Local apartment troubled by mold growth

Residents of an apartment complex just beyond the east Colorado Springs city limits are seeking help with removing an outbreak of mold.

At least six residents of the Space Village Apartments near U.S. 24 and Peterson Air Force Base have reported mold inside their units. They say the problem began after a new Denver-based owner acquired the property.

The worst mold at the 22-unit complex appears to be on resident Mat Reetz’s bathroom ceiling.

“I didn’t realize it had gotten that bad,” he said. “I knew it was bad. I didn’t realize I had the worst of it.”

Todd Bourdelais, Reetz’s neighbor, said he moved in three months ago and became aware of the mold issue within a week.

“The former tenant here left a package on my door,” he said. “She came by later, and said she had hired someone to test for mold and gave me the results. She said (management) shouldn’t have rented this apartment to anyone.”

Bourdelais pointed out several areas where mold was painted over before he moved in.

Al Megrew, of Environmental Counseling and Referral Services, the company that conducted the test, said the level of mold in the apartment “was not alarming.” He said such mold often develops where bacteria is present.

However, residents said they want the mold removed before it worsens because they are experiencing a variety of illnesses from it.

Bourdelais said residents have contacted several agencies and even consulted attorneys for help, with no success.

Compounding the problem, according to El Paso County, is that no laws regarding mold on residential property exist in Colorado.

But late Friday afternoon, El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen, and the county health department, promised to investigate the matter and find answers for the residents.