Rooted in the culturally vibrant West Colfax neighborhood, a powerful partnership grew from a shared belief: that everyone deserves more than just a roof over their head. Everyone deserves dignity, empathy, and opportunity. In 2017, a development emerged from the collaboration between two nonprofits: Rocky Mountain Communities, a statewide provider of affordable housing, and the Delores Project, a shelter focused on supporting women, transgender, and nonbinary and (LGBTQ+?) individuals experiencing homelessness. Spearheaded by two leaders, Richard (Dick) Taft, CEO of RMC, and Laura Rossbert, Interim Executive Director of the Delores Project, they combined their adjacent properties to create one unique site, Arroyo Village. This distinctive property offers shelter, supportive housing for people of all genders, and permanent affordable housing, all in one building.
Opened in 2019, Arroyo Village is more than an affordable place to live; it was created and designed to be a pathway to healing. Designed by Shopworks Architecture, the property integrates Dignified Design (formerly Trauma-Informed Design) throughout the 60-bed shelter, 35 one-bedroom supportive housing units, and 95 permanent affordable housing units. In architecture, “dignified design” refers to creating spaces that respect and uplift the people who use them, prioritizing human dignity, inclusion, and well-being.
Informed by the growing research of the time that connected built environments to mental and emotional well-being, Shopworks took a radically human-centered approach to designing Arroyo. Every corner, corridor, and community space was intentionally crafted to support those who have experienced trauma. Through design charrettes with the Delores Project’s shelter guests and future residents, the Shopworks team listened closely to what mattered most: safety, soundproofing, natural light, and community. Residents shared concerns about noise, security, and privacy; concerns that stemmed not from preference, but from lived experience with trauma. The result was a building that honors those needs. Stairwells were built wider with natural light to avoid dark, isolating spaces. Apartments were soundproofed to reduce anxiety. Staff were given their own outdoor patio to decompress from the vicarious trauma of their work. The environment reduces the likelihood of re-traumatization and promotes healing.
Founded on principles of respect and empowerment, Arroyo Village became a national model for inclusive housing. In 2020, it earned the prestigious Urban Land Institute Jack Kemp Award, nominated by Laura Rossbert, who later became Chief Operating Officer and Supportive Housing Specialist at Shopworks. The same values that guided Arroyo Village continued to evolve through Shopworks, the driving force behind a growing movement in dignified design. Shopworks has spent the last decade refining the principles that shape the practice. Their upcoming book, Designing for Dignity: Elements of Practice launched September 10, 2025, is a culmination of years of research, listening to real-world experiences, and designing with care. Drawing on input from more than 3,000 individuals, the book offers a powerful framework for fostering healing, safety, and joy. This work started with community collaboration and the power of empathy that still defines Arroyo Village today.
At Rocky Mountain Communities, we believe that a stable home is the foundation for opportunity. Arroyo Village embodies our mission to build brighter futures and inspire hope. As we celebrate the release of Shopworks’ new book, we invite our community of architects, developers, and contractors to imagine what’s possible when design is rooted in empathy. Together, we’re constructing more than buildings; we’re creating spaces where Colorado families can thrive, heal, and belong.
