Denver migrant influx nearly ceases, but city spends $11 million to house another 300

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The Denver migrant influx nearly has ceased for now, with only five newcomers arriving Sunday and none Monday, according to the online migrant dashboard. But Denver still awarded $11 million in contracts Monday to house 300 migrants enrolled in its coveted Asylum Seekers Program through July 31, 2025.

The contracts went to ViVe Wellness for $7.8 million and Papagayo for $3.2 million. ViVe will serve 270 households, according to the contract, and Papagayo will serve 70. The organizations will collaborate with landlords to find rental units that accommodate the varying needs of the migrants. They will pay for security deposits as well as rental and utility assistance.

Papagayo will manage a furniture donation program to outfit the migrants’ new homes. “The goal of these services is to help newcomers with navigating unfamiliar housing and rental norms and a new economic system as well as language barriers or other barriers they may experience as they seek stability in the United States,” according to a memo from city staff to the City Council.

Council member Jamie Torres noted that the council last year turned down a contract with a multi-national company to manage Denver's migrant response. "This is what better looks like," she said of the local organizations.

Denver sheltered 3,000 migrants at peak

At one point, Denver housed as many as 3,000 migrants in several hotels and congregate shelters. Most have moved on to other destinations, but some are living in street encampments. Those in shelter in Denver as of April became enrolled in the asylum seekers program. The program was open to migrants who were not immediately eligible to work.

“Eligible individuals will enroll in an innovative pre-work authorization readiness program called WorkReady,” according to the city’s web page for migrants. “There they can collaborate with case managers to ensure they are moving on the right track and be connected with unpaid workforce training opportunities via partnerships with non-profits, local host businesses, educational institutions, and training organizations. The program also includes access to language instruction, career pathway explorations, industry-recognized credential training and work-based learning opportunities.”

Participants also get free legal services to file their asylum applications, and while waiting for their work permits, will receive rental and food assistance for six months.

Asylum program enrolls 800

The first group of 800 migrants is in the process of applying for asylum, according to a city news release. At least one adult per household attends at least 20 hours of weekly job training as part of WorkReady Denver, the news release stated. Classes began in June and will continue for several months.

While Denver, a self-proclaimed sanctuary city, appears to have rolled out the welcome mat for the migrants enthusiasm has waned. The city has spent more than $72 million on more than 43,000 migrants as of July 1, according to the news release. The city recently hired someone to go to El Paso and tell the migrants Denver was shutting down most of its shelters. On the web page for migrants, it reads in bold, capital letters, “Denver’s ability to provide free shelter and meals to you is temporary. It is important that you start making other plans immediately. Buses are available to get you to friends and family in the U.S. No drugs or weapons of any kind are allowed at any shelter.”

The lull in migrant arrivals may not last long. The Associated Press reported that hundreds of migrants left southern Mexico Sunday on foot headed to the U.S. border. Many migrants buy bus tickets to Denver from El Paso, according to city staff, and then get onward transportation to a final destination on the city's dime.