Why Utah’s New “Code Red” Would Help The Homeless In The Heat

The Utah 2025 Legislature is proposing a way to help the state’s growing homeless population with a new bill that could protect from heat.  

There is currently a “Code Blue” in place that allows local non-profits and other organizations in Utah to create space for the homeless population when the weather is too cold. On the opposite end of that, Se, R-Todd Weiler is sponsoring a bill that does the same but for hot weather called “Code Red”.  

The homeless population suffers from getting sick during heatwaves and even death in some cases when proper assistance is not given. 

With this bill in place, those who are homeless would receive help from non-profits and government organizations, the legislature said.  

This help would include making space at homeless shelters during a Code Red day, handing out supplies to help the homeless population survive the heat, and making sure the local law enforcement does not confiscate helpful items like tents on these occasions.  

Code Red would be activated when the National Weather Service gives a heat risk prediction of moderate or above, the legislature said. The public will also need to have received a Code Red alert from the Department of Health and Human Services.  

This would not prevent counties, the local homeless shelter or other organizations from planning and offering help in other ways or at other times related to heat.  

The Utah Senate voted for Code Red to go through with a majority vote of 27, the Salt Lake Tribune said. Now it will have to make its way through the Utah House of Representatives. 

Should Code Red go through, it would start on May 7, 2025.