Montrose, Colorado — Amid a growing homelessness crisis, a municipal dispute unfurled when local church leaders and city officials gathered for a court hearing in late February. The First United Methodist Church had allowed approximately 50 people without homes to establish a temporary encampment on its property following a city ordinance that prohibited camping in public areas. With the area’s harsh winter conditions posing significant risks, church leaders aimed to provide shelter and safety for those seeking refuge.
The city of 20,000 residents, situated 60 miles southeast of Grand Junction, responded with citations aimed at the church, labeling the encampment as both disorderly and hazardous. However, Municipal Judge Erin Maxwell ruled in favor of the church, allowing the encampment to continue despite the city’s objections. Her decision was hailed by church leaders as a moral victory in a challenging situation.
Just weeks later, however, the Montrose City Council unanimously placed Maxwell on administrative leave, later terminating her contract. The decision raised eyebrows among residents and advocates for the unhoused, who expressed concerns about the city’s motives and the apparent conflict of interest when a judge rules on cases involving their employers. “This sends a strong message that dissent will not be tolerated,” noted Jennifer Jones, a volunteer serving the local unhoused community.
City officials did not provide an explanation for Maxwell’s dismissal, citing personnel confidentiality. Similarly, they declined to comment on the ongoing dispute with the church given the legal implications involved. Meanwhile, church leaders chose to disband the encampment for the summer as they strategized for the upcoming winter, facing substantial fines from the city for prior citations.
The origin of this conflict can be traced back to Ordinance 2670, enacted by the Montrose City Council in November. This law made it illegal to camp on public property and imposed strict penalties, including possible jail time for repeat offenders. Advocates for the unhoused criticized the ordinance as one of the harshest in the state, particularly in light of the limited options available to those in need. The city has just one emergency shelter with a mere 30 beds open only during the winter months, leaving the rest of the unhoused population without adequate support.
In December, driven by dropping temperatures, individuals began seeking shelter at the First United Methodist Church, prompting leaders to accommodate them. Church staff established rules for camp residents, adding restroom facilities and discarding unnecessary barriers for those in need. The camp seemed to provide a crucial resource as residents from nearby towns also turned to the church for assistance.
City Manager Bill Bell has previously stated that the camping ban aimed to address concerns about public spaces and was not directed at any specific group. Yet, Bell’s comments have sparked criticism from local advocates who argue that the city is aggressively enforcing penalties without providing sufficient alternatives. The church received a total of 42 citations, each carrying potential fines of $2,650, as law enforcement monitored the encampment closely.
With the trial for the civil citations set for July 23, church leaders worry that the legal proceedings may not be balanced in their favor with Maxwell absent from the proceedings. Tensions between the church and city continue to escalate as the municipalities’ legal representatives have proposed a plea deal requiring the church to accept guilt, pay fines, and refrain from sheltering individuals during the winter months.
Reverend Kevin Young, the church’s pastor, expressed his disappointment with the city’s approach, emphasizing the church’s commitment to helping those in need despite the pressures they face. “Our faith is rooted in caring for our neighbors,” he said. “Choosing between being faithful and complying with the city is not a choice we are willing to make.”
As the situation develops and the church prepares for future confrontations, the Montrose community is left grappling with the broader implications of homelessness, public policy, and faith-based outreach. As winter approaches, the urgency for collaborative strategies to support the unhoused population grows more pressing in this small Colorado city.
This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate, and any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by writing an email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.