The city of Denver has a new ordinance that prohibits unauthorized camping in public and private spaces. It’s a necessary tool that will both ensure the vibrancy of our city and connect those in need with vital human services.

This ordinance is needed to help address the challenge of people sleeping outdoors in the elements. It is simply inhumane to allow anyone to be exposed to the dangers this poses, and it is equally unfair to the businesses and visitors that are impacted by unauthorized camping. That’s why we are enacting this new law and redoubling our efforts to connect those in need with comprehensive services.

Denver is a compassionate city that is dedicated to ensuring a high quality of life for those who live, work and play here. Removing the option to camp on our streets will help us to ensure the vibrancy of our urban core and also provide the impetus to better connect people to services such as shelter, food and clothing.

We will implement this law in a balanced fashion, with police and outreach workers utilizing what we are calling the “CAM” system:

Contact — Denver Police Department officers and Denver Human Services outreach workers will make the initial contact with any unauthorized campers.

Assess — Outreach workers will assess the individual and their circumstances.

Mobilize — Appropriate organizations or individuals will be contacted to assist the individual.

Through the collaborative work of Human Services, Denver’s Road Home and the Denver Police Department, the CAM system will help ensure we are connecting people with specific services. Our police department has developed a training bulletin, and training for police officers and outreach workers is underway.

Our No. 1 goal is to help move our most vulnerable residents to safer, healthier conditions. The city has also created a real-time shelter update system, contracted a bus to help people get to services, and extended contracts and waived provisions to keep our shelters open.

We have also been working with new and existing service providers to bolster comprehensive services. Tough economic times have put a strain on our resources, but I refuse to let that be an excuse to sit idle. We are actively recruiting new partners to come to the table with new and innovative solutions. More churches have opened their doors to support the homeless, and we’ve secured funding for two additional outreach workers.

We have only just scratched the surface of our focused work. But we cannot do this alone. This ordinance has served as a clarion call for our businesses, residents, families and neighborhoods to come together and enhance our support of Denver’s Road Home and our most vulnerable in the city.

Join us in making sure we are delivering a world-class city where everyone matters.

Michael B. Hancock is the 45th mayor of the city and county of Denver.