Sure, Sleep Outside, But No Sleeping Bags Allowed

Boulder, Colorado is often described as spot of beauty and compassion. But even here, in a county with an above-average median income and a below-average poverty rate, the effects of the recession can be seen in the empty storefronts and the growing numbers of homeless and precariously-housed people.

Recently a judge here ruled that it is not life-threatening to sleep outside in the winter. Perhaps not — if one has the correct gear. But in response to a homeless man who is fighting his "camping" ticket for sleeping outside when he was turned away from the local shelter, the judge also ruled that covering up with a blanket or sleeping bag is what defines sleeping outside as camping, an illegal activity in Boulder.

The "camper" had no other choice. The most recent Point in Time survey of homeless individuals in Boulder identified 564 homeless individuals in the city proper. The shelter is open only in the winter (it has closed now), has 160 beds that are distributed by lottery and has a 90-day stay limit. Temperatures often dip to 20 degrees at night, though hypothermia can occur at temperatures up to 40 degrees if there is also moisture involved.

HOME or Homeless Organized for More Equality, a group of homeless activists, has been appealing to the city for months to address the needs of homeless individuals and to decriminalize homelessness. Although both the city and county have pledged considerable resources to build more affordable housing, Boulder faces the same conundrum as the rest of the country. How do we implement long-term solutions while preserving the safety of our homeless community members?

This weekend HOME members will hold a sleep-in in front of Boulder's municipal building, to highlight the fact that Boulder's homeless are now sleeping outside. Their message is that anyone who has ever couch-surfed or lived with family after a bad divorce has been as homeless as the man sleeping outdoors. Activists are asking for people to join them on the municipal building lawn May 15-17 to highlight the injustice of this law. (Those who want to take part should contact the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center.)

Boulder in May is no picnic; we had a two-day snow storm this week and, based on the new ruling, the only acceptable protection from the elements in this city is layers of clothing. Who doesn't like to wear five pairs of sweatpants as pajamas?

Photo credit: keenduck