Englewood loses its only overnight homeless shelter
Bridge House is shutting down its operations after less than two years, leaving residents to find alternative housing or sleep outside.
By Harper Foster ·
Residents of Englewood, Colorado, lost their only option for overnight shelter this week when Bridge House announced it was closing its doors. The non-profit, which had operated the facility for just over a year, is now winding down all of its local programs. For many residents, the closure arrived with only a few days notice.
Matthew Carl, a participant in the organization's Ready to Work program, described the suddenness of the decision. Carl moved to Colorado after losing his job and had been staying at the shelter since August. He said staff told him they needed to find a new place to go because they did not have many options left. While the organization helped him secure a new job, Carl noted that dozens of other participants were left to figure out their next steps on their own.
"Most of those guys, they just are gonna do what they've normally done and try and live outside and survive," Carl said. He emphasized that the shelter provided more than just a bed. Staff connected residents with case managers who assisted with therapy, medication, food, and workforce support.
Bridge House, a Boulder-based non-profit, attributed the closure to the unpredictability of its funding. In a statement, the organization said it had attempted a restructure starting in January. This effort included the departure of its chief executive and the closure of other properties in Aurora. The organization stated that it would sunset its operations after three decades of serving communities in the Front Range.
Local partners were caught off guard. The Tri-Cities Homeless Initiative, which works with the City of Englewood to fund homelessness resources, told reporters it had not received formal notification of the closure. In a statement, Arapahoe County said it remains committed to addressing homelessness through partnerships and investment in affordable housing. The county noted that the number of people newly experiencing homelessness dropped by 18 percent in the 2025 count.
City officials are now working to fill the gap left by the closure. The Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan city councils will hold a joint study session on November 12 at 6 p.m. The meeting will focus on the future of the navigation center and next steps to support residents. The city has also launched a local resource guide to help connect individuals with the remaining services in the area.
Local non-profits are already seeing an increase in demand. Julie Hall, program director for HAAT Force, said her organization saw its highest number of people seeking help on the Friday after the shelter closed. HAAT Force typically provides 40 cold weather hotel vouchers but is now fundraising to offer more. Hall said the group is looking for volunteers and donations of food, hygiene items, and clothing to support those in need.
Bridge House outlined a timeline for its wind-down. The Englewood program and navigation center will close in mid-November. The Boulder program is set to close by December 31. A transition committee is working to create individualized plans for remaining participants and staff, including potential short-term moves to other facilities. The organization is also selling real estate assets and determining the fate of restricted funds.
