No. It is not a viable option as the City’s staff resource capacity and funding are not available.

Addressing homelessness requires collaboration and resources. While the City can no longer lead this effort, we remain committed to being a community partner. With that in mind, the City is engaging various groups including nonprofits, faith groups, businesses, and residents to explore long-term, community-driven solutions.

Beginning October 1, 2025, enforcement of the encampment ordinance by the Loveland Police Department will be limited without a local shelter.

That said, LPD engages with community members consistently, day and night. That engagement does not change based on whether a person is homeless. The closing of the SRF will not prevent officers from responding to complaints involving disruptive, problematic, or criminal behavior.

The City’s trespassing ordinance is another tool that can be used in more limited circumstances to address camping and impacts to City property on a case-by-case basis.

While it is not designed to fully address the broader challenges of encampments, this ordinance prohibits use of public parks and facilities, public grounds, and trails:

• When they are closed.
• If they are being used for purposes other than what the public space is intended for.

It also prohibits camping on private property. We have successfully and selectively cited camping using the trespassing ordinance in the past, and it remains a practical tool that can support broader enforcement efforts on City property.

The full ordinance authorizing the emergency unauthorized encampment ban is on our homelessness webpage, lovgov.org/homelessness, but in short, the City Council determined that an emergency ordinance was necessary on this issue to mitigate unreasonable risk of fire and preservation of public and private property across the City. The ultimate goal is to ensure public health and safety for our community.

Neither the City Charter nor state law requires City Council to seek a public vote on the enactment of an emergency ordinance. According to the City of Loveland Charter, an emergency ordinance shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Council and may be introduced and finally adopted at any regular or special meeting, shall require only one (1) reading, and shall not require publication prior to final adoption.

The City has temporarily opened the LRC (137 S. Lincoln Ave.) for overnight shelter on a priority basis for individuals with the greatest need. Indoor space will be prioritized for women and individuals with physical disabilities. Others may camp behind the facility using their own tents.

This temporary use is supported by a temporary permit through March 15, 2026. The City is evaluating this approach daily in collaboration with nonprofit partners and community stakeholders, while continuing to explore additional short-term options and long-term solutions.

During the Oct. 7 virtual City Council meeting, City Council discussed early real property ideas in executive session. Executive sessions are confidential under Colorado law to allow Council to consider sensitive matters—such as negotiations or proprietary business proposals—without compromising the City’s position. These discussions are also preliminary in nature. Should Council choose to move forward, any formal decisions or next steps will be addressed in a public meeting.

As previously shared, the City has been working closely with community partners over the past several months to explore a long-term, inclusive strategy that incorporates wrap-around services. This approach also emphasizes prevention—addressing root causes of housing instability, including the need for affordable housing.

We are encouraged by the productive conversations taking place and the positive direction of this work. However, we are not yet at a point where formal proposals are ready for public discussion or decision-making. When that time comes, the City is committed to engaging the community and ensuring transparency around any proposed path forward.

Larimer County officials confirmed in May 2025 that they are not considering development of a regional shelter for people experiencing homelessness and do not have the resources for a project of this magnitude.

The County is the local government partner for a Regional Homelessness Strategy for Larimer County being produced by Homeward Alliance. Working with partners including Loveland, Fort Collins, Estes Park, Larimer County, and the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care, the plan is expected in September 2025. The strategy, based on stakeholder input, will be presented at the regional elected officials meeting in Timnath that month.

 The SRF opened in April 2023 and was approved for a two-year temporary permit under the Emergency Encampment Ban Ordinance. Based on City Council guidance provided during the February 25, 2025 Study Session, the City of Loveland extended the temporary permit for the South Railroad Facility Shelter (SRF) at 300 S. Railroad Ave. through Sept. 30, 2025. The SRF closed on that date.

First and foremost, The City is trying to do the right thing in the short-term while we work to identify a sustainable long-term solution with the community. The LRC isn’t a perfect solution, but there are no perfect solutions.  

Our team is doing everything we can to respond quickly, safely, and compassionately while balancing limited staffing, space, and resources. 

The City has temporarily opened the LRC (137 S. Lincoln Ave.) for overnight shelter on a priority basis for individuals with the greatest need. Indoor space will be prioritized for women and individuals with physical disabilities. Others may camp behind the facility using their own tents.

This temporary use is supported by a temporary permit through March 15, 2026.The LRC will operate on a 24/7 schedule during this period.

The Loveland Resource Center (137 S. Lincoln Ave.) will continue offering daytime services, and LRC staff and nonprofit partners will continue connecting individuals to resources, including shelter options in northern Colorado.

The Loveland Street Outreach Team, launched in 2024 with SummitStone Health Partners, continues connecting individuals to services, Contact: 970-494-9956 or OutreachLoveland@summitstonehealth.org.

The City has temporarily opened the LRC (137 S. Lincoln Ave.) for overnight shelter on a priority basis for individuals with the greatest need. Indoor space will be prioritized for women and individuals with physical disabilities. Others may camp behind the facility using their own tents. With this model, the LRC has capacity for 22 individuals inside and 20 tents behind the building. 

This temporary use is supported by a temporary permit through March 15, 2026. The LRC will operate on a 24/7 schedule during this period.

Find hours of operation, day services and contact information on the Loveland Shelter webpage. 

No, but the Chilson Recreation Center offers a reduced fee program available to Loveland residents who qualify based on income. Learn more about low income fee applications.