Denver is grappling with a surge of more than 40,000 new residents due to the ongoing border crisis, placing a significant strain on the city’s infrastructure and resources. The capital, home to over 700,000 people, is the latest to see an influx of migrants, highlighting broader issues faced by regional communities.
Supporting the growth of its newly-arrived populous has proven to be a significant challenge for Denver, particularly its role as a ‘sanctuary city’ for those in need. With the surge in numbers, the city’s services – from shelters to healthcare – have been stretched to their limits, prompting state officials to institute time limits on temporary accommodations to manage daily arrivals.
Healthcare providers, including Denver Health, are reaching out to local and federal authorities for much-needed aid, as the situation has led to overcrowded facilities and a strained medical system. The added strain on the system comes at a cost for the city’s economic landscape. Reports from local businesses cite tent cities sprouting up in response to the housing crisis, which have led to declines in consumer activity, particularly in the vicinity of downtown Denver.
Dr. Steven Federico, a pediatrician and chief of government and community affairs at Denver Health, told NBC News the hospital has sought aid from state and federal government agencies.
“I think it’s been an unheeded call so far in terms of who’s going to be responsible for the health care of this population,” Federico said. “In the meantime, it falls on safety net hospitals like Denver Health.”
“[There were] 200 plus tents around our business,” Samantha Menendez, co-owner of “One Shot Back” bar in Denver stated in an interview on Fox & Friends. “There’s people right across the street that couldn’t even get to our door, so decline was pretty quick. The first three months, it was fine. After that, it was pretty aggressive for the decline of business.”