New Five-Story Family Shelter Opens on Colfax

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New Five-Story Family Shelter Opens on Colfax

Theodora Family Hotel increases capacity and delivers trauma-informed care and comprehensive services to families and veterans experiencing homelessness

DENVER – Thursday, May 15, 2025 – City of Denver officials and Volunteers of America (VOA) Colorado today celebrated the official opening of the Theodora Family Hotel, a newly constructed five-story non-congregate shelter designed to provide stability, safety, and support for families and veterans experiencing homelessness.

Replacing the demolished VOA Family Motel at 4855 W. Colfax Ave., the Theodora Family Hotel represents a major investment in family-focused sheltering solutions. With 60 individual family suites and space for up to 240 people per night, the new shelter expands previous capacity and offers wraparound services.

“In good times and in bad, there is nothing more important than family,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “The Theodora keeps parents and children together while providing them the dignity they deserve and the support they need to get back on their feet.”

The $28 million reconstruction project was funded in part by a $17.7 million investment from the City of Denver, including $13.2 million from RISE Denver General Obligation Bonds and $4.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funding. Additional support came through philanthropic and private-sector partnerships, exemplifying the collaborative model that made the project possible.

Featuring a trauma-informed design, the facility includes individual family suites with a separate living area, kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeping area with freestanding beds and built-in bunk beds. Community gathering space and other amenities on the ground level allow for expanded services and classes. Families will be able to access assistance with basic needs, crisis intervention, case management, and group and individual education.

“The Theodora Family Hotel is more than a place to stay—it’s a place where hope begins, it’s a second chance,” said Dave Schunk, president and CEO of VOA Colorado. “This facility allows us to serve families and veterans not just with shelter, but with the wraparound support and dignity they deserve. This hotel represents our mission in action—meeting people where they are and walking alongside them toward stability and lasting change.”

During the hotel’s construction, VOA Colorado ensured uninterrupted shelter services by temporarily relocating families to nearby motels on East Colfax, leased from the FAX Partnership. Now, with the Theodora officially open, VOA Colorado is poised to significantly increase the number of families served and the quality of care provided.

The redevelopment site includes two parcels on the east and west sides of Xavier St. The hotel was constructed on the east parcel, while VOA Colorado retains the west parcel for future community development opportunities, such as affordable housing or additional shelter services.

VOA Colorado: Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, VOA Colorado serves 150,000+ people in need each year. Volunteers of America Colorado’s services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community engagement and support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, and heart of those we serve by integrating compassion into our highly effective programs and services that build and strengthen communities.

The Department of Housing Stability is committed to building a healthy, housed, and connected Denver. The department invests resources, creates policy, and partners to provide housing stability, resolve episodes of homelessness, and create housing opportunities. Visit denvergov.org/housing for more information.