According to Denver police, a decked-out open-air tavern for the homeless that also rents out tents for prostitution has popped up in the downtown area. It features lounge chairs, umbrellas and Astroturf — has taken over the sidewalk at 23rd and Champa streets, which the city’s growing homeless population has turned into an encampment.
One of the tents appeared to have been transformed into a speakeasy, complete with numerous couches, rugs and tables.
The spot was littered with dozens of liquor bottles — all of which were empty and displayed proudly on thrifted dressers and bookcases when police rolled through earlier this week.
City officials have received “numerous complaints” about the encampment, blocking the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street to pass the block. As of now police are investigating the situation, they say a report on street mortality showed that in 2022, drugs and alcohol were the cause of 60% of homeless deaths. They say because of this, they want to hone in on the situation and resolve it.