Entire Colorado Springs apartment complex ordered to vacate due to asbestos

An asbestos outbreak has led to an entire apartment complex of 192 units in Colorado Springs needing to be evacuated. And although asbestos is a serious issue, the eviction has left a lot of residents not knowing what to do next.

At about 8 p.m. Wednesday, residents of the Thrive at the Incline, formerly known as the Shannon Glen Apartments, received some unsettling news.

Brian Moten said, “So last night I got a notice that said, basically an eviction that said we had to move out by December 14th.”

And when they tried to get answers?

“Right now, I tried to call the number that’s listed on the notice and I got a voicemail," said Todd Johnson, another resident. "You know, 'Merry Christmas,' right?”

Due to positive tests of asbestos in the building, authorities told the residents that they have 10 days to evacuate. If they don't voluntarily leave, it would be an automatic eviction. Residents say that the complex has offered money for the essentials along with a paid hotel room until they find a place to stay.

Braun Rochester said, “It’s not fair. It’s not right for none of these people. I’ll be okay, but what about them?”

Rochester, who already had his car packed and was leaving as we spoke to him, said it’s not so much himself he is worried about, but everyone else who lives here.

"I’ll be the voice for all of them, I’ll be the voice for all of them. It’s not fair,” said Rochester.

Rochester said he worked for the complex and that the building was under a major renovation, which he believes led to the disturbed asbestos.

“Doing the windows, doing all the makeup stuff around here that they have been trying to do, doing all the remodeling, that’s what stirred it all up,” he said.

With this coming right before the holidays, the timing couldn’t be any worse, some residents say. One resident who wanted to stay anonymous said she has three kids to worry about.

“My youngest is eight. He knows what Christmas is. How is he going to feel when he wakes up in the morning and he has no Christmas because I had to go move us to a new place because the place we lived failed to take care of us like they are supposed to?” she said.

Residents say they are being told they will be refunded for December's rent, which was paid just a few days ago.

We tried speaking with the apartment complex, but they would not issue us a statement on the matter. We will continue to try and get in contact with them.