FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A fire that broke out on Saturday night in the kitchen of the Fort Collins Rescue Mission has left northern Colorado’s primary men’s homeless shelter heavily damaged, forcing the displacement of dozens of individuals and raising urgent concerns about shelter capacity ahead of the coming winter.
The Fort Collins Rescue Mission had served as a vital resource for men experiencing homelessness in the region, offering meals, beds and hygiene facilities. The fire has now shut down the main building indefinitely, and shelter officials say they have not yet found an alternative site that can match the original capacity.
“This is normally our seasonal overflow shelter for wintertime,” said Paula Ordaz, director of community life at the mission, referring to the temporary location they’ve now set up for use at 117 North Mason Street…