In 2022, Senate Bill 22-211 was passed to transform a vacant Youth Services Center into the Ridge View Supportive Residential Community (RVSRC), aiming to provide housing and services for people experiencing homelessness in Colorado. Subsequently, the Department initiated a plan to assess the campus's capabilities and develop strategies for implementing this vision to ensure a safe, stable, and affordable living environment for all residents – aligning with the goal of minimizing homelessness and integrating individuals back into society through transitional housing, on-site treatment, and community engagement.
The State of Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), through its Division of Housing (DOH) Office of Homeless Initiatives (OHI), is excited to announce that the facility master planning process for repurposing the Ridge View campus has completed its initial analysis.
Purpose and Components of Master Plan
The Master Plan serves as a guiding framework for the upcoming renovations of the campus rather than a rigid set of requirements, recognizing the community’s dynamic and evolving nature.
This summary will outline key components of the Master Plan, including the Existing Facility Conditions Assessment, Program Overview & Space Needs, and Implementation & Costs.
Existing Facility Conditions Assessment
A facility conditions assessment evaluated the physical conditions of the 16 buildings and immediate site surroundings documenting existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and architectural conditions, along with code and life safety issues, to determine challenges and opportunities for their reuse in the proposed program. The Facility Assessments & Recommendation Report describes and evaluates the existing conditions, and provides subsequent recommendations for repairs and upgrades from the following focus areas:
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
- Architecture
- Landscaping
The general contractor and designer will use this information to make the design and conduct further evaluation.
Program Overview & Space Needs
The services that will be provided at the campus will be open to any Colorado resident 18 or older who is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness who would like to work on a self-identified substance use disorder in a transitional housing recovery community.
This community will offer treatment and medical care accessible to the general population, with a priority on adults over 18 years old in Colorado experiencing homelessness and diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), seeking a supportive environment for recovery before securing permanent housing or employment. Some individuals receiving services may reside in the on-site Transitional Housing Program, typically requiring residency in Colorado, facing or at risk of homelessness, voluntarily committed to recovery, diagnosed with SUD, willing to live independently in dorm-like settings, and medically stable. Prioritization for the Transitional Housing Program considers length of homelessness, need, and public system utilization, with referrals facilitated through a statewide provider network and transportation arrangements.
Given the proposed program for the supportive residential community (SRC), only 144,092 SF of space would be needed to service the proposed 225 program participants and treatment beds. The current campus exceeds requirements to support the proposed program and offers flexibility for accommodating additional programs/services and future growth within the facilities.
Implementation & Costs
Preferred Direction Plan
The proposed plan aims to establish a recovery-oriented community for adults lacking stable housing, incorporating three key components/services on the campus. These include transitional housing, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and a comprehensive behavioral health continuum of care with a focus on recovery and substance use disorder services.
Initially, the campus would provide 225 beds, including 27 for withdrawal management, determined based on standards, best practices, case studies, and steering committee feedback. Each transitional housing unit would accommodate 33 beds. Renovation plans include housing units 1-7, the Administration Building, Town Center, Maintenance Building, and West Academic Building.
Cost Estimates and Approach for Campus Renovation
The estimated costs for repurposing the campus for the first stage of the Department’s preferred direction is $29.3M. Moreover, the plan incorporates estimates for potential replacements of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and architectural elements, totaling $39.6M if full replacements are deemed necessary. MEP and architectural functionality assessments will be conducted in the coming months. If additional funds are secured, the Division of Housing (DOH) will consider integrating further recommendations from the Master Plan.
Immediate Funds Available for Campus Renovation
In accordance with Colorado Senate Bill 22-211, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) will utilize an initial $45M from the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to begin renovations. The Department is also actively pursuing additional funding sources to cover any additional repurposing expenses, as well as funds extending beyond 2026 for operational costs.
Next Steps
The information provided from this Master Plan will assist in upcoming requests for applications, proposals, and quotes/qualifications for the design, build, and management of the property, as well as the implementation of the transitional housing program and on-site treatment and clinic.
Media Inquiries
If you have a media inquiry, please contact shannon.gray@state.co.us.