Denver homeless camp has decked-out open-air BAR that also rents out tents for prostitution

A homeless camp in Denver has a decorated open-air bar that also rents tents for prostitution.

The pop-up tavern is set up on the sidewalk of 23rd and Champa streets, where the city’s growing homeless population has made an encampment.

There are sun loungers and parasols and one of the tents appears to have been transformed into a street-side bar, with posts selling alcohol.

The camp is decorated with benches, rugs and tables and dozens of liquor bottles are proudly displayed.

Denver police are investigating after “numerous complaints” that the encampment is blocking the sidewalk and being used for prostitution.

The pop-up tavern is set up on the sidewalk of 23rd and Champa streets, where the city’s growing homeless population has made an encampment

“We heard there was an open bar, alcohol being sold and things like that,” said Denver Police Patrol Chief Aaron Sanchez. CBS Colorado.

“We have officers investigating that.”

On Monday, he and other officers and city officials investigated the camp and they saw a collection of liquor bottles displayed on dressers and bookcases.

There have been many complaints from pedestrians who say they are forced to walk on the road.

Police Chief Sanchez confirmed they are investigating reports of the open-air bar.

“We are investigating all other allegations regarding the bar setup and to that effect,” he said.

He added that there have been complaints about the benches and tents in the encampment being rented out for prostitution and that authorities are investigating.

Denver police are investigating after “numerous complaints” that the encampment is blocking the sidewalk and being used for prostitution

Denver Police Patrol Chief Aaron Sanchez, along with other officers and city officials, inspected the camp Monday and they saw a collection of liquor bottles displayed on dressers and bookcases.

Meghan Shay, a director of the homeless outreach group Step Denver, drove past the encampment every morning on her way to work and saw the makeshift bar.

She said serving alcohol to vulnerable people would worsen the city’s homelessness problem and pointed to a report showing that more than 80 percent of homeless people have had alcohol and/or drug problems throughout their lives.

Shay added that a report on street deaths found that drugs and alcohol caused 60 percent of homeless deaths in 2022.

Her organization Step Denver helps homeless men deal with mental health issues and recover from addiction.

In the Denver metropolitan area, the number of homeless people is up 32 percent this year compared to 2022.

The county had 9,065 people without homes in January, up from 6,884 the year before, according to data collected by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.