An Update on Ean Tafoya and Headwater Protectors
In the September issue of the Denver VOICE, we published an article about the work of Ean Tafoya and Headwater Protectors, whose work does not stop; regardless of weather conditions or time of year. The following is an update on the group.
Story and Photos By Paula Bard
“I think we saved some lives.”
On a Sunday morning, I found Ean Tafoya, of Headwater Protectors, out picking up the trash with his volunteers at what was left of the Arkins Court, which the City swept this past November. Arkins Court had been one of the largest homeless encampments in Denver, with up to 300 inhabitants. It had provided stability since the beginning of the pandemic.
What are Headwater Protectors’ plans for the winter?
“People need access to all these services. We’ve already practiced for the winter. Honestly, we went out on a cold day. I think we saved some lives. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone shivering like the gentleman we put gloves and jacket on.”
Headwater Protectors bring water and jackets, gloves, and hot food. The volunteers always pick up trash.
“There’s a law that you can have an open flame as long as you’re cooking on it, so we brought a little camp stove out there at the Blair Caldwell Library, just days before[the City] was set to sweep it. We picked it because it was supposed to be the safe camping site, [but the SOS site was canceled because of neighborhood complaints ], and we were showing them just what it could look like: safe distancing, washing hands, trash service, food, water, humanity, compassion. We did hot sandwiches, hot dogs, calories to be able to sustain in the cold.”
Tafoya is adamant that “What people don’t realize, like, every single day people are becoming unhoused. Some people might be prepared for when the weather turns, some people might not be. It could happen to anyone.”
The organization has trained 150 volunteers to use their water systems with needle disposal and, most importantly, compassion. They will continue to head out on Sunday mornings.
Their next step?
Tafoya’s group is partnering with other groups to start taking their voices to the halls of power. “We are bringing up human rights; people are clearly not getting the services they need.”
Headwater Protectors plans to have an art exhibit at Redline of the trash they picked up, all manner of detritus from the disruption of people’s lives