The Bridge’s new facility is now open and ready for use.
The shelter has been a crucial part of the Cortez community for more than a decade, but the new site will allow it to not only shelter those experiencing homelessness, but also provide transitional housing to people working toward independent living.
Early Saturday afternoon, dozens of locals and project supporters crowded into the downstairs entryway for a grand opening of the new facility, complete with tours and blessings.
“We’re dedicating this building today, and thank you for being a part of this,” said Laurie Knutson, executive director of The Bridge. “But the true dedication happens on Monday night, when we open.”
The Bridge was established in 2006 to address issues of homelessness and hypothermia in Cortez. Initially located at the old Justice Building, it provides emergency housing from October to April for those experiencing homelessness.
Since its founding, The Bridge has housed more than 3,300 guests, providing nearly 53,000 nights of stay and just fewer than 105,900 meals.
In 2010, The Bridge started to operate and manage the Cortez Day Labor Center as a way to provide income opportunities for shelter guests, along with others throughout the community.
The new facility allows the shelter’s offerings – providing transitional housing to help working people get back on their feet.
Located at 735 N. Park St., the new building stands adjacent to the Montezuma County Combined Courthouse, on a parcel donated by the county and the Cortez Addiction Recovery Center.
The Bridge broke ground on the $2.5 million facility in September 2018, with funding coming from a variety of sources: more than $251,000 was donated by local foundations, businesses, and community members; the project received $1.2 million in grants from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs; $100,000 came from foundations outside of the region; and in fall 2018, the shelter received a $560,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka and its Affordable Housing Program.
Weeminuche Construction, of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, was contracted to build the facility.
At the Saturday celebration, Knutson thanked many people and organizations that had made the site possible. She noted that they had sought input from those who would be using the new facility.
“I want to thank the many homeless people who also had some input in this building,” she said.
The building operates on a two-floor system. The bottom floor provides emergency housing during the colder months, with a sober wing and a wing for those under the influence.
“That was the number one thing they wanted,” Knutson said.
The kitchen on the first floor is a commercial kitchen, capable of serving meals every day during the shelter season.
About 75% of daily shelter guests are sober, according to The Bridge staff. These guests can socialize in the dining area, do laundry, and watch television, in the downstairs common space. They are also able to leave their belongings on a bunk, said staff member Tara Walker.
The rooms for those under the influence have mats rather than beds, to prevent the risk of falling out of beds, according to staff.
By remaining sober, maintaining employment, and showing their ability to live with other people, guests can work their way up to the transitional housing apartments.
On the top floor are 11 units – nine one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments, with space for two people in each bedroom. One handicapped bedroom is also available on the first floor.
The second floor has a communal space with a couch, along with a sunroom and porch along the end of one hallway – especially important as a way to maintain a social community for people transitioning to living on their own, said board member Jan Dixon.
Rent for these apartments is less than $200, which includes utilities. Those using the transitional housing will receive an individual six-month lease as long as they are making efforts toward independent living.
“We’re trying to empower people to be able to solve problems and live on their own,” Dixon said. “The people who end up in these apartments will be given what I call a life boot camp exercise, in how to cook again, how to budget. The kinds of things that we take for granted.”
ealvero@the-journal.com
