Herman James, a new resident of the Crossroads Resource Center, sits down for an interview on Sunday, April 15, 2024. Herman is waiting for his disability payments to begin. Due to an inability to work, he is totally reliant on these payments as a way to leave the homeless shelter. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
Killian is laughing and exchanging jokes with his interviewer on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Killian relocated to Denver from New Mexico. Shortly after arriving in Denver, he lost his car in an accident. He now has a job trimming marijuana plants and is residing at the shelter until he can afford an apartment and a new vehicle. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
John, better known around the shelter as "Einstein", prepares for an interview on Sunday, April 14, 2024. He is originally from Aurora, Colorado, and is waiting for his Social Security payments to begin so he can use that money to gain permanent housing. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
Elmo (left) and Daniel (right) prepare for an interview outside of the Crossroads Resource Center on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Elmo served as a translator for Daniel, who migrated to Denver from Venezuela in the pursuit of work and housing; so far, he has been unable to find either. (Javan Bair / CU Boulder CMCI)
Joseph Beasley (left) and Mississippi (right) shake hands after completing an interview on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Beasley was conducting interviews throughout the day, asking members of the unhoused community what their goals were for the future and how they plan on leaving the shelter. Joseph runs a permanent housing reintegration program, the College of Street Knowledge. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
A small headstone on Arkins Court near 29th Street. The memorial was created by those who witnessed the gruesome death of Austin, an unhoused resident of Denver. Austin was run over and killed by a semi-truck, allegedly transporting building materials for a nearby high-end apartment complex currently under construction. (Javan Bair/ CU Boulder CMCI)
Denver Police arrive at the corner of 29th Street and Arkins Court on Monday, April 15, 2024. The officers instructed the residents of a small tent encampment to relocate. The encampment was only feet away from the location where a homeless man was run over and killed by a truck hauling equipment to the nearby Arkins Promenade construction site. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
Unhoused people line the fence along 29th Street on Monday, April 15, 2024. The fence line separates the Salvation Army Crossroads Resource Center and a construction site that will soon become the Arkins Promenade apartments. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
A homeless person smokes a substance under the cover of a jacket along the Platte River Trail on Monday, April 15, 2024. This part of the trail runs parallel to the construction site of a new sprawling apartment complex known as the Arkins Promenade. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
Thomas, a member of the Denver unhoused community, poses for a portrait on Monday, April 15, 2024. He was riding toward the Platte River Trail when he noticed his friends tearing down their tents at the request of Denver Police officers. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
On Monday, April 15, 2024, a homeless person living near 29th Street and Arkins Court shows where they witnessed a fatal car accident involving a truck and an unhoused pedestrian. The victim, known as Austin, was residing in the tent encampment being dismantled at the direction of Denver Police. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
Tim poses for a portrait near the construction site for the new Arkins Promenade apartments on Monday, April 15, 2024. He explains that he seeks justice for his fellow members of the unhoused community in Denver, which he feels are being largely ignored by law enforcement. Tim feels vindicated in his cause, stating, "God is my attorney." (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)
A homeless man sleeps outside of the Salvation Army Crossroads Resource Center on Monday, April 15, 2024. It is not uncommon for members of the unhoused community to live in proximity to the shelter. This methodology allows for the unregulated use of drugs and easy access to the amenities provided by the homeless shelter. (Javan Bair/CU Boulder CMCI)