In 2025, Denver’s Asylum Seeker Program (DASP) will not continue as it exists today because there simply isn’t a need, according to city officials.
In April, during an influx of immigrant arrivals, Mayor Mike Johnston announced the creation of DASP , a program that connects new arrivals with housing and food assistance while also helping them apply for asylum and work authorization.
“We were really, really focusing on getting folks out of shelter and into sustainable solutions,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Denver Human Services.
But in the new year, the city said the program will not continue as it exists today because there simply isn’t a need.
“You aren’t seeing buses arrive by the day. You aren’t seeing the same number of newcomers. You aren’t seeing 30 to 40 people waiting outside of a Home Depot trying to find any kind of job they can to support their families,” said Ewing.
The city has seen a steady decrease in immigrants coming to Denver since its peak on Jan. 11, when more than 5,000 newcomers were being served. According to the City of Denver’s dashboard , only 12 newcomers arrived Tuesday and only 13 arrived Wednesday. There are 14 immigrants staying in short-term shelters, according to the city.