At the onset of Denver’s midweek snowstorm, the city is opening two emergency overnight shelters for homeless people needing somewhere to stay.

Denver and the metro Denver area are under a winter storm watch starting 6 p.m., Wednesday, with the potential for 6-12 inches of snow to accumulate by Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Denver weather: Winter storm watch, 6-12″ of snow possible

Once the clock hits 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) plans to open two emergency homeless shelters:

• The downtown McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave. The overnight shelter is located in Civic Center Park right across from the City and County of Denver building.
• The “Stone Creek” shelter, the former Best Western hotel at 4595 Quebec St. in northeast Denver, currently serves homeless people moved indoors under Mayor Mike Johnston’s housing initiative. For emergency shelter, the hotel uses its ballroom for overnight stay.

Both emergency shelter sites close at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Those seeking shelter are asked to walk up to the locations, HOST said in a statement.

People with pets are encouraged to go to the Stone Creek shelter.

Certain people in need of shelter can also be referred to the city’s “front door” shelter access points (denvergov.org/findshelter), which are also expanding their capacity for the cold weather. Front door shelters include:

• Individual men – Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St.
• Individual women – Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St.
• Youth ages 15-20 – Urban Peak, 2100 Stout St.
• Families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366.