DENVER -- Denver residents give $4.6 million to panhandlers a year, according to a study released Wednesday.

Although the amount seems generous, the business community and the city of Denver are urging residents to stop handing out money to people in the streets.

"I've always known people in our community are compassionate, but $4.6 million is a lot of money. And, more than 50 percent of those who give do so because they believe it is the right thing to do or it will help panhandlers get back on their feet. Sadly, we know that in most cases, the money is used in ways that perpetuate the problem," said Mary Buckley, with Denver's Department of Economic Development, a group that co-sponsored the survey.

"We are asking this community to redirect temporary handouts on the streets to organizations that are making a real difference, and to invest in long-term solutions -- such as housing, mental health and other services -- that help people access the resources they need to live productive lives," Buckley said.

The Downtown Denver Partnership and the City and County of Denver’s Office of Economic Development conducted the survey by asking residents and businesses how much they gave, how often and where they come in contact with panhandlers.

It is the first time the amount of money given to Denver panhandlers has been quantified.

"This survey reveals the tremendous magnitude of the panhandling problem in Denver," said John Desmond, of the Downtown Denver Partnership. "We've had a sense that it was a large and growing problem but no one ever measured it in real terms. We were stunned at the results, especially because this is such an ineffective way of trying to help these individuals."

The study shows that panhandling is not just a downtown problem but a citywide problem, because those who responded to the survey say they noticed panhandlers throughout the city and only 13 percent identified downtown as the place they most often notice panhandlers.

Authorities say that if drivers no longer gave to people standing or sitting on the streets corners, panhandling would die down and the city would thrive economically because more business and tourists would be attracted to Denver.

Those who give to panhandlers are instead encouraged to call 211 or visit the Web site for Mile High United Way to donate to programs that will have a lasting impact on the lives of the homeless.

"We applaud the city's efforts to assertively address panhandling and homelessness through the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and other programs. It is our hope that this new research will demonstrate to Denver residents the need to support the city's work of providing new and expanded services that are so desperately needed to care for the disadvantaged in our community. We urge everyone not to give spare change, but give in ways that make a positive change," said Desmond.

The findings were drawn from 600 telephone interviews conducted June 29 through June 30 with adult residents throughout the city. The survey has a 4 percent margin of error.

Additional Resources:

Downtown Denver Partnership
Denver Commission To End Homelessness
Office of Economic Development