Sobriety House was incorporated in July of 1967 by Reverend Ernest Baber, an unorthodox minister, who left behind the comfortable church setting to run a street mission for the poor 25 years before opening Sobriety House. It was called the Citizens Mission and was housed at 1617 Larimer Street.

Reverend Baber joined with several concerned citizens to offer a low cost but dignified setting where a person could change their life. He had seen so much pain caused by alcoholism that he wanted to offer a home, AA meetings, a chance for counseling, an opportunity to find work, and the support of caring people.

In 1978, an independent program called Stepping Stone was experiencing financial difficulties. After seeking technical assistance from Sobriety House’s Board of Directors, they decided that the program could not sustain itself. Stepping Stone’s Board and the State Department of Health then asked Sobriety House to take on the responsibility of running the program. This acquisition broadened Sobriety House’s capabilities to include female clients and raised capacity from 36 clients to 50.

Later, in 1987, Thomas G. Vessels gave two houses he acquired in 1974 to Sobriety House at no cost to the program. These two houses were adjacent to the original house at 121 Acoma Street. Also in 1987, Sobriety House also acquired an apartment building at 1406 Gaylord Street where graduates of the program can live for up to nine months in a sober living environment.

In 2007, Sobriety House merged with the Phoenix Concept, and Sobriety House is the surviving corporate entity. For many years, this was a male facility. This building has since been placed for sale. To replace the Phoenix Concept building, Sobriety House purchased a property in Lakewood in late 2022.

75% of all Sobriety House staff are in recovery, with an average of 7 years of sobriety/181 years combined

88% of all Board members are in recovery, with an average of 22 years of sobriety/175 years combined

Average staff tenure (for those who started employment prior to 2024): 4.5 years

31% have been employed with SoHo for 5 years or longer

14% have been employed with SoHo for 10 years or longer

10% have been employed with SoHo for 15 years or longer

Although Sobriety House was started by a minister, it is not now, nor has it ever been, affiliated with a church.