Evergreen High School opened its doors on Friday to families, students and staff for a controlled visit — the first sanctioned entry since a shooting that left the community reeling last week. Hundreds of people filed through metal detectors and police cordons to see the classrooms and corridors where law enforcement confronted the gunman, officials said, and to place flowers and notes on a quickly erected memorial outside the main entrance.

“This is about being together and starting to put things back where they belong,” Evergreen School District Superintendent said in a brief statement outside the school. “We are focused on the safety of our students and staff, and on providing counseling and practical support to families.” The district declined to release specific counts of those attending the visitation, citing privacy concerns for victims and ongoing investigative needs.

Law enforcement maintained a significant presence. The county sheriff’s office said the criminal investigation into the incident remains active and that agents would continue to restrict access to certain areas while evidence collection concluded. “We are working methodically so families can have answers,” the sheriff’s office said in an afternoon update, without offering further detail on motive or the number of victims.

For students and parents, the day was heavy with grief and relief. One parent, who asked not to be named, described the experience as “bittersweet” and said the chance to see teachers and familiar spaces helped some adolescents move from shock toward mourning. School officials reiterated plans to expand in-school mental health services, add grief counselors and coordinate with county behavioral-health resources for months to come.

Beyond the immediate human cost, the episode raises short- and long-term policy and budget questions for the district and municipalities. School boards across Colorado have faced pressure to invest in hardened entryways, metal detectors, cameras and more counselors after high-profile shootings. Those investments can run into the millions of dollars; districts often turn to reserve funds, emergency state grants or bond measures to finance upgrades. State officials said they are coordinating with the district to identify available grants and federal aid streams.

Analysts caution that such security spending carries trade-offs. “Money directed toward security technology and facility retrofits is money not spent on hiring teachers or expanding counseling,” said a policy researcher at a regional education institute. “Communities must weigh immediate safety upgrades against long-term investments that affect educational outcomes.”

The local economy also feels ripple effects. Small businesses near the school saw reduced foot traffic during the first days of the lockdown, while local vendors specializing in school security and mental-health services report increased inquiries. Insurers and risk managers say public schools may face higher premiums and more stringent coverage requirements as districts ratchet up physical-security measures — a cost that typically materializes in the next budget cycle.

Nationally, the Evergreen incident rekindles ongoing debates about gun policy, school safety and the funding mechanisms used to protect students. Whatever policy choices the district pursues in the coming weeks — emergency security contracts, capital improvements or expanded counseling — they are likely to reshape Evergreen’s classrooms and budgets for years, as communities balance the urgent need for safety with the broader educational mission.