- PDF meeting packet
- Video replay – video length 3 hours 51 minutes
Click on the agenda item in the menu to the right of the video to go to that part of the playback.
While the summary below is intended to be fair, it may contain errors and is ultimately one person’s interpretation. All interested parties are encouraged to view the relevant portions of the meeting recording to come to their own conclusions.
The summary is not comprehensive but notes highlights from the session.
CDOT Projects Update
The council first heard an extensive update from CDOT and RTD representatives on road improvements and proposed projects on state highways in the Thornton area.
The RTD Thornton Park-n-Ride (88th and I-25) has seen vast decrease in use, so the cost of a proposed I-25 median bus station proposal may no longer be justified.
The 88th bridge over I-25 can be improved whether or not the median station is built.
International Building and Fire Codes
Staff provided a briefing ahead of a council meeting agenda item on code revisions scheduled for May 13.
South Thornton Redevelopment Plan
Staff provided an update on the projects approved by council last year.
The unifying goal of the projects is “to encourage commercial reinvestment and community access to businesses in the south Thornton corridor through infrastructure investments and grant opportunities that improve mobility, pedestrian safety, and aesthetics.”
The city will work with Adams 12 FutureForward on producing 40 metal art panels to be placed throughout Thornton medians and right-of-ways.
Homelessness Policy Discussion
The staff posed policy questions to the council to get council’s guidance on future approaches to homelessness.
The presentation showed data on the increase in homelessness nationwide and in Colorado, noting that these data measures often under-measure homelessness.
The presentation cited a 2023 National League of Cities on homelessness to describe causes of and responses to homelessness. Staff noted that the city was active, to a greater or lesser extent, in all response areas.
The presentation noted that the Adams County homeless outreach team works in unincorporated areas of Adams County.
Council Member Ayala asked staff for more information on what Adams County is doing and their funding situation so that city’s efforts can better coordinate with the county (1:59:00).
Council Member Martinez asked about what capacity Adams County has with their current services. He also notes the absence of domestic violence shelters in Adams County compared to what is available in Denver.
Council Member Sandgren said that warming shelters become de facto homeless shelters (2:04:00). She wanted to know what city resources are being used and how recreation staff are supported/trained to serve a homeless population.
Sandgren noted that the homeless should be served at Community Connections, not in recreation department facilities that people are paying to use. {Note: the hours for the warming center are during the closed hours for recreation services.}
Sandgren said that the county needs to pay for city services that the county is directing homeless to use.
Sandgren asked the outreach team about their office hours and response time.
The Thornton homeless outreach team currently has four members.
Martinez asked about volunteer opportunities, and the outreach team representative said that volunteer positions were posted on the city website and that volunteers are active in support programs, such as meal distribution.
Staff described the differences between a warming center and a homeless shelter, indicating the staffing impact for a warming center is minimal.
Ayala noted that there are no homeless shelters in Thornton and asked about efforts to build a shelter in Adams County. Staff reported that discussions about shelters have been ongoing for years.
Sandgren said that homeless are showing up at the rec center when it is not open as a shelter and asked how that situation is being dealt with. Staff said that they are working with the rec center staff and that any location used as a warming center would face this issue.
Staff noted that unhoused people are resourceful in knowing what buildings are open at what hours, both public and private, as they seek shelter.
Martinez asked if there is data on increased crime at the rec center. Staff did not have immediate access to that data but will follow up.
Staff will be reviewing building options for warming centers for next winter.
The Thornton Police representative explained that the police focus on criminal complaints and providing peace keeping support for other staff working with the homeless.
Staff explained that there is a variety of camping ban legal language across the metro area. Thornton currently has no camping bans, only regulations about staying in flood plains, prohibition of tents, and a curfew for parks. Council may consider a criminal or civil camping ban in the future.
Ayala expressed that the city should do more to expand support programs, including working with the county and other municipal governments, before turning to civil or criminal penalties that would only exacerbate the precarious situation of unhoused individuals.
Salazar suggested creating an ad-hoc committee to get resident input. Martinez supported that idea to get input from residents and businesses.
Thornton Civic Observatory 