FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Fort Collins Rescue Mission said it has been forced to turn people away more than 400 times since a fire in August damaged its main shelter building, leaving fewer beds available as temperatures continue to drop.
The shelter, located at the corner of Jefferson and Linden streets, has been a staple in the community for more than a decade. But after a kitchen device malfunction sparked a fire, the main building was closed and staff have had to rely on an overflow space to house people experiencing homelessness.
“It’s getting colder and colder as the seasons change,” said Seth Forwood, vice president of programs at the Fort Collins Rescue Mission. “We’ve had a steady stream of people showing up at our doors that we can’t let in.”…