Survival Guide – Denver Streets & Shelters
Hard-earned tips for staying safer, warmer and a little more sane in and around Denver.
Cold & layering
- Wool or synthetic base layers keep heat even when wet. Cotton kills in the winter – save it for summer.
- Layer like this: base layer (tight) → mid layer (hoodie/flannel) → outer shell (wind/water resistant).
- Cover your head, neck, hands and feet first; a cheap beanie and gloves can change your whole day.
Gear that earns its weight
- Lightweight headlamp (not just your phone flashlight) so you can keep both hands free.
- Trash bags or compactor bags to keep gear dry inside your pack or cart.
- Small notebook & pen to track bus times, caseworker names, dates and phone numbers.
- Power bank for your phone – ask day centers if they have charging lockers or outlets.
Moving around Denver
- Try to group errands by neighborhood so you’re not crossing the whole city on foot or bus all day.
- Keep a mental map of “safe spots” – libraries, day centers, coffee shops and parks where you can breathe for a minute.
- Know where the big shelter and resource clusters are (Lawrence/Curtis area, downtown, Capitol Hill) and plan your days around them.
Protecting your energy
- Limit how many times a day you tell your whole story to staff. It’s okay to say, “I’ve already explained this to intake.”
- Find at least one thing you do for yourself daily – music, writing, stretching, prayer, podcasts, whatever keeps you you.
- Remember: being unhoused is a situation, not your identity. You’re not the worst thing that happened to you.