Homelessness in Cortez is not new. MB McAfee recalls that while growing up, it wasn’t unusual for several people to freeze to death in Montezuma Park every winter. However, it was a death in 2005 that galvanized Lynn Evans, a Methodist minister, and members of his congregation to take action. The new jail had recently been built, leaving the old facility vacant. Lynn negotiated to use the building as a temporary shelter. It wasn’t fancy, but it provided a safe place for people to escape the cold.
When MB learned about the shelter, she thought she might be able to help, as she’d had experience with a homeless shelter in Fort Collins. In January 2006, she organized other concerned citizens to ensure the shelter would stay open through April – and beyond. “No one should freeze to death in our city parks” became their mantra.
Initially, the shelter relied wholly on volunteers and donations. Grace’s and Hope’s Kitchen committed to providing hot soup and breakfast items, and volunteers signed up for dinnertime or overnight shifts to oversee the facility. The county continued to provide the old jail.
From the beginning, The Bridge has been guided by three principles: every individual would be treated equally, regardless of background; the shelter would provide a warm, safe space with something to eat; and once opened for the season, it would remain open until the end of the season, providing a reliable refuge during the winter.
Laurie Knutson was hired as executive director in August 2013. She brought a vision: create a permanent home for the shelter. Supported by a strong board, The Bridge Emergency Shelter moved into its current building in October 2019, built on land donated by Montezuma County.
The Bridge is unique. It is a low-barrier “wet” shelter, meaning those who are intoxicated can enter, provided they are not violent and follow rules established for everyone’s safety. It also houses Day Labor services providing income opportunities for guests, and the second floor is dedicated to transitional housing for those who work and can pay modest rent.
Laurie believed that while the shelter was vital for people needing a warm place in the winter, it should also be more than a Band-Aid. Transitional housing became an important part of the vision, helping guests move out of homelessness while generating revenue for the shelter.
The Bridge is a true success story. Over the past 20 years, it has served thousands of guests. During that time, many regular shelter guests struggling with addiction began the process of recovery. Today they are sober, employed and living in Bridge transitional apartments. These successes have been facilitated by a staff that believes every person has value and is capable of change. Today, The Bridge is led by Executive Director Theresa Wilson, who continues the organization’s mission of supporting guests with dignity and compassion.
While some believe The Bridge should do more, it is important to remember it was never intended to be open year-round. It has neither the staff nor the resources to do so. Two years ago, staff members experimented with opening several days each week during the off season to allow access to showers and laundry facilities. There was little participation.
The Bridge does not provide medical services because of cost and regulatory constraints, but it partners with Axis Health System and maintains strong relationships with other community entities that support guests in various ways.
The Bridge continues to fulfill its mission of “working to empower and uplift those in need.” By supporting the shelter, we help ensure that people don’t freeze to death in our city parks, demonstrate what it means to be a caring community and experience the joy of helping others. Please consider volunteering or donating at thebridgeshelter.com.
Karen Sheek of Cortez chairs the Montezuma County League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, and is a former Cortez mayor and city councilor. Contact lwvmzc@gmail.com or find the League on Facebook at https://tinyurl.com/bdcjr8pn.
