Neighbors are fighting a plan to house registered sex offenders along with others transitioning from a mental health hospital to two homes in a Northglenn neighborhood.
The state’s Mental Health Transitional Living Homes would be in two locations – 11255 and 11275 Grant Drive – and are part of an effort to put those with severe mental health conditions in 12 highly supervised homes throughout cities across the Denver Metro Area this year.
The two homes were previously part of a senior care facility overseen by the state. Since the state was in charge, the city of Northglenn has no authority to change their use, according to a city news release.
The Northglenn homes plan to be open in mid-April. The Northglenn houses will be operated as Level 1 homes with about eight beds each, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services.
The property is owned by a trust and would be operated by Cypress Cares on behalf of the state, the city news release states.
A community meeting about the change in use of the two homes is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 3, at the Northglenn Recreation Center Community Rooms, 1 E Memorial Way.
The state says occupants of the two houses are managing severe mental illness, substance abuse disorders and more. That will include registered sex offenders, according to the city.
The city news release states that residents of the two homes are transitioning from a mental health hospital to living independently. Residents will be supervised by assigned case workers and cannot be considered a threat to themselves or others to be eligible.
‘Imminent threat to peace’
Neighbors of the two homes are saying they still don’t feel safe being next to convicted sex offenders.
“Our neighborhood has always been a place where our children can play freely and we as parents can have peace of mind,” said Martina Martinez, who organized a Change.Org petition to block the reuse of the two houses. “However, recent proposals to allow housing for sexual offenders at 11255 and 11275 Grant Drive post an imminent threat to this peace.”
The petition is appealing to the Northglenn Zoning Board and has been signed by 620 people. Martinez hopes to get 1,000 people to sign. The petition is on the Change.org website, under “Prevent Housing of Sexual Offenders on Grant Drive”.
The petition cites Bureau of Justice statistics that claim that sexual offenders are known to have high recidivism rates. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 5.6% of released sex offenders were arrested for another sex crime within three years of release from prison in 2016.
“This statistic alone is alarming enough to warrant serious consideration about where these individuals are housed post-release,” Martinez wrote in her petition.
She notes that everyone deserves a second chance in life.
“However, it should not come at the expense or safety risk for others – especially when it involves innocent children who are yet unable to protect themselves fully,” she said.
Northglenn setbacks
The transition homes do meet Northglenn’s ordinance about proximity to registered sex offenders – 750 feet from schools and 500 feet from any park, playground, licensed daycare, recreation center or public swimming pool, the city said in its news release. The homes are near Stukey Elementary School, however.
“To provide transparency and dispel concerns the city felt it was important to inform the surrounding area of this new use, especially since some of the residents will be registered sex offenders and the facility is close to schools and playground where children congregate,” the city’s news release states.
The homes, which are run by Colorado’s Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, are part of a new program that offers a less restrictive setting for individuals with severe mental health conditions, according to the CDHS.
Three state-run homes with 24 beds will be opening in Westminster and Pueblo this year, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services website. Other contracted homes are planned in Lakewood, Littleton, Denver and Colorado Springs.
The Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health could not be reached for comment.
The Department of Human Services website states: “Clients may stay as long as necessary for stabilization with an ultimate goal of reintegrating clients successfully in the community. The focus is to provide continued support with social and life skills development, as well as assistance with other daily life activities based on the client’s individual needs.”