The city of Denver says it will begin enforcing an ordinance that requires sidewalks and other public right of ways to remain clear. It's become a big issue and even a health concern in the area of Lawrence Street and Park Avenue West where there are several homeless shelters.

"Certainly we want to be a good neighbor," said Alexxa Gagnier, Director of Public Relations for the Denver Rescue Mission. "We want to respect neighbors and people in the area. There have been times when I have personally been down in the area and wasn't able to walk through the sidewalk, so certainly that is very valid in finding that balance."

On Monday morning the city will begin posting flyers in the area to let everyone know that they plan to begin enforcing the ordinance. Items will have to cleared from the sidewalk within 24 hours. If that doesn't happen, the city will take them and move them into temporary storage.

"I want to stress that if it comes to that we do have a plan in place where we will itemize and log and put all personal belongings [in storage], so that people can come and retrieve those," said Julie Smith a spokesperson for the City of Denver. "This is not an easy situation and certainly we want to do everything we can to preserve any important documents or electronic devices, things like that, that someone would be rightfully upset if they lost."

Smith says Denver Public Works Employees began cleaning the area three days a week in September

"They would pressure wash the sidewalks and just encourage people just to seek services," she said. "In January it got to the point where that had to increase to a daily activity. So we're really in this place where we're facing potentially a public health issue if we don't act and do something."

According to the city, no shelter within the city has refused any homeless person entry. Although several shelters are operating below capacity, the city says some of people are refusing services and choosing to camp on the streets.

"We really want to try to connect folks to services that can help them move away from homelessness," said Smith. "This is really an unsanitary, unhealthy situation not just for the people out here, but for the neighborhood itself as well."

Items removed by the city will be taken to 1221 Glenarm Place where they will be available for pickup Monday through Friday between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Property that is not claimed within 30 days will be destroyed.

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