With homelessness on the rise, only limited places to go that provide cover, and a place to stay cost free, where does everyone go? 

The answer, underneath Boulder Public Library. Even though it may be an ideal place to go for the homeless themselves, it is not fair to those who use the library solely for the skatepark that also happens to be underneath.

 This problem has gotten so bad that its almost impossible to skate on some of the obstacles as the ledges are constantly covered in people sleeping, and the rail is often used as a drying rack. Not to mention how dirty the skatepark itself gets, from vomit, trash, clothes, urine, and even needles. 

One day I was skating under the library when I hit something and fell. It turned out to be a bag of needles. Just in December of 2022 the library itself was shut down from Meth entering the vents. That goes to show how dangerous the library has become.

In fact, according to Boulder Reporting Lab, the homeless population has risen by 800 people in 2023 alone.

The problem is getting so bad even the homeless are rethinking staying under there. According to Wilburn Taylor, a homeless man himself, the library has become a “Murder death hole, full of discrimination.” 

On top of that the library would be convenient for students at Boulder High School as it’s just a short walk away from the school, but hardly anyone goes under there now as it’s not worth the risks. 

During a snowy or rainy day, the library used to be a great spot to go skating. Now it’s nearly impossible as during those days the homeless flood under the library.

It’s not just the homeless who are tired of being there either, the skaters themselves are sick of it as well. “What’s the point in skating under the library if we constantly have to watch where we skate?” Asks James Hart, a local skater.

Since there doesn’t seem to be a simple solution as this problem seems to worsen constantly, it might be time to leave the library behind, and head somewhere else.