Contact:  Tom Hacker, Public Information Officer, 970-962-2302 

The City-supported shelter, operated by the House of Neighborly Services at 137 S. Lincoln Ave., will be equipped to house as many as 20 people most in need of relief from blizzard-like conditions. Snow, high winds and temperatures in the teens forecast for Thursday and Friday nights.

The City Manager’s Office issued the order implementing the shelter plan on Wednesday, the second time the shelter has been activated this winter.

The City’s Community Partnership Office will be working with other agencies, such as the Community Kitchen and the House of Neighborly Services, to ensure that people who might require emergency accommodations are aware of the option. 

The City is contracting with a private firm to provide safety and security at the 137 S. Lincoln location, normally a day-use center for homeless services. 

The cold-shelter plan, developed jointly by the City and other community agencies, is activated by criteria that include a severe winter storm warning from the National Weather Service, a severe wind-chill advisory, and/or a forecast for temperatures falling below zero degrees. 

Any one of the above conditions will activate the plan, with the City’s Office of Emergency Management alerting the Community Partnership Office and the City Manager.