DENVER — Denver's closing one of the city's largest homeless encampments. On Thursday, they moved more than 100 people experiencing homelessness near 20th and Curtis streets into a former DoubleTree hotel on Quebec Street.
People living in tents near this intersection packed up their things in yellow bags. They then waited in line to hop on a bus to then be taken to the hotel. It's a step to wraparound support services and permanent housing as part of Mayor Mike Johnston's House1000 Initiative.
This is the fourth encampment closure to take place under Johnston's administration.
Packing up isn't new for people living at 20th and Curtis streets. Thursday's move felt different to those involved though.
"Yeah, because they are actually giving us somewhere to go- you know what I mean? They are giving us an option, a place to be," said David. He and his wife, Sarah, put their life into two bags because they got on a list to move into the former DoubleTree in northeast Denver.
"I am super anxious, ready though," said Sarah. "I'm ready for the bed and shower every day."
The couple and more than 100 other people lined up for buses as they city threw away what was left behind.
Before Thursday, outreach teams went tent by tent near 20th and Curtis to add names to a list for a hotel room. Then the city posted a 7-day notice about the cleanup. News traveled, and some looking for housing came to the area seeing if they could go inside too.
Unfortunately there just weren't enough rooms for everyone.
Mayor Johnston said next week they will move in another 100 people from a different encampment. Johnston said that'll put Denver past the halfway point of his goal to house 1,000 people by the end of this year.
The city plans to open other sites over the next two to three weeks.
A fresh start is what people are searching for.
"It is really, really hard to get back off once you are on the schedule of the streets," said Sarah.
On Thursday, Sarah waited to move again with bags packed and filled with hope.
"It takes a lot to turn it around once you are here," Sarah said.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Full Episodes of Next with Kyle Clark