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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

Fort Lyon celebrates 10 years of recovery-based housing

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Thursday, October 12, 2023   

It's been ten years since Fort Lyon, a 19th century military post in rural Bent county, opened its doors to people experiencing homelessness with substance use disorders.

Randy Stotts hit bottom living on the streets in Denver, and after years of avoiding offers of assistance, agreed to participate in the recovery-oriented transitional housing program.

He said the program offers a wide range of tools to get to the root causes of addiction, and make it out safe and sound on the other side.

"And they give you all these different groups that you can go to," said Stotts. "Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Breathing Under Water, Sound Board, Red Road to Wellbriety, a chapel. They give you all these options to choose from."

The program - which combines housing with peer support, and educational, vocational, and employment services - has served over 2,200 people in its first decade.

It costs nearly $46,000 per person per year to cover costs associated with chronic homelessness, according to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which launched the program.

The cost per person at Fort Lyon is just under $19,000.

An onsite health center provides physical and mental healthcare, and residents help out with food services, facilities and grounds maintenance, and housekeeping.

Stotts said the Fort Lyon community supported him throughout his recovery, and then a case manager helped him find longterm housing.

"After some recovery time - they want to make sure that you have some recovery - because if you don't have recovery, even getting new housing, more than likely you're going to lose the housing again," said Stotts. "If you haven't changed anything, then nothing's changed."

Now a Fort Lyon reintegration specialist, Stotts urged anyone ready to take those first steps toward recovery - and to start feeling better about themselves - to connect with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

"There's help available to people if they're just open to it, if they're willing to try it and if they're honest about it," said Stotts. "You know if a man like me can get off the streets, get sober and have the life I have today, I truly believe in my heart that anybody can."




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