City of Loveland
Home MenuCommunity » Addressing Homelessness
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Homelessness - About the Emergency Unauthorized Encampment Ban
On May 17 2022, Loveland City Council passed an emergency unauthorized encampment ban that allows the City to prohibit anyone camping illegally on public property.
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 City Council approved on second reading an update to the Encampment Ban Ordinance. The approved change removes the current requirement to offer shelter or store personal property for 60 days before clearing camps from public property.
Watch the meeting here, or review the agenda items here.
Once publishing requirements have been met, the ordinance will become law. The City is committed to implementing these changes responsibly and thoughtfully to ensure the transition happens the right way.
- When applicable, enforcement of the new law will be phased in gradually so outreach and education can occur first. Our goal is a smooth and successful transition for everyone involved.
- Loveland Police intend to continue offering resources to individuals they contact as able. If shelter space exists, it can be offered. The proposed change affects legal requirements, not the City’s commitment to connecting people with help.
- Loveland Police will continue using discretion with compassion, as they do in all interactions.
The full ordinance authorizing the emergency unauthorized encampment ban can be found here, 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.
Homelessness - About the Loveland Resource Center and Shelter
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.
Loveland is the only city in Colorado that directly owns the property and manages both daily and overnight shelter operations. From the beginning, we took on the role of managing the Loveland Resource Center (LRC) as a temporary measure, and we are now at a point where the City can no longer lead this effort or continue it alone. This important work is something cities are not equipped or prepared to manage.
However, we remain committed to being a partner. Since September, we’ve been working with nonprofits, faith groups, businesses, residents, medical providers and law enforcement to build a community-driven path forward that focuses on prevention, including affordable housing. Homelessness is a community topic and will require continued community-based options to solve.
Unfortunately, efforts to date have been unsuccessful. The City encourages continued community conversations about long-term solutions.
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.
* What plans or resources will be available to support individuals experiencing homelessness once the City is no longer operating a shelter?
Loveland is unique in Colorado as the only city that owns the property and directly manages both day and overnight shelter operations. From the start, the City took on this responsibility as a temporary solution. We’ve now reached a point where the City cannot continue leading this effort alone, as managing shelter services is not something municipalities are typically equipped to do.
While the LRC remains open, City staff will work closely with community partners to support people experiencing homelessness who regularly use these services. This includes helping individuals connect with resources, family support, and scheduling time with nonprofit partners to explore ongoing collaboration.
The Loveland Resource Center was created as a short-term way to meet needs in our community. The building itself isn’t designed for ongoing shelter—it doesn’t meet ADA accessibility standards and lacks the infrastructure for long-term use. In addition, operating a shelter is not something cities are equipped or intended to do. Moving forward, we’re committed to supporting local partners in finding sustainable solutions that best serve people experiencing homelessness in Loveland.
The dates are based on two key factors:
-
The overnight shelter is operating under a temporary permit that allows its use only until March 15.
-
The April 30 date lines up with when other shelters in northern Colorado wrap up their inclement weather services.
Loveland is unique in Colorado as the only city that owns the property and directly oversees both day and overnight shelter operations. From the start, this was intended as a temporary solution. We’ve now reached a point where the City cannot continue leading this effort alone, as operating shelters is not a role cities are designed or equipped to manage.
-
*What does temporary overnight shelter look like at the Loveland Resource Center under the temporary permit?
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. Four tents five beds each are behind the LRC for additional sheltering. With this model, the LRC has capacity for 22 individuals inside and 20 outside.
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.
- Homelessness is a community topic requiring community solutions. Therefore, we had a few northern Colorado nonprofit shelter operators, representatives from the Affordable Housing Commission, Human Services Commission as well as the Loveland Police Department.
Loveland is the only city in Colorado that directly owns a property and manages both daily and overnight shelter operations. From the beginning, we took on the role of managing the Loveland Resource Center (LRC) as a temporary measure, and we are now at a point where the City can no longer lead this effort or continue it alone. This important work is something cities are not equipped or prepared to manage.
Homelessness - How do I report, stay in-the-know?
The City department to contact depends on the location of the encampment.
-
For an encampment on public property (trails, open spaces, parks, or in/near any ditch), contact the Loveland Police Department non-emergency dispatch number at 970-667-2151 or you can report it by submitting details through the form at our Homelessness web page.
-
If you see an encampment on private property, contact the Code Administration Office at 970-962-2506.
-
Unauthorized camping on private property is considered trespassing unless the property owner has given an individual permission to camp on their land. Property owners that experience trespassing on their property can call the Loveland Police Department’s non-emergency line at 970-667-2151.
If you see an encampment, or something that could be dangerous, please do not approach or touch an encampment or anything that could be dangerous in public property. If you see anything dangerous that is not an encampment, please call the Loveland Police Department’s non-emergent line at 970-667-2151. If there is an emergency that requires police, fire, or medical response, please call 911.
-
All reports of encampments are recorded and investigated. This process takes time. Please know that the City is working hard to assist you.
Unauthorized camping under Municipal Code 9.47.010 means spending the night, residing, or dwelling at a place where it is not allowed. This activity may involve a vehicle, tent, or other enclosure. Signs of residing or dwelling somewhere include eating, sleeping, preparing to sleep, or storing personal possessions at that location. Camping does not include napping during the day or having a picnic meal.
Camping on public property is not allowed. Additionally, people cannot reside in motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, tents, boats, or other camping facilities on private property (except for areas specified for this use, such as an RV park) under Municipal Code 16.24.020. Municipal Code 15.12.010 bans residing in anything that does not have a certificate of occupancy, including sheds.
- Public property includes rights of way (such as roadways, curbs, sidewalks, medians, and the area between curbs and sidewalks, known as parkways), trails, public parking lots, alleys, catch basins, pedestrian or transit malls, open space, natural areas, stormwater infrastructure (including bridges), and City properties or facilities owned or leased by the City, including City buildings, parks, and vacant land.
Homelessness - Other Questions
The City does not issue physical motel vouchers to individuals.
Motel stays are only used in specific situations:
- When the LRC is full and the inclement weather protocol has been activated.
- In rare cases, for individuals with disabilities or other special needs when shelter space is unavailable.
If motel use is likely needed, we contact motels on a case-by-case basis to check availability. Participation varies, so there is no fixed number of rooms or guaranteed locations. For safety and privacy reasons, we do not publicly share the names of participating motels.
*Does the City provide free passes to Chilson for showers or other use to those experiencing homelessness?
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.