Building a Permanent Home for Hope
Hope COS is working toward something our community has needed for a long time: a permanent emergency shelter that can grow from expanded winter sheltering into a year-round resource for Colorado Springs.
For years, Hope COS has operated emergency shelter in temporary locations, setting up and tearing down operations as the weather and available facilities require. That model has allowed us to respond when our community needs us most, but it also limits how many people we can serve, how long we can remain open and the services we can provide onsite.
Our Continuum Shelter Expansion Plan creates a path forward.
The Vision
Our goal is to acquire and develop an approximately 20,000-square-foot permanent shelter facility with the ability to grow in phases as funding and community partnerships develop.
Phase 1: Expanded Winter Shelter
A permanent location serving approximately 80 guests and operating for an expanded winter season of up to 182 days.
Phase 2: Year-Round Shelter
Expansion to year-round operations with capacity for approximately 120 guests.
Phase 3: Full Continuum Shelter
Capacity for approximately 150 guests with dedicated space for community partners to provide additional services, including respite and detox support. Space to expand capacity in extreme weather conditions to ensure there is a bed available for every person seeking shelter.
This phased approach allows us to build the facility we need for the future while expanding responsibly as sustainable operating resources are secured.
Why a Permanent Shelter?
During the 2025–2026 winter shelter season, Hope COS served 627 unique individuals and provided 2,704 bed nights.
More than 100 additional individuals were served but could not receive a cot because shelter capacity was unavailable.
A permanent facility would allow us to move beyond repeatedly adapting temporary buildings and create a space specifically designed for shelter operations, including:
- Safe sleeping areas
- Restrooms and showers
- A commercial kitchen and meal-service area
- Laundry facilities
- Secure storage for guest belongings
- Intake and support areas
- Appropriate space for pets
- Security and access systems
- Space for community partners and onsite services
Most importantly, it gives us room to grow.
More Than a Building
Hope COS has always operated differently.
Our shelter is supported by professional staff, peer support, trained volunteers and a community that consistently steps forward when people need help.
Our volunteer network now includes more than 400 people, with volunteers contributing hundreds of shelter shifts each winter. Local churches, businesses, organizations and community partners provide meals, supplies, professional expertise, volunteers and financial support.
A permanent shelter gives that community effort a permanent place to work.
It also creates opportunities to bring additional services directly to the people who need them, reducing barriers and helping shelter become an entry point to longer-term stability, recovery and self-sufficiency.
Where We Are Now
This project is already moving forward.
We have developed a phased operating and financial model, identified the size and type of facility needed, and begun conversations with potential funding and development partners.
We have also identified a specific approximately 20,000-square-foot property that fits our long-term model and completed a pre-application review with the City of Colorado Springs for the proposed shelter use.
A local architecture firm has offered discounted professional support as we move into feasibility, planning, design and permitting.
At the same time, we are reaching out across the community to identify organizations and individuals willing to help make the permanent shelter possible.
A Community-Built Shelter
No single organization or funder will build this alone, and we do not believe that is how it should be built.
We are inviting businesses, churches, foundations, contractors, service providers and individual community members to be part of the project.
Support can take many forms:
- Capital and financial contributions
- Construction materials and services
- Professional expertise
- Furniture, equipment and supplies
- Meals and food-service support
- Volunteer involvement
- Community partnerships
- Ongoing operating support
We are already receiving commitments and offers of support in a variety of capacities, and we will continue building that network as the project moves forward.
Help Us Build What Comes Next
The Continuum Shelter Expansion Plan is about more than increasing the number of shelter beds in Colorado Springs.
It is about creating a permanent place where people can come inside, be treated with dignity, build relationships and connect with opportunities to move forward.
We know how to operate the shelter.
We have the volunteers.
We have the community partnerships.
We have a plan for how to grow.
Now we are working together to build a permanent place to do it.
Interested in supporting the Hope COS Continuum Shelter Expansion Plan?
Complete our project support form to let us know how you or your organization would like to be involved.