Denver man creates cold weather kits for unhoused community

DENVER — Days after a massive snowstorm brought more than a foot of snow to the Denver metro area, one man is hoping to help the unhoused community be better prepared for the next round of winter weather. 

Spencer Barnes watched from his Denver home as snow fell throughout the city for 72 hours straight. He thought about those who didn’t have a safe place to ride out the storm. 

“I’ve worn a lot of hats in life,” Barnes said. “When I first moved to Colorado, I was a whitewater raft guy and I lived in a tent for the summer, so I understand what it’s like to go without some of the creature comforts that we take for granted.”

In 2020, Barnes decided to help those who have to go without. He began to collect items to create cold weather kits for people experiencing homelessness.

“This is definitely a passion project,” he said. “I think it makes a big impact even if it seems like something small like a little care pack.” 

Barnes created 50 cold weather kits in 2020. This year, he put the call out for people to buy items from an Amazon wish list, and within a matter of days, it was all purchased. 

“Right now there’s a lot of negativity in the world and I think spreading a little bit of positivity is more important now than ever,” he said. “I see this stuff and I know that it means, it could mean a lot to somebody else. Small things like a beanie or gloves, that’s pretty trivial to someone like myself, but being able to give them to someone that doesn’t have a pair [of gloves] and it’s 32 degrees out, that means something to me.” 

Barnes has enough to make 250 cold weather kits. He believes the community can use so much more. 

“There are people that are hurting. There is people that are struggling,” he said. “The more money we can raise, the more packs we can make and the more lives we can impact.” 

The kits include blankets, hats, gloves and food. Barnes put together an Amazon gift list for those looking to make kits of their own.