The cross-departmental Safe and Managed Public Spaces (SAMPS) team— works collaboratively towards its mission to ensure public spaces are safe and welcoming for all. The SAMPS team includes Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Open Space and Mountain Parks, Community Vitality, Housing and Human Services, Boulder Police Department (BPD), Innovation and Technology, Communications and Engagement, City Attorney’s and City Manager’s Office.
The 2024 SAMPS Action Plan builds upon established goals while integrating lessons learned from ongoing implementation. This year, the team undertook several impactful initiatives in alignment with Boulder’s Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience Framework.
2024 Action Plan Goals
Goal 1: No Camping in Public Spaces
Goal 2: Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Are Connected to Services
Goal 3: Access to Public Space and Infrastructure is Not Impeded
Goal 4: Reduction in Crime and Disorder in Designated Areas of Emphasis
Goal 5: Visitors Have Access to Knowledgeable Resources on City Services
Goal 6: Maintenance Crews Can Safely Perform Their Work in Public Spaces
Goal 7: Users of Public Spaces Report Feeling Safe and Welcome
Insights from Goals 1, 3, 4 & 6
Insight 1: SAMPS Operational Capacity Expanded Significantly
The team conducted over 1,100 campsite cleanups and removed over 127.5 tons of debris in 2024. New vehicle acquisition and continued interagency collaboration enhanced cleanup responsiveness. Strategic camera deployments and the Field Process 2.0 initiative, which included decoupling public and private property Inquire Boulder submissions, improved data accuracy and cleanup coordination.
Insight 2: Urban Infrastructure and Access Remain Pressured
Reports of encampments presenting access issues increased, especially near underpasses. SAMPS deployed directed patrols, improved lighting, and developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for weather-related dangers. Despite persistent SAMPS efforts, voluntary compliance decreased beginning summer of 2024 and camping was particularly persistent in areas like Boulder Creek and Central Park through the winter. The SAMPS team responded by adapting operations and enhancing coordination and communication, which resulted in disrupting the entrenched camping in early 2025.
Insight 3: Crime and Disorder Mitigation Progressed with Support from BPD
Dedicated BPD officers increased bike patrols and supported all SAMPS clean-up operations. Stratified policing plans were implemented in priority areas, including Central Park and the downtown corridor. There was a moderate decrease in overall calls for service in encampment areas.
Insight 4: Worker Safety and Capacity Improved Through Training and Protocols
SAMPS staff completed Mental Health First Aid and de-escalation training. Incident and hazard reporting was streamlined through existing tools. New onboarding and tiered training protocols were developed for cleanup crews.
Insights from Goal 2
Insight 5: Outreach and Connections to Services Continued to Evolve
The BTHERE team made over 1,900 contacts, providing in-field case management, CE (Coordinated Entry) screening, and transportation support. Despite a temporary program pause in late 2024, key services like ID/document recovery and benefit enrollment continued. BTHERE launched coordinated efforts at the new Day Services Center.
Insights from Goals 5 & 8
Insight 6: Rangers and Ambassadors Strengthened the Visitor Experience
Downtown Ambassadors maintained stable engagement levels, supported by a living wage increase. Urban Rangers conducted over 6,300 patrols, primarily educational and engagement-focused. OSMP Rangers and BPD officers filled key enforcement gaps, especially during staffing shortfalls.
Insight 7: SAMPS Enhanced Transparency and Engagement with the Public
Improvements to the public-facing dashboard increased visibility into SAMPS outcomes. Inquire Boulder saw upgrades, including a new portal for encampment-related complaints on private property. SAMPS continued launched onboarding tours with elected officials and executive leadership to build understanding of field complexities.
Insights from Goal 7
Insight 8: Site Activation and Community Confidence Are Key to Perception of Safety
SAMPS supported city events through coordination and pre-activation cleanups. Data tools, including updated inspection rubrics, helped quantify safety and welcoming factors. Perception-based metrics are under continued refinement for 2025 reporting.
Ongoing Challenges
Hotspot areas like Central Park remain resistant to long-term stabilization, consuming disproportionate resources. Consistent, daily supply distribution in the downtown corridor by various entities is a major contributor to the persistent rough camping in the Civic Area. Substance use continues to be a significant barrier to housing and service engagement, exacerbating risk and disorder in encampments.
Next Steps
The 2025 Action Plan addresses the activities associated with meeting SAMPS goals. Some of the planned activities include:
- Finalizing SOPs for expanded operational availability and rapid response protocols.
- Implementing the relocation of property return to All Roads’ Day Services Center.
- Launching a Field Worker Safety Survey to support new training protocol rollouts in early 2025.
- Continuation of dashboard development and cross-team data sharing to improve measurement and transparency.