The United Way of Weld County seasonal cold weather shelter in Evans is still facing impacts from the pandemic, but staff feels more prepared than ever as the numbers of guests slowly rise while the months get colder.

The overnight cold weather shelter, located at 2930 11th Ave. in Evans, opened its doors on Nov. 15 with a delayed start due to staffing shortages. But despite the holdback, the season is fully-staffed and going well even with the recent COVID-19 surge, according to Shawn Walcott, director of household stability for United Way of Weld County.

Expectedly, many of the difficulties faced from last year's pandemic have carried over into this season, but this time around, the staff is better equipped with resources and partnerships to deal with the impacts of COVID-19.

"We learned a lot from last year in terms of dealing with COVID and trying to shelter people," Walcott said. "So, it's kind of more smoothly in that regard. We've been able to stay ahead of it, generally, even with the new variants that are more contagious and the low vaccine rates in Weld County."

Through partnerships and better coordination with the city of Greeley, the city of Evans and the Weld County Health Department — along with Catholic Charities and the North Colorado Health Alliance — regular testing for the virus takes place among guests and staff members.

In addition, the shelter hosts regular vaccine clinics to help manage COVID-19, which is a change from this time a year ago, when a vaccine wasn't available yet. In addition, shelter employees continuously keep close contact and make regular phone calls with the health department, according to Walcott.

A remaining struggle — one that developed last year and lingered into this one — involves managing a group of people when there is a positive COVID-19 case in the shelter. Like last year, through the partnership with the health department, shelter employees are able to place the unhoused in hotels if they are exposed or test positive for the coronavirus.

GREELEY, CO - MARCH 24:Tape marks 6 foot spacing inside the Island Grove Exhibition Hall, which now houses the temporary cold weather shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Greeley Tuesday, March 24, 2020. The new space can accommodate up to 100 individuals while maintaining the 6 foot distancing required as a public health measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility also includes a quarantine area for those with symptoms that donÕt require hospitalization. (Alex McIntyre/amcintyre@greeleytribune.com)

Walcott said there was an expectation before this season that the number of guests would increase at the cold weather shelter, but numbers are similar to last year with roughly the same number of people coming in every night.

On average, so far, there are about 45 people per night at the shelter with a total bed capacity of 62. However, Walcott expects numbers to reach closer to capacity as the months get colder and winter weather gets harsher.

"So, it's usually pretty steady for the first couple of months and then late December, January and February, that's when we start to see the capacity hit," Walcott said. "I think just because it gets colder and colder for longer, so people are coming in. We also do get more snow usually later in the winter."

Just within the last weekend, as the weather has started shifting to colder temperatures, there was an uptick in people coming in, according to Walcott.

The staff at the cold weather shelter works to avoid turning people away due to capacity limitations, but limited funding for overflow restricts their abilities. Similar to when a positive coronavirus case occurs within the shelter, hotel rooms are also made available if there is a surfeit of those unhoused.

However, the finances to place people in hotels are dwindling from the influx of COVID-19 funding the shelter obtained last season.

But the cold weather shelter has yet to turn anyone away this season, according to Walcott. Even with the limited funds, the staff hopes to continue putting people up in hotels. If numbers start to jump past 70 to 80 guests a night, he said they might have start turning people away.

Prior to the start of the season, staff had feared there would be a significant quantity of people losing housing this year, but with the average numbers so far, he hopes that means emergency rental assistance is still available to keep people housed.

Even with emergency rental assistance, Walcott explained there aren't enough housing resources in northern Colorado to get those who need shelter into housing quickly. He said his staff is working every day to provide housing to residents in the county who need it.

In the meantime, the main priority is keeping people who live outdoors safe through the cold weather shelter.

"It's definitely important that we're able to do that each season," he said about the cold weather shelter. "So, provide a nice safe place for them to stay overnight and also help really build community among our staff and the guests. It reinforces that people … deserve dignity and respect. And providing a simple mat is the least we could do."

EVANS, CO - FEBRUARY 20:Sleeping mats sit in a pile at the cold weather shelter in the Housing Navigation Center located at 2930 11th Ave. in Evans Feb. 20, 2021. The cold weather shelter is a service of the center. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

Walcott said when it comes to staff, guests are in good hands because of the United Way of Weld County's contract with Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities runs the shelter and is in charge of direct hiring and supervision.

After announcing a staffing shortage in early November, the organization has been successful in hiring people, finding backups and not having many employees leave since the opening of the shelter.

Walcott disclosed that several of the new employees are young, entry-level individuals with a lack of experience under their belt. But as new staff members, they are quickly learning the ropes and doing fantastic work, even in a difficult setting.

"It's not an easy job at all," Walcott said. It's a night job, and you know, having to manage 40 to 50 people, having to enforce the COVID rules and social distancing rules, provide food, keep things clean and handle some difficult situations sometimes. So, everyone has just risen to the occasion."

Along with employees, Walcott praises the community partners –– Catholic Charities, the city of Greeley, the city of Evans, Sunrise Community Health and North Colorado Health Alliance –– for helping keep the shelter open during the winter months.

Community donors and funders are also credited for helping keep the shelter running through crucial funding. Without the funding and donations, the shelter would have to close early.

To make a donation to the cold weather shelter, go to www.unitedwayweld.org. People can donate to any of United Way's programs so those donating specifically to the shelter must include that in the designation.

United Way of Weld County also accepts in-kind donations, including underwear, socks, hygiene products and other essential items.

"We're always thankful for all those that are willing to help keep the shelter open," Walcott said.

The cold weather shelter will remain open until April 15.