WEEK OF AUGUST 29, 2024
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 38
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Some frustrated over Parker’s handling of county PrideFest
Douglas County ‘effectively’ ends homelessness, but the data is nuanced BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A group of around 20 people who came to oppose PrideFest stood outside the event in the parking lot, wearing white shirts that PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD said, “You are loved.” BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For a second meeting in a row, a small group of people voiced their concerns and discontent with Parker’s handling of the Douglas County PrideFest.
“I’ve never seen such division and discord as I saw culminating in the events of the PrideFest weekend,” Holly, who did not provide her last name, told members of the town council on Aug. 19. PrideFest was held on Aug. 4 at Salisbury Park and its organizers de-
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scribed it as a successful affirming celebration of diversity for several hundred people, despite demonstrators who said they came to pray for event-goers as part of an effort led by a group called Stand in the
For nearly two years, an outreach team has traveled around Douglas County, contacting unhoused people — often more than once — to build trust and offer them help. Now, the county says it has “effectively ended homelessness,” attributing its success to the outreach program and other efforts. Officials are “pleased to announce that we have functionally ended homelessness in Douglas County,” said county Commissioner Abe Laydon, noting that officials counted just six people sleeping outside in the county on one night this summer. “That is about as close to functional zero as we’re going to get.” Earlier this year, a count had found 80 homeless people — sheltered and unsheltered — in Douglas County. SEE HOMELESSNESS, P4
SEE PRIDEFEST, P9
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HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH STAKES Mountain emergency response teams are on the scene P16