Homelessness in Denver

I took my daughters to the park. This is a park we have been going to since they were born. It is a very nice park, with a pond, geese, large playground equipment and lots of grass to run around and get their energy out. After I let them play on the playground, while I went for a jog, I told them “Let’s go walk the dogs around the lake”. Midway through the walk a homeless lady was sitting down at the picnic table with her mates. She sees us, and she gets up and storms towards us. She starts yelling at us. Lucky, I have my puggle with me, and he scared her away, thank goodness. My girls, and I walk away. My poor daughters were in tears. They are not used to this kind of situation, because it has just recently changed so much in Colorado. I was at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, with my family and a lady was panhandling my elderly sick Dad. She was starting to get aggressive. I became very protective, and I was so pissed. I walked up to them and she took off. I had a homeless man that is regularly around my house, he came in my backyard and tired to get in my house, lucky my dog scared him away. These instances are new for me. I have lived here all my life. I used to leave my doors unlocked, and I used to go anywhere, anytime and nothing happened. The homeless population is increasing rapidly in Denver . I am not sure why? I read an article that homelessness is increasing because they are coming here for jobs and not because of the legalization of marijuana. I don’t know what to think but I still love Denver, and I just think I need to beware of my surroundings and carry pepper spray. I’m not used to this though. I like to go wherever and not have to worry, and pay attention, and do my own thing.