About Colorado Safe Parking Initiative
What is the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative (CSPI)?
CSPI is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization working to create a statewide network of safe, legal parking locations for people experiencing homelessness and living in their vehicles (PSV). The initiative was started by two women with previous experience living in their vehicles and is now led by a professional staff and an extensive group of volunteers, including a 7-member board of directors. The organization offers safe parking and relevant support services to PSV in the Metro Denver area.
What does CSPI do?
CSPI has developed a scalable service model for Colorado via “SafeLots” which provide individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a safe and stable place to park while connecting them to housing and other services that help them get back into more permanent housing. The organization is further involved in evaluating effectiveness of safe parking programs, advocating for PSV, and addressing legal barriers to safe parking. To do all of this, in addition to the Executive Director and a small staff, CSPI relies on volunteers, including people experiencing homelessness, members of faith communities, advocacy organizations, and representatives from government and academia.
How is the work funded?
CSPI operates with fiscal sponsorship from the Barton Institute for Community Change. CSPI’s partners and funders include The University of Denver, the Barton Institute for Community Action, as well as government and foundation grants, and countless individuals who have provided financial and in-kind support of CSPI. We greatly depend upon individual donations to carry out our daily work. Click here to support these efforts.
What has CSPI accomplished so far?
The first metro area safe parking pilot site opened in spring 2020, and there are now 13 SafeLots in 5 of the 7 Metro Denver area counties. In 2022 alone, CSPI provided safe parking to 190 households impacting a total of 262 people, providing shelter for an average of 116 households per night. CSPI’s budget has more than doubled since its first full year of operation in 2021 as the need for accommodation has risen.
CSPI supported several churches in Lakewood in advocating for City Council approval of an emergency ordinance allowing faith organizations to establish SafeLots with city-approved permits for a 2 year trial period. CSPI is working to make this permanent and is collaborating with the City of Denver to codify the emergency zoning code that allows for innovative solutions to homelessness such as Safe Parking.
Where are safe parking sites located?
There are currently 13 SafeLots 5 of the 7 Denver Metro counties. In 2023, CSPI is working to evaluate potential additional sites in the Denver Metro area and serving as advisors to state-wide communities who seek to establish similar programs.