Loveland Announces Plan For Homeless Sheltering for Winter 2025-2026

While Colorado's winters can be milder than say, Minnesota, they do get cold, especially at night. Loveland has been dealing with its homeless population since 2016; with the winter of 2025 approaching, the City announced its latest short-term plan.

The City of Loveland closed down its temporary homeless overnight shelter on Railroad Avenue in October of 2025 after two years, when the funding for it ran out. That put upwards of 50 people without homes out into the streets, without a place to go, at night. Without an official place for homeless to go at night, enforcing Loveland's encampment ban became problematic.

The City did let the Loveland Resource Center get a permit to serve as an overnight shelter for 30 days, in early October of 2025. Near the end of that October, the City decided to extend that temporary permit through the winter of 2025-2026, with the permit ceasing on March 15, 2026.

How Will the New Temporary Overnight Homeless Shelter in Loveland Work?

Based on fire code limits, the Loveland Resource Shelter can handle 22 individuals indoors, with women and those with physical disabilities getting priority. Outside the center, as of October of 2025, there's room for 20 tents (provided by those individuals using them) to be placed. With the extended permit, and outdoor tents, the city also added:

• Additional portable restrooms.
• Solar-powered lighting behind he facility.
• Onsite security available 24/7.

READ MORE: Loveland Holding Public Meetings to Discuss Homelessness Solutions

With the permit extension to March 15, 2026, that means that there is a place for homeless individuals to go, so the encampment ban will be enforced by Loveland Police.

What the City of Loveland said about where the money is coming from:

While continuing overnight shelter operations into the first quarter of 2026 was not part of the original plan, it is a necessary step. To fund the additional expenses, the City will use one-time money remaining from the 2025 budget.

Other notes regarding the city's handling of the homeless that they passed along:

• There have been no bus tickets to Greeley purchased or funded by the City.
• The Chilson Center does not let people in for free, though they do have a reduced-fee that's available, if persons qualify.
• The City does not distribute physical motel vouchers. Motel stays are used only in specific situations, such as when the inclement weather protocol is activated and the LRC is at full capacity. Availability varies, and priority is given to individuals with the highest shelter usage.