Denver Rescue Mission plans to lay off 71 employees at the end of the year after its contract with the city to operate the 48th Avenue Center comes to a close. The nonprofit filed a layoff notice with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on October 30, citing the termination of its agreement to run the shelter at 4600 E. 48th Ave., near Interstate 70 and Colorado Boulevard.
The job cuts affect custodians, chefs, community coordinators, intake specialists and case managers, according to the organization’s notice, as reported by The Denver Post. The shelter has provided men with overnight beds, three meals a day, bathrooms and other support services, and Denver Rescue Mission describes the location as operating around the clock in partnership with the city, according to Denver Rescue Mission.
Nonprofit Says It Didn’t Seek a New Deal
Denver opened bidding for new shelter-management contracts covering 2027, but Denver Rescue Mission did not apply to continue operating the 48th Avenue Center, according to Julia Marvin as reported by the Post. The organization’s chief external relations officer, Alexxa Gagner, said the decision was part of broader strategic planning and a shift toward trauma-informed, dignified care, the newspaper reported. Gagner added that the Mission is moving away from large warehouse-style shelter models.
Gagner said she hopes the 71 affected employees will be hired by whoever takes over running the shelter next, per the same account. The city has not identified a planned manager for the 48th Avenue Center, and the Post’s report does not establish who will run the site once Denver Rescue Mission’s contract ends.
Services Expected to Continue Without Gap
Denver’s Department of Housing Stability plans to discuss 2027 shelter-service provider contracts at a committee meeting next Tuesday, according to Marvin. Marvin said there will be no interruption to services at the site despite the operator change, the Post reported…