Loveland Extends Winter Shelter Through March as Long-Term Homelessness Strategy Remains Uncertain
The City of Loveland will extend overnight shelter operations at the Loveland Resource Center through March 15, 2026, maintaining temporary accommodations for vulnerable residents during winter months while city officials continue exploring permanent solutions with community partners.
The extension ensures continued access to shelter and support services at the facility at 137 South Railroad Avenue, though no timeline exists for announcing a long-term strategy. The city will fund the additional expenses using one-time money remaining from the 2025 budget.
"First and foremost, our goal is to do the right thing while we collaborate with partners on an inclusive, strategic long-term plan," said City Manager Jim Thompson in the October 28 announcement. "We're having productive conversations and moving in a positive direction."
The temporary permit extension comes as Loveland conducts community conversations on homelessness, with a second session scheduled for November 5. The discussions use a facilitated approach designed to gather resident perspectives rather than develop immediate solutions.
Shelter Capacity Limited by Fire Code and Space
The LRC currently offers indoor overnight shelter for up to 22 individuals based on fire code restrictions. Indoor space is prioritized for women and individuals with physical disabilities.
Outdoor shelter capacity varies depending on available space for tents behind the facility. Approximately 20 tents can be accommodated at this time. Individuals using outdoor space must provide their own tents.
The facility includes 24-hour onsite security, additional portable restrooms and solar-powered lighting installed behind the building to improve visibility and enhance security.
The city maintains separate youth-focused shelter operations through the Matthews House, which operates The Landing at 814 East 16th Street for individuals ages 15 to 21.
Camping Ban Enforcement Resumes
Loveland's encampment ban remains in effect and is being enforced now that overnight shelter is available at the LRC. The ban, passed by City Council on April 18, 2023, prohibits camping on public property and outlines misdemeanor penalties for violations, according to Loveland Municipal Code.
There are no designated camping areas outside of the LRC.
Fort Collins operates under similar restrictions but faced legal limitations following the 2020 Weimold v. City of Fort Collins case, which ruled the city cannot enforce its camping ban when shelters are over capacity. That decision followed the federal Martin v. Boise precedent establishing constitutional protections for homeless individuals when no shelter exists.
Between 2022 and 2024, Loveland conducted nearly 1,000 encampment sweeps before pausing enforcement last year when shelter space was unavailable.
City Addresses Misinformation About Services
In response to recent community questions and misinformation, the city clarified several facts about its homelessness services.
The City of Loveland has not issued or funded any bus tickets to Greeley. The city does not provide free passes to the Chilson Recreation Center for those experiencing homelessness, though the facility offers a reduced fee program available to Loveland residents who qualify based on income.
The city does not distribute physical motel vouchers. Motel stays are used only in specific situations, such as when the inclement weather protocol is activated and the LRC is at full capacity. Availability varies, and priority is given to individuals with the highest shelter usage.
Prevention Focus Addresses Root Causes
The city's developing strategy will focus on prevention by addressing factors that lead to housing instability, particularly affordable housing shortages.
A minimum-wage worker in Larimer County must work more than 80 hours per week to afford local rents, according to Colorado State University research. As of 2023, Larimer County faced a documented need for at least 12,000 affordable units for low- and moderate-income households, according to regional homelessness planning documents.
Over 13,500 households in Larimer and Weld counties were severely cost-burdened in 2022, spending more than 30 percent of income on housing, according to data from the Colorado Health Institute. Median rent in Fort Collins and Loveland exceeds $1,400 per month, while many residents pay more than 50 percent of income for housing.
Emergency shelter and crisis services often cost $38,000 to $95,000 per person annually including medical crises, police involvement and emergency housing, according to Fort Collins social sustainability data. By comparison, permanent supportive housing with case management and stability supports costs an estimated $13,700 to $25,700 per person annually.
Budget Challenges Limit Permanent Solutions
While continuing overnight shelter operations into the first quarter of 2026 was not part of the original plan, city officials described it as a necessary step. The use of one-time money from the 2025 budget provides only a temporary funding mechanism that cannot support ongoing operations without securing annual appropriations, grants or dedicated tax streams.
Loveland spent more than $4.1 million in 2022 and 2023 setting up previous shelter facilities and paying for motel space. In 2024, the city spent over $2.2 million operating the Loveland Resource Center and the now-closed South Railroad facility.
Financial pressures intensified after Loveland voters eliminated a 3 percent city sales tax in November 2023, forcing City Council to consider budget cuts across multiple services.
The city closed its South Railroad Facility at the end of September, eliminating 70 overnight shelter beds. The temporary shelter opened in April 2023 at 300 South Railroad Avenue in response to visible encampments.
In February, City Council voted 5-4 to indefinitely postpone a rezoning request from First Christian Church that would have allowed the church to host a resource center and shelter for 500 people without requiring city funds. The church withdrew its application after the council vote.
Regional Context Shows Similar Challenges
Larimer County has an estimated 800 to 1,200 people experiencing homelessness at any given time, representing 22 percent of all unsheltered people in the Colorado Balance of State Continuum of Care, according to 2022 data. Weld County has approximately 500 to 700 unsheltered individuals.
Wage stagnation, rising rents, increased food and utility costs, and limited employment opportunities for entry-level workers are central drivers of homelessness across Northern Colorado, according to regional planning documents. Gaps in mental health and substance abuse care also increase housing instability.
Visit lovgov.org/homelessness for updated information. While there is no set timeline for a long-term strategy, the public will be notified as updates become available.
Additional questions can be addressed by calling the Homelessness Hotline at 970-962-2150 or emailing [email protected].