Denver's shelter system is run by multiple nonprofits and the city, not one central office

Denver does not have a single shelter you call to get a bed. Instead, the city contracts with about a dozen nonprofits to run shelters, and each one has its own intake process, rules, and bed availability. Some serve families only, some serve single adults, some accept people with pets, and some have restrictions on substance use or mental health crises. The fastest way to find a bed is to call the Denver Police non-emergency line at 720-913-2000 and ask for a shelter referral, or to go directly to a shelter's front desk during intake hours.

The city also runs a coordinated entry system that tries to match people to the right shelter based on their situation — whether you have children, whether you need medical care, whether you have a pet. But coordinated entry is not a may provide of a bed; it is a way to route you to the shelter most likely to have space. Shelters fill up, especially in winter, and some nights every bed in the city is taken.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Denver Police non-emergency (720-913-2000) or walk into a shelter during intake hours to request a bed; there is no central process.
  • Different shelters serve different populations — families, single adults, people with pets — so the shelter you are referred to depends on your household composition and needs.
  • Shelters have rules about curfew, substance use, and behavior; breaking them can result in a ban from that shelter for a period of time.
  • Winter shelters (November through March) have more beds than summer shelters, and overflow shelters open when temperatures drop below freezing.
  • Bring a photo ID and proof of income or benefits if you have them, but lack of ID will not prevent you from getting a bed.

Major shelters in Denver and what they serve

Denver Rescue Mission (2060 Lawrence Street) serves single adult men and women, accepts walk-ins during intake (usually 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.), and provides meals and basic services. They do not accept people actively using substances on the premises, and they require participation in their evening program. Phone: 303-297-1815.

Samaritan House (1545 Platte Street) serves families with children and single mothers. They have both emergency shelter beds and transitional housing. Intake is by referral through coordinated entry or by calling 303-534-0646. They accept families with pets and provide case management services.

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless runs multiple sites: the Stout Street Health Center (635 Stout Street) serves single adults and has medical services on-site; the Pontiac Building (1455 Pontiac Street) serves families. Both accept walk-ins and referrals. Phone: 303-293-2217.

Urban Peak (1401 Wynkoop Street) serves youth ages 12 to 24 and is one of the few shelters that accepts teenagers. They have drop-in services during the day and overnight beds. Phone: 303-832-1202.

The Delores Project (1401 Wynkoop Street, same building as Urban Peak) serves LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Phone: 720-443-1714.

What to bring and what to expect at intake

Bring a photo ID if you have one — a driver's license, passport, or state ID. If you do not have ID, most shelters will still take you, but you may be asked to provide other proof of identity or address. Bring proof of income if you receive Social Security, unemployment, or other benefits; this helps shelters understand your situation and connect you to resources. Bring your Social Security card if you have it.

At intake, staff will ask you basic questions: your name, date of birth, where you slept last night, whether you have family or friends in Denver, whether you have a job, and whether you have any medical or mental health needs. They will ask about substance use and whether you are currently using. They will ask whether you have a pet. Be honest — the answers determine which shelter can take you and what services they will offer. Lying about your situation can result in a ban.

Intake usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will be assigned a bed (or told that no beds are available that night), given a curfew time, told the shelter's rules, and shown where to store your belongings. Most shelters provide a meal, a shower, and a place to sleep. Some provide case management or job training. Rules are strict: no drugs or alcohol on the premises, lights out at a set time, no weapons, no violence. Breaking the rules results in a ban, usually for 30 to 90 days depending on the violation.

Winter shelter expansion and overflow beds

Denver's shelter system expands significantly from November through March. The city opens additional beds at churches, community centers, and other facilities when the regular shelters are full. When the temperature drops below freezing, the city activates its severe weather protocol, which means shelters must accept anyone who shows up, even if they are over capacity. On those nights, cots are set up in gymnasiums and other large spaces.

Winter shelters are temporary — they close in April. If you are in a winter shelter and want to stay housed after April, you need to work with a case manager to find transitional housing or permanent housing before the shelter closes. Many shelters have staff who help with this, but you have to ask and be willing to participate in the process.

Getting connected to case management and housing resources

straightforward getting a bed does not solve homelessness. Most shelters have case managers on staff or can refer you to one. A case manager helps you find a job, explore for benefits, resolve legal issues, and eventually move into housing. This process usually takes months, not weeks. You have to show up to appointments, be honest about your barriers, and be willing to work toward housing.

Denver's Housing First program prioritizes getting people into permanent housing quickly, even if they have barriers like criminal history or active substance use. If you are referred to Housing First, you will be placed in an apartment and given case management and support services. You do not have to be sober or employed to enter Housing First, but you do have to agree to work with a case manager and follow a lease.

Ask your shelter's case manager about Housing First, transitional housing programs, and rapid rehousing. Different programs have different requirements and timelines. Some require you to be sober; some do not. Some require employment; some do not. Knowing what programs exist and what they require helps you plan your next step.

Shelter rules and what happens if you are banned

Every shelter has rules. Common ones: no drugs or alcohol, no weapons, no violence or threats, curfew between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., lights out by 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., no guests, no leaving and returning during the night, participation in meals or programs. Breaking a rule results in a warning, a one-night ban, or a longer ban depending on the severity and your history at that shelter.

If you are banned from a shelter, you can usually go to a different shelter that night. Bans are shelter-specific, not city-wide. However, if you are banned from multiple shelters for violence or threats, you may end up with nowhere to go. If you are banned, ask the shelter staff what you did wrong and what you need to do to be unbanned. Most bans last 30 to 90 days. Some are permanent.

If you have a mental health crisis or are suicidal, tell shelter staff when ready. They can call a crisis team or take you to a hospital. Do not try to hide a crisis — shelters are equipped to help, and staff have seen everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a pet?

Samaritan House and some other family shelters accept pets. Call ahead to ask. If your shelter does not accept pets, ask staff about pet boarding programs or foster care while you are in shelter. Some nonprofits will care for your pet temporarily so you do not have to choose between your pet and a bed.

Can I stay at a shelter if I have a job?

Yes. Many people in shelters work full-time or part-time. Shelters do not require you to be unemployed. You may be asked to contribute a small amount of your income toward shelter costs, but this varies by shelter. Ask at intake.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a bed. Shelters do not require a Social Security number to provide emergency shelter. However, you will need one to explore for most housing programs and benefits. Ask your case manager to help you explore for one if you do not have it.

Do I have to participate in programs or counseling to stay at a shelter?

It depends on the shelter. Some require attendance at evening programs or religious services; some do not. Ask at intake what is required versus what is optional. Refusing required programs can result in a ban.

What if the shelter is full?

If all regular shelters are full, you will be referred to an overflow shelter or told to call back the next day. On nights when it is freezing, the city must take you somewhere. If you are turned away, ask for a list of other shelters and their phone numbers, or call 720-913-2000 again and ask for another referral.