Turnaways at All Roads, Boulder’s largest homeless shelter, have “basically disappeared” since November, a sharp contrast to last year, when turnaways neared record levels.
All Roads turned away 12 people in November due to lack of capacity, and nine so far in December, according to Andy Schultheiss, a spokesperson for the shelter, which operates in North Boulder. Last year, the shelter turned away more than 300 people in November, peaking on Nov. 6, when 27 people were denied entry in a single day.
On Nov. 1, All Roads increased its winter bed capacity from 160 to 180 beds, as it did last year. “That explains some of the decline in turnaways in November, but far from all of it,” Schultheiss said.
“We’ve looked at different possible correlations with our turnaway rate and so far have found nothing that sticks,” he said. “It’s a genuine mystery.” Schultheiss said the shelter may work with CU Boulder to research the trend further.
Earlier this year, the shelter experienced record turnaways, with 33 people turned away in a single day in both May and August, after bed capacity was reduced in April following Boulder County cuts to a grant program that supports local safety-net providers. All Roads’ county funding dropped about 30%, from $900,000 to $653,500.
Potential federal funding changes could also affect the shelter. The Trump administration has sought to shift funding away from unconditional permanent supportive housing for high-needs homeless people. Those changes were temporarily rolled back this month following lawsuits from several municipalities and states, including Colorado.
Schultheiss said turnaways could rise again as temperatures drop further.
When the shelter reaches capacity, All Roads uses a lottery system to determine who can stay inside. Those turned away receive a blanket, hand warmers, a bus ticket and a bagged meal.
On “critical weather nights,” when temperatures drop below 11 degrees Fahrenheit, snowfall reaches at least six inches, or wind gusts exceed 70 mph, the city’s recreation centers open for overnight stays if the shelter is full. The shelter also opens its day services center on weekends during severe weather.
The need for shelter in Boulder remains high. As of the most recent Point-in-Time count in January, 693 people were experiencing homelessness in Boulder County, and 27% were unsheltered. That total is lower than in 2024, but remains higher than in recent years.
I want to see All Roads and HHS high level staff spend a night or two outside unsheltered when the criteria of “11 degrees Fahrenheit, snowfall reaches at least six inches, or wind gusts exceed 70 mph” is not quite met. People are still expected to make due outdoors even in 11 degree weather as long as there is not at least six inches of snow or gale force winds. This is so shameful and inhumane it’s insane it has to be pointed out. What next, kidnap freezing people of the streets and deport them to a foreign prison?