Denver, CO. Public Health Agencies Speak up Against Freezing Sweeps

Attached see a letter from multiple local public health organizations – including Colorado Public Health Association, Human Impact Partners, and more – speaking up against sweeps of houseless people and their property in freezing weather. 

Here is one quote from their letter —

“As the shelters of encampment residents are removed, residents
become directly exposed to cold weather conditions and for a longer amount of time — as they scramble to figure out where to go next. The intensity and duration of their exposure to cold substantially increases risk of injury and mortality. In fact, researchers have found excess mortality due to cold-related injury among houseless individuals compared to the general population — for example a prior cold-related injury such as frostbite, hypothermia, and immersion foot increases the odds of death by almost seven times.”

These Public Health agencies specifically urge City Council to “to protect the health of Denver residents by eliminating sweeps when temperatures are below freezing.”

May the City listen and action be taken…

(Next there are more sweeps scheduled and no-notice camping ban enforcement and sweeps are happening every day – even in the extreme cold…)