Friends, family remember homeless man who died during blizzard in Colorado Springs
At least one person died during the first blizzard of 2019 in Colorado Springs, and police are encouraging those without homes to seek shelter during extreme weather.
His body was found at a bus stop near Academy and Austin Bluffs, where he often spent the night. He was loved by those who knew him.
It’s not hard to miss the dozens of memorials adorning the side of highways or street corners, but it’s not often you see one at an open bus stop.
“He was a really nice man, it’s just unfortunate he was homeless,” Lysa Romero said.
Flowers and signs have been left by the bus stop bench for the man known as “Calvin.” He slept on this bench almost every night, on the corner of Academy and Austin Bluffs in Colorado Springs.
For Romero, it’s a place she comes and goes, but for the man, she knew as Calvin it was so much more.
“He lived right there at that bus stop,” she said.
His sleeping bag and blanket are still near the bench. They were the only things that kept him warm during the blizzard Monday night. But it wasn’t enough. He died on that very bench, beneath the thin fabric.
It can be described as heartbreaking final moments that the homeless outreach team says didn’t have to happen.
“We start telling people right away, fill up the shelters,” said Lt. Mike Lux, with the Colorado Springs Homeless Outreach Team.
Not everyone wants to take advantage of the resources in the city, though.
Travis Williams with the Springs Rescue Mission says they had 342 people in the shelter Monday night, leaving plenty of room for more. It’s a pattern they’ve seen since more beds were added last year.
“We’ve anywhere from 80 to 100 and 110 extra beds available for folks and we implore folks that if you’re struggling out there on the street we have a warm, safe, dry, dignified and reliable shelter,” Williams said.
The bed in the shelter would have been much warmer than the bench Calvin called home.
With the wind chill, the low temperatures were in the single digits Monday night. Those who knew Calvin say they wish they could’ve done more.
If you see someone outside in the cold, you can take action by calling the police.
