan provides additional shelter for people who are not in city shelters, or third-party homeless units.

“Our teams provide outreach coverage during day and evening hours during cold weather activation and will coordinate with multiple agencies and partners to connect with individuals in need of shelter,” Wamsley said, adding homeless advocates also assist in the effort.

When the cold weather shelter plan is activated, Denver typically offers three shelter options at the former Best Western hotel at 4595 Quebec St., and the city facilities at 2601 W. 7th Ave. and 375 S. Zuni St.

The former Best Western hotel serves as a homeless shelter under Mayor Mike Johnston’s homeless housing initiative.

Most recently, Denver activated its emergency shelters for five days starting Wednesday as cold weather blankets the region Thanksgiving weekend.

That emergency shelter operation stands as the longest so far this year.

“Cold weather poses a serious danger to people who are unsheltered,” city officials have said previously.

Other strategies HOST implements during cold weather shelter outreach is through the use of printed fliers and donations of hats, gloves, hand warmers and other winter gear, according to the department.

Additionally, Denver offers “Front Door” shelter access points for specific homeless demographics. Those sites include:

• For individual men: Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St.

• For individual women: Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St.

• For youth ages 15-20: Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St.

• Families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at (303) 295-3366.

“If a person is unable to make it to a Front Door shelter on their own, outreach can sometimes also assist with transportation,” Wamsley said, adding transportation to the other emergency shelters are offered at the Front Door sites.

Prior to the Thanksgiving shelter activation, Denver last opened emergency shelters on Nov. 18 and during the winter season’s first snowstorm in early November.

If the shelters reach capacity, then HOST will consider opening other locations “to meet the needs of the community,” Wamsley said.

Last year, Denver utilized the Denver Coliseum as a emergency shelter.

“Shelter utilization can vary based on a number of factors. During severe weather we try to utilize as many beds as possible across the shelter system, including existing front door and emergency shelters,” Wamsley said.

Denver’s homeless population remains high.

A Metro Denver Homeless Initiative point-in-time count, conducted on a single day in January, pegged Denver’s total number of homeless people at 6,539 in 2024, compared to 5,818 last year.

And the city saw only 150 fewer “unsheltered” people — individuals who sleep in public places, such as parks and in cars — compared to the previous year’s count.

Between 2022 and 2023, Denver’s “unsheltered” homeless population grew by 110 homeless people. This time around, that number dropped from 1,423 to 1,273 in 2024.