By The Lobby
Denver’s homeless advocates gathered outside the City and County Building on Saturday morning to express their dissatisfaction with Mayor Mike Johnston’s decision to veto a bill that would have prohibited homeless sweeps in freezing temperatures. Despite the frigid conditions, about a dozen members of Housekeys Action Network (HAND) showed up to voice their opposition to the mayor’s announcement.
The City Council Ordinance 23-1960, introduced in December, aimed to amend the municipal code to prevent various city agencies from clearing homeless encampments when temperatures dropped to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
However, on February 2, Mayor Johnston vetoed the “No Freezing Sweeps” ordinance, which had been passed by the Denver City Council with a narrow 7-6 vote.
Proponents of the bill argued that it would ensure the safety of people experiencing homelessness, as they claimed that cold-weather sweeps posed health risks to those forced to be outside. On the other hand, opponents believed that the ordinance would leave more people on the streets in unsafe freezing conditions.
The “No Freezing Sweeps” bill sought to prohibit city agencies from removing structures like tents when the temperature was at or below 32 degrees.
Mayor Johnston had been vocal about his opposition to the bill since early January, emphasizing that it would hinder the city’s crucial work of relocating homeless residents into shelters.
In a letter to the Denver City Council explaining his decision, Johnston wrote, “When the weather turns cold, our primary goal is to move people experiencing homelessness inside. Though well-intentioned, this legislation would restrict the city’s ability to do this life-saving work for approximately four months of the year.”
The mayor’s administration assured the public that they do not intend to conduct encampment sweeps in freezing temperatures unless there are significant public health and safety risks involved.
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This marks Johnston’s first veto during his mayoral administration. In comparison, his predecessor, Michael Hancock, only vetoed two bills in his twelve-year tenure, one in November 2021 reversing a ban on flavored tobacco products, and another in February 2020 overturning an ordinance to legalize pit bulls.
There is still a possibility that the City Council can override the mayoral veto. The bill will be discussed at the council’s upcoming meeting on February 12.