Loveland Mayor Opens City Hall for Homeless Amid Controversy

On the evening of March 17, 2024, Loveland Mayor Jacki Marsh made the controversial decision to open city hall as an emergency shelter for up to 15 homeless residents during a rainstorm. This action quickly drew criticism from fellow council members, raising questions about adherence to city procedures.

According to Ward 3 representative Steve Olson, who received information about the group’s presence, he recorded a video around 22:00 showing several individuals lying on the floor or seated in chairs, some covered with blankets. The video, shared on social media by City Council candidate Zeke Cortez, captured Olson confronting Marsh about her decision.

Marsh explained her choice stemmed from her experience the previous night. She had spent time with individuals outside city hall as temperatures dipped into the low 40s Fahrenheit. With rain forecasted for Sunday night, she expressed concern for those lacking adequate shelter, stating, “I do believe there’s a high chance that somebody would have gotten hypothermia.” Marsh added that leaving those in need outside would have weighed heavily on her conscience.

The decision prompted immediate backlash. Olson described the move as “political” and “not OK,” emphasizing that it shocked other council members as well. He stressed that while the mayor could invite individuals into her own home, she lacked the authority to do the same in city buildings after hours, potentially constituting trespassing.

Another council member, Andrea Samson, expressed her astonishment, stating, “I was floored when I saw Steve’s video. To me, it’s a misuse of city resources.” Concerns regarding potential violations of city policies were echoed by City Attorney Vince Junglas, who noted that day-to-day control of city facilities lies with the city manager, not the mayor or the council.

The Loveland Police Department confirmed on Monday that they were awaiting guidance from city officials regarding whether the incident warranted a criminal investigation.

Marsh stated that she had contacted Junglas and City Manager Jim Thompson around 15:20 on Sunday, seeking permission to open the municipal building for shelter. While she noted that similar actions had been taken in the past, such as during the 2024 9/11 commemoration, Thompson described the municipal building as an “inappropriate” setting for overnight shelter. He did, however, suggest the Loveland Resource Center as an alternative shelter option.

Notably, Marsh maintained that she had communicated her intentions clearly and did not receive any explicit disapproval. She indicated that about 50 individuals were camped outside city hall that night, with most opting to remain in tents. Inside the building, volunteers assisted in monitoring the situation, ensuring that everyone stayed in designated areas. By 04:00, the group had left, and Marsh stated the building was cleaned before city employees arrived, asserting, “You could not tell that anyone had been in there.”

One of the individuals who stayed inside, Julie Desroches, described the atmosphere as “peaceful and quiet,” emphasizing the group’s efforts to remain calm. She commended the mayor’s actions, calling her “an angel helping the community” by providing shelter from the rain.

Despite facing opposition, Marsh reaffirmed her commitment to the decision, declaring, “If they cite me for trespass, I’ll hire an attorney and fight it.” She emphasized the humanitarian aspect of her actions, stating, “These are human beings. For humanitarian reasons, I did the right thing.”