HOTline

If you would like to report an encampment, get resources to individuals you suspect are without homes, or get more information about the Homeless Outreach Team, please contact our hotline at 720-977-5900 or email us at Connections@ThorntonCO.gov. 

Purpose 

The Homeless Outreach Team works to identify and proactively outreach areas that are being occupied by people experiencing homelessness. They work with the unsheltered community members in order to decrease and eliminate any barriers that may be keeping them from gaining housing stability. 

Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) 

Our Homeless Outreach Team is out and about rain, shine, or snow! 

The city of Thornton's Homeless Outreach Team is a group dedicated to investigating encampments, making contact with Thornton's unhoused population, and providing resources to those experiencing homelessness. The team regularly does outreach, taking to the streets and investigating commonly-inhabited areas in order to provide hygiene items and referrals to shelter, food, and any other needed services. The team is an extension of the Community Connections division, which is the one-stop resource shop for people living in Thornton. 

Our team is funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). 

If you need other resources, such as food, shelter or utility payment assistance, contact Community Connections at 720-977-5800 or Connections@ThorntonCO.gov. 

Goals 

1) Build relationships with the unhoused, homeless service providers, and the community 

2) Make connections to shelters and services 

3) Work regionally to collect and analyze data to inform recommendations 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are HOT's hours?
We work from Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Currently, we are short-staffed. Thank you for your patience.

Does HOT remove people from their encampment? 
HOT is there to provide resources and services. HOT will do everything they can to let individuals know in advance if their encampment is to be removed by Code Compliance.

How can I help someone who is homeless?
Give the Homeless Outreach Team a call. HOT will then contact/connect individuals directly. HOT will be able to provide resources and services to them. If you do see that there is an emergency please call 911 immediately. 

Want to help with Adams County homelessness outreach?
Volunteers must commit to volunteer one shift per month for at least six months. Please reach out to Heather McClure, hmcclure@adcogov.org to submit your application and complete an orientation. 

If you have items that you no longer use and want to donate such as a cell phone, clothes, gloves, backpack, luggage, shoes, tent, blankets, non-perishable food, and many others, we will be more than happy to consider accepting the donation. Please give us a call at 720-977-5900 to talk more about donations. 

What is the definition of homelessness?
Homelessness is a period/episode where a person is not living in stable housing or is living in an emergency shelter, in the streets, couch surfing, in an institution for under 70 days, and other temporary living (living in unstable housing that is not permanent). Click here for a thorough definition of homelessness. 

What causes someone to become homeless?
Losing employment, fleeing from domestic violence, chronic health conditions, disability that impedes their workability, systematic inequality, and much more. 

What do I do if I want to report an encampment?
Please call the HOTline, 720-977-5900. If HOT is not able to take your call immediately please leave a detailed voicemail with your name, callback number, and location of the encampment. HOT will respond within 48 business hours.