Complaints from local hotels about increased crime along the Quebec corridor unearthed large homeless encampments in labyrinthine spaces underneath the 40th St. and Smith Road bridges, according to District 5 Lt. Ian Culverhouse. Denver police, sheriffs and the Public Works department cleared out trash, furniture, human waste, and over 100 propane tanks from the area. Numerous weapons and hypodermic needles were also found.
Homeless people had gained access through small portals that were behind unlocked gated areas and had squeezed in items as large as a queen-sized mattress. The access gates have since been locked. CDOT will be clearing out a similar encampment found inside the I-70 overpass.
