CENTENNIAL, Colo. — For Shawn Smith and Sierra Marquardt, the Ramada Hotel in Centennial has become a home. Striking a month-to-month deal with the management, they have lived there with their two children since March. Others live there too, saying it is a safer place to live than other temporary housing options during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It has kind of been a sanctuary for some of us," explained Shawn Smith.
On Wednesday, however, their future at the hotel was abruptly cut short after notices were sent to the remaining residents that the hotel would be closing down. They were given fewer than 24 hours to vacate.
"About 5 p.m. they gave us the news that they wanted us out at noon the next day," explained Smith. "A lot of people just scrambled and packed up and left."
But with few options and little money, they have decided to stay and fight the eviction. Only a few residents remain in the hotel.
"We are staying here until basically something gives," he said. "Nobody has given us instruction as to what our legal rights are."
The residents say they were not given an explanation as to why they need leave the building. They did not sign leases with the Ramada but they say an abrupt end to their residencies was unexpected.
"It is devastating," said Sierra Marquardt. "This has been our home for months and now it is being taken away from us with no regard of how it is going to affect us and the other families."
Contact Denver7 attempted to reach out to the hotel management but has not heard back.
