Denver’s proposed $26.2 million contract to purchase a halfway house for people with addictions and criminal records will go before the City Council again on Monday.
Denver’s purchase agreement with Denver 44th Avenue, LLC, is for a residential re-entry facility at 570 W. 44th Ave.
The proposed purchase is part of an ongoing city effort to move away from national, for-profit institutions. The 44th Avenue facility already caters to individuals with criminal records struggling with drug addiction.
The city has closed five such facilities since October 2019, which has reduced the overall availability of community correction options.
The city wants to have 550 slots for individuals but currently only has about 270.
In addition to the halfway house up for purchase Monday, the city plans to open another by September of 2025. That would increase the total capacity to 373 slots but still be short of the goal.
Currently, the 44th Avenue facility, also known as the MOORE Center, has a capacity of 100 beds, according to the contract agreement.