Loveland Speeds Encampment Removals As Shelter Beds Disappear
Loveland City Council voted Feb. 3 to eliminate a requirement that the city offer shelter for 60 days before clearing unauthorized encampments from public property, accelerating removals just as the city's shelter system shrinks.
The ordinance becomes law once publishing requirements are met, with enforcement phased in to allow for outreach and education. Loveland Police will continue offering resources and using discretion with compassion, the city stated.
But Loveland's shelter system is vanishing. The South Railroad Facility closed no later than Sept. 30, 2025. The Loveland Resource Center's temporary overnight permit extends only through March 15, 2026, with permanent closure April 30, 2026, remaining available only for severe weather.
Shelter capacity in Loveland has historically been tight. Last December, 61 individuals were turned away from Loveland's shelters, which are frequently at capacity, according to an American Civil Liberties Union analysis from September 2025.
According to the ACLU analysis, "LRC has space for about 20 beds, while the SRF holds about 50. But at full capacity, the LRC facility has a maximum of 40 beds."
A 2025 Point-in-Time count recorded 180 individuals experiencing homelessness in Loveland, with 78 unsheltered during the survey. As enforcement accelerates, people experiencing homelessness face faster removal from encampments but may find fewer legal places to sleep.
The city coordinates enforcement only "if shelter space exists," but has not released current bed counts, occupancy rates, or eligibility policies—making it unclear how many people can actually access shelter when enforcement accelerates.
City Council is expected to revisit homeless services in March. City Manager Jim Thompson recommended an ad-hoc committee of board and commission members work with faith-based organizations and service providers to review efforts and proposals for future homeless services.
For updates on the ordinance and homelessness services, residents can head to lovgov.org/homelessness.