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A memorial was held at the City and County Building in downtown Denver. Advocates say the homeless who died this year ranged in age from 2 months to 81 years old.
Randle Loeb was there in honor of his friend, Joe Pelham. He keeps a picture of Pelham on his mantle.
"He had many ways of being independent, which many homeless people do," Loeb said.
Despite his struggles, Pelham was known as a fun and caring person. That is what Loeb wants people to know.
"One thing we would love to see is that people regard the citizens who are vulnerable as members of their community," Loeb said.
He knows firsthand the importance of community support.
"I'm bipolar. I was almost dead, having [attempted to] commit suicide and being a in a coma," he said.
He survived and a church gave him a job.
"So I was able to rebuild and regain my composure and to get back in the middle of work," Loeb said.
Now he speaks for those who are still homeless.
"When we stand on the corner and [see the homeless]," he said. "What is our responsibility?"
This was the 25th year for the annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil. Organizers hope to bring attention to the need for better medical and mental health care for the homeless.
(KUSA-TV © 2010 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)