For two years since a declared state of emergency by the previous mayor, Michael Hancock, Denver has been a rapidly expanding hub for immigrants, predominantly from Venezuela. This declaration was made on December 15th, and since then, Denver has welcomed approximately 43,000 migrants.
January saw the peak of this influx, wherein over 5,000 migrants sought shelter in the city during an unforeseen icy weather emergency. Mayor Mike Johnston’s office now assesses that around 21,000 of these immigrants still reside within the metro region.
In response to this humanitarian crisis, Denver initially provided makeshift beds in city-owned recreational facilities, quickly followed by transforming local hotel rooms into temporary migrant shelters.
The following year commenced with the city’s shelters experiencing increased occupancy from the growing migrant population. As a result, municipal funds had to be reallocated from Denver Parks & Recreation and the Department of Motor Vehicles to keep up with sheltering needs.
By spring, the city had adjusted its approach to better serve the migrant population. This included hiring a dedicated immigration attorney, establishing a support program for newcomers, and focusing on preparing immigrants to settle permanently within Denver’s community.
The city leveraged the assistance of ViVe Wellness and Papagayo, local non-profit organizations, to assist migrant children with English language acquisition and school enrollment. These organizations also played a crucial role in connecting migrants to housing options after their shelter allotment expired, and aided in applying for work permits.
Yoli Casas, director of ViVe Wellness, estimates that about 30,000 migrant families, equating to 8,000 children, have resettled in Denver during this timeframe. She believes approximately 18,000 migrants continue to live within the city and its surrounding metro area. Many have also relocated to other towns such as Alamosa, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Greeley, Pueblo, and several mountainous regions.
According to Casas, ViVe Wellness had roughly 12 staff members in the beginning stages of the migrant influx in 2022. Just two years later, the organization expanded to 200 staff members dedicated to aiding migrant families.
As the summer approached, there was a noticeable decrease in the arrival of migrants and the strain on city resources began to alleviate. The city ceased using hotels for migrant accommodation in April.
Buses delivering migrants to the city halted in early June, a significant milestone considering the previous two years. There have been no subsequent arrivals reported since then.
Coinciding with this shift, Denver shut down its final migrant-housing hotel on June 30. However, refugee shelters remained operational in certain non-hotel locations including a church, a warehouse, and the Mullen Home, a former assisted living facility.
On the same day, city officials noted that migrant shelters empty for the first time since the emergency declaration in 2022. From the start of July onwards, the city reported fewer than 26 migrants sheltering in these locations each night.
In a recent report released in November by the Common Sense Institute, the taxpayer cost for care facilities and services provided to migrants in Denver was estimated. The total calculated since the announcement of the state of emergency in 2022 amounted to approximately $356 million.
This financial burden was shouldered by the city of Denver as well as a number of regional institutions providing healthcare and education services. It’s important to note that this expense captures the collective cost over the two-year period between 2022 and 2024.
Despite the decrease in migrant arrivals and resource utilization, Denver continues to serve as an essential refuge. It represents a sanctuary city willing to open its doors and adapt to a rapidly changing demographic composition.
Looking forward, the city, the NGOs, and the broader community will continue welcoming newcomers, and supporting them on their journey towards building a new life in Denver.