‘Keep It Clean COS’ initiative aims to reduce litter in Colorado Springs streets

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers announced a new initiative that aims to reduce litter within the city.

The new initiative, 'Keep It Clean COS,' comes after noticing the problem of litter on the streets has gotten worst over the years. The $2.7 million that funds the initiative comes from the City's reserves.

"Folks, I don't have many obsessions that I admit to, but I freely admit I have an obsessive dislike for litter," said Suthers Monday.

The program consists of many components. Funding goes towards purchasing street sweepers, vacuum trucks, and adding manpower to remove trash from the streets, including covering 135 miles of roadway.

"In my mind, no city in America can hold a candle to Colorado Springs when it comes to natural beauty…and it is incumbent upon us as a city government, yes, but also as residents of this great city, to be good stewards of the environment," said Suthers.

The city's director of public works, Travis Easton, says just last year they received more than 1,000 comments from citizens requesting the city to take action on the problem.

"We are making sure that we are really delivering a quality of life for our citizens that they deserve, we are putting forth this program," said Travis Easton with Public of Works.

The city will be focusing on over 1,100 medians totaling more than 8.4 million square feet.

Last year, 'WorkCOS,' a homelessness initiative that employs the homeless to do cleanups, removed more than 12,000 cubic yards of trash.

That program hopes to continue helping people get off the streets, as well as keeping the city clean.

The city also challenges businesses and citizens to clean up their property.

With this new initiative also comes a citywide award, the “Keep It Clean COS Spirit of the Springs Award,” which will be presented annually in the fall to a volunteer or group contributing to making the city clean.

Winners will also get to name the street sweeper promotion for one of the new sweepers.

The winner will be announced in May.

For more information on Keep It Clean COS, click here