The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is an organization of elected officials who deal with issues in the Denver metro region. Some of the issues are transportation, growth and development.

Each year the DRCOG honors people and groups whom they believe show great collaboration, innovation and leadership in problem solving within communities in the region. The Metro Vision Award specifically honors organizations who bring together community advocates, businesses, elected officials and residents to accomplish goals for the betterment of their community.

One of the Metro Vision Award winners was the Nederland Interagency Council for Homeless Encampments or NICHE. What an honor for this local grassroots organization!

Nederland Town Administrator Karen Gerrity nominated NICHE for this award. Gerrity says that she nominated NICHE for the award because of their collaborative approach to addressing the impacts of homeless encampments in the Peak to Peak area. “Their approach was recognized by the legislature as a model program that can be used as a template for other communities dealing with the challenge,” says Gerrity.

NICHE works to build trust between community members, local law enforcement and groups that manage public lands. Through a grant NICHE hires a homeless advocate. This is someone who makes connections with people camping in the area and lets them know about resources that can help them in an urban area. The homeless advocate also helps educate campers on how to camp in a safe way for themselves and for the local communities.

Huge accolades for the success of NICHE and winning this award go to former NICHE homeless advocate Claudia Schauffler, current NICHE homeless advocate Brigitte Johnson, Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance, Nederland Community Presbyterian Church and their former pastor Hansen Wendlandt and all the other people involved who have made a difference and NICHE a success.

The Denver area and the Colorado legislature have noticed that Nederland has proven great skills in collaboration and problem solving. Let’s keep inspiring each other to keep up work that has been started.

If you would like more information about NICHE go to p2phhe.org/ niche.