Homeless Running Out Of Options
By Laurie Ciprianol.cipriano@krdo.com
EL PASO COUNTY – Colorado Springs homeless may have found a temporary way around the no camping ban.
“We have seen, as the sheriff pointed out, some sort of migration of some of the homeless camps as they’re moving farther south because they can’t now camp in the city limits,” said El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark.
Colorado Springs banned camping on public property earlier this year. Manitou Springs has had a camping ban since 1978. “So maybe we’re a little behind the curve,” said Commissioner Clark.
Tuesday, El Paso County Commissioners unanimously voted to enact a similar ban. “What we did was we put together an ordinance that’s consistent with both the city of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs,” said Commissioner Clark. “I think that’s really positive that we’re coming forward with something that at least puts us into place and provides consistency throughout the community.”
The new regulations will take effect June 1, 2010. “Well, essentially you won’t be able to put up structures,” said Commissioner Clark. “You won’t be able to camp on that public property. You won’t be able to provide living accommodations on public property that’s in the county areas, in the unincorporated areas of the county. And while some may not realize that there are little pockets of county among the city, we do have sort of enclaves within the city of Colorado Springs that are actually unincorporated.”
The sheriff’s department is working with the homeless outreach team to help those looking for shelter and jobs. “I think that there’s been a really positive pouring of outreach efforts as it relates to our community,” said Commissioner Clark.
