Denver’s Commission on Homelessness on Thursday rebuffed the mayor and asked the City Council to delay any action on a proposed homeless camping ban for at least a month so its impacts could be discussed.

The commission’s request could delay the proposed law’s introduction to the City Council next week and a final vote scheduled for May 7.

“If we are just going to focus on the governance piece, and it moves forward without people having this discussion, then people are going to question, ‘Why am I even on this board?’ ” said Debbie Ortega, a councilwoman and commission member. “It is to ensure we have a balanced discussion … between the business interests and addressing the human side of the issue.”

The increasing numbers of homeless and Occupy Denver protesters camped out downtown overnight has divided the community as well as city lawmakers.

Advocates for the homeless are lining up against the ordinance. Business members are pushing for its adoption.

Mayor Michael Hancock told the commission he supports the measure for several reasons, saying it would be a tool for police officers to use to get people help and would create a safer and more sanitary downtown.

“The moment we lose downtown as a place people want to go for entertainment, recreation or a place to live, we lose the heart of Denver,” Hancock said.

“Shortage of resources”

Homeless advocates say the ordinance is being introduced at a time when social services are being cut and the city’s shelter space is decreasing for the season.

Denver’s Road Home, the city’s agency dealing with homelessness, has had to cut $100,000 from its budget this quarter. And the city will lose more than 300 shelter beds after April 30.

“We are not looking through rose-colored glasses,” Hancock said. “We know there is a shortage of resources. I believe what this ordinance will do is help us focus even more sharply on helping develop those resources.”

But homeless advocates say the resources should come before the law.

They also say the ordinance further criminalizes homelessness, something Hancock rejected.

“I cannot find anything more absurd than that statement,” the mayor said. “I cannot tell you how insulting that is to hear that.”

Tom Leuhrs, president of the St. Francis Center, which provides shelter and services for the homeless, said the message of compassion is not getting through to those on the streets.

“A lot of people who are homeless and who can’t speak for themselves are scared,” said Leuhrs, who is against the proposal. “Their understanding is something is happening and someone doesn’t like them too much.”

Terrell Curtis, director of the Delores Project, which offers shelter for 60 women, said unless more funding can be found in the coming weeks, she will have to put clients out on the street.

“These women are already in fear. Now, they will have to worry about being arrested,” she said. “I take real offense that the mayor takes offense at calling this criminalization. Because this is a law.”

Assistant City Attorney David Broadwell said police officers will have a light touch and make few arrests in administering the ordinance, which he said is being written to be more compassionate than punitive.

Councilman Albus Brooks, sponsor of the legislation, said there should not be division over the issue. No one wants people to have to sleep outside, and the law is intended to get people help.

About striking a balance

“In my position as a city official, we are trying our best to provide opportunities and protect the public good. We are in this balance here.”

Brooks said he has a stack of e-mails of support from residents and has seen the comments from tourists who say they were disturbed about the number of homeless in the downtown area during their visits.

“It is also a public-safety issue, a public-health issue,” he said. “The businesses are not just driving this. Let’s stop this ‘us versus them.’ We all want the same deal.”

To that, Brooks was jeered by audience members.

Ultimately, the commission voted to ask the council to delay a decision until a subcommittee that includes homeless advocates and business and tourism officials meets to discuss the ordinance.

Councilwoman Judy Montero said she thinks it would be a mistake for the council to move the initiative ahead without letting the stakeholders have their say.

Mayor Hancock, through his spokeswoman Amber Miller, said he “deeply appreciates the input from the commission and respects that this is City Council’s decision.

“Regardless of the schedule of the proposed ordinance, he’s dedicated to continuing robust conversations about how we can work together to provide the highest level of services to the homeless,” Miller said.

Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com