DENVER - Today, Governor Polis visited warming centers and shelters providing critical support to people in Colorado during the extreme cold weather this week. The Polis administration acted swiftly and thoroughly to prepare for the extreme weather, keep people safe, and save lives, and the state has provided around the clock support to local governments and municipalities. Governor Polis expressed his appreciation to the hardworking volunteers, staff, and National Guard service members supporting the warming centers and shelters, and delivered gifts to children at the sites to ensure they had a small gift to open this holiday season.

“The dangerous cold weather highlights there is no compassion in allowing people to live on our streets, we must do more to get people off the streets permanently and into shelter and treatment if needed. To prevent loss of life during this extreme weather we are taking an all hands on deck approach to make sure people are safe during this extreme cold snap, and we are grateful for the hard work of the emergency managers, first responders, guardsmen, and volunteers who helped support this statewide response and save lives. I was proud to visit warming centers and shelters today to thank the hardworking National Guardsmen and volunteers,” said Gov. Polis.

Warming centers have opened across the state, including in Fort Collins, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Denver. Earlier this week, Governor Polis activated 100 National Guard service members to support warming centers and help people who need assistance during the extreme cold front. State Troopers have been working to help people get into warming centers and out of the outdoors.

Earlier today, the Newcomers Fund was established at the Rose Community Foundation in partnership with the State and the City of Denver to activate philanthropic support for migrants coming to and through Colorado in pursuit of freedom as they flee oppression and persecution.