City Cast Denver logo
October 4, 2021

Are Denver's New Hotel Shelters Any Better Than The Old Kind?

City Cast Denver

Are Denver's New Hotel Shelters Any Better Than The Old Kind?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Denver has been in a housing and homelessness crisis for many years, and the pandemic only increased the need for more shelter options. In response, one of the City of Denver’s temporary solutions was to rent underutilized hotels and motels and convert them into a new kind of shelter. But as City Cast Denver Producer Xandra McMahon discovered, this temporary housing solution is leaving a lot to be desired. Today on the show, Xandra talks with Host Bree Davies about what she saw at one of these new shelters, what she’s learned from activists and the unhoused community, and how the City and its partners are working to improve this program — and maybe even make it permanent. 


For more, here’s Marshall Zelinger’s full report for 9News on the widespread vacancies at these temporary hotel/motel shelters: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/next/denver-hotel-rooms-homeless-empty/73-3dd22a0a-b274-4d1b-9088-d5aa7e58b918


Got something about Denver to share? Leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood: (720) 500-5418.


Want more news in your inbox every weekday? Subscribe to the City Cast Denver newsletter:  https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/


Find us on Twitter: @citycastdenver

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 12

Kyle Clark on GOP Exorcisms, CD-8 Switcheroos, and Tornado False Alarms

Can Victor Marx conduct exorcisms over the phone? The ordained minister and front-runner in the GOP primary for governor says so, and mad...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 11

Senator Michael Bennet on Housing Affordability, Redistricting, and How He’s Different From Gov. Polis

Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in congress since 2009. Now, the U.S. senator is running for governor – and is in the midst of a...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 10

Attorney General Phil Weiser on Data Center Moratoriums, Bike Lanes, and His Run for Governor

Governor Jared Polis is serving his final term and the Democratic primary race to replace him is heated. Attorney General Phil Weiser joi...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 9

UMS or Blucifer's First Rodeo? Plus, Bike Fest, CD1 Primary Challengers, and More From the Mailbag!

Host Bree Davies and Producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening up the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear listeners’ thoughts on everything fr...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 8

Where Denver Falls in the Harm Reduction Conversation

When it comes to numbers, the story of drug-related overdose deaths in America is simple. They increased slowly and steadily through the...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 7

'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Denver

Denver recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city po...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 5

Council Loses a Progressive Champion, Gay Bar Turtle Drama, and the Summer Mosquito Forecast

The Colfax staple Charlie’s got into trouble this week after a video posted to social media showed six little turtles “racing” on the leg...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 4

Wanda James on Working for Barack Obama, Being Censured, and Running for Congress

Diana DeGette has been representing Denver in congress since 1997, winning reelection 14 times in nearly 30 years on the job. The 1st Con...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 3

Melat Kiros on Money in Politics, Antisemitism, and Her Run for Congress

Could Denver see a new face in congress in 2026? Diana DeGette has held the 1st Congressional District seat for nearly thirty years, hand...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 2

Will the Broncos Stadium Actually Get Built By 2030? Plus, AI Backlash in Englewood and Which Congressperson Snubbed Us?

Last week the City of Englewood shared a video about the work they are doing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But the municipality was...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art