Report Homelessness Concerns

Centennial’s municipal code prohibits camping in public rights-of-way, parks and other publicly owned property. The City recognizes this is a very challenging issue and works with local partners on solutions that balance neighborhood livability, safety, health, and compassionate and humane responses to homelessness.

Encampments on Public Property

Report Immediate Concerns to Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) 

  • If you are witnessing an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911. For example, if there is a potentially dangerous/violent situation involving an individual or encampment call 911 to report immediately.
  • For situations that seem safe and unlikely to be violent, call ACSO’s non-emergency line at 303-795-4711. The non-emergency number should be utilized to report “suspicious” people, unsanctioned vehicle camping or to ask an officer to check on someone’s welfare. If unsure, call 911.
  • The Homeless Outreach Coordinator will accompany deputies to these calls whenever possible or will follow up at a later date if unavailable.

Report Abandoned Camp to the City of Centennial

 To report an abandoned camp on public property for cleanup, contact the Citizen Response Center at 303-325-8000 or email the City of Centennial's Homeless Services Coordinator. Private property owners are responsible for cleanup of abandoned encampments and waste.

City of Centennial/ACSO Response

 ACSO personnel will respond as soon as availability allows. Established camping sites are given a 72-hour notice before removal, except in rare cases involving (non-camping) criminal activity or major health and safety hazards. ACSO will assess camp situations, attempt the most expedient resolution, connect outreach staff or service providers when possible and if necessary post the camp for removal. Following removal of an encampment, area cleanup is performed as quickly as available resources allow.

Encampments on Private Property

To Report Trespassing on Private Property

  • To report trespassing on your property call ACSO’s non-emergency at 303-795-4711 or by calling 911 if it is an emergency. You can also post no trespassing signs on your property and contact ACSO to add a "no trespass" note to the property for future service calls.
  • If you are witnessing an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911. For example, if there is a potentially dangerous/violent situation involving an encampment with the people still living there or if someone is trespassing on private property, call 911 to report immediately.
  • For situations that seem safe and unlikely to be violent, call ACSO non-emergency line at 303-795-4711. The non-emergency number should be utilized to report “suspicious” people, unsanctioned vehicle camping, or to ask an officer to check on someone’s welfare.
  • If requested by the property owner, the Homeless Outreach Coordinator may be available for field outreach with unhoused individuals to try to connect them with resources for food, medical care and housing. Depending on availability, the Coordinator may need to follow up at a later date.

City of Centennial/ACSO Response

  • ACSO can enforce certain violations of State Statutes or County Ordinances occurring on private property without the owner/manager being present by having a letter on file with the Sheriff’s Office. Examples of these Ordinances are parking on private property, trespassing on private property, littering on private property, panhandling and camping.
  • If you desire enforcement action during normal and non-normal business hours, you must complete a trespass letter with Arapahoe County and be willing to testify in court, should the need arise. Contact ACSO for more information.
  • ACSO recommends that private property owners concerned about trespassing and loitering also post signs clearly stating that these activities are prohibited, and that people who break this rule will be subject to law enforcement.
  • Cleanup of abandoned camps and waste are the responsibility of the property owner. Referrals for contractors specializing in encampment cleanups are available upon request. 

In Vehicles

Report Car Camping concerns to ACSO non-emergency line at 303-795-4711.

City of Centennial/ACSO Response

ACSO personnel will respond as soon as availability allows. They will assess vehicle locations and conditions, attempt to work with the vehicle owner, if possible, to mitigate and resolve the situation. Then if necessary, apply relevant law enforcement (which can have varying lengths of time as required by law) to resolve the violation, up to and including impound.

Related Information

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