Denver City Council passes controversial Salvation Army contract

State of play: The new funding extends the nonprofit's contract to operate the Crossroads Center, a 24/7 emergency shelter near downtown with about 300 beds — and a troubled track record.

• Council members cited serious oversight concerns and safety-related allegations, including a sexual assault, at sites operated by the nonprofit.
• Still, closing the Crossroads Center would cause "more harm than good" for the people it serves, Council President Amanda Sandoval said before casting a "yes" vote.

What they're saying: "The Crossroads Shelter plays a key role in providing refuge and stabilizing support for our unhoused neighbors," city housing spokesperson Derek Woodbury said in a statement to Axios.

• He noted the Salvation Army's previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2024, but the group has continued providing services "in good faith."

Between the lines: Had the nonprofit's contract been rejected, the city had no clear backup plan in place, Woodbury said.

The other side: Housekeys Action Network Denver, an advocacy group that works with unhoused residents, urged a "no" vote — calling the Salvation Army an unreliable partner that mismanages its shelters.

What we're watching: With the nonprofit on notice, another round of controversy could put the city's patience — and funding — in jeopardy.