UPDATE: Water shutoff delayed at Manitou apartment complex

(SATURDAY)

The water shutoff at Becker’s Lane Lodge in Manitou Springs that was supposed to happen last week, is now scheduled for this week — leaving the fate of more than 20 residents uncertain.

Residents expected they’d have no water last Tuesday because of the owner’s overdue bill. However, city officials decided to delay the shutoff to give residents more time to find other housing.

Electricity at the complex will be turned off next weekend, residents said.

The issue, they said, is that utility costs are included in the cost of their rent. However, because the lodge’s owner doesn’t have a required business license, the city has reportedly advised an unspecified number of residents to withhold their rent, thus causing the entire complex to face water and electricity shutdowns.

The reprieve may not be enough to help some residents who are elderly, unemployed, on low incomes or have health needs.

“Where are they going to go?” said June Hopkins, the manager. “They have nowhere to go. Is anyone trying to find other places for them to live? No, nobody that I’m aware of.”

Hopkins said the few housing options have long waiting lists that won’t help the residents in time.

“I’m not going anywhere, unless they evict me,” she said. “I might take a few residents in with me. Some others can move in with friends or family.”

Several residents said they’ll try to meet with the city council member or El Paso County commissioner for their district.

The Red Cross visited the complex Friday to file case reports on residents who may have future needs.

(WEDNESDAY)

Residents of a 22-unit apartment complex in Manitou Springs could be forced to move elsewhere if utilities are shut off because of delinquent bills.

Bill Shirley, the owner of Becker’s Lane Lodge, said he doesn’t have a business license required by the city.

“There’s other businesses that don’t have one either,” he said.

As a result, residents said they’ve been told by the city to withhold rent payments which range from $700 to $900. Some residents have not paid since summer but others have continued to pay as usual.

Shirley pays for utilities out of the rent payments.

Mary Dykas is among residents who haven’t paid.

“When we were paying before, the utilities still weren’t being paid,” she said. “Where’s the money going? (Shirley) is $4,000 behind on the water bill.”

But the complex’s manager, June Hopkins, said lack of rent money only worsens the problem.

“If they would pay their rent, we wouldn’t be having this problem right now,” she said. “But instead, we have people who live here, who won’t pay their rent. We’ve got their kids squatting in rooms.”

Another resident, Lisa White, said the city wants to acquire the property to build new housing, and is using the situation as a reason to force tenants to move.

“Where are they going to go?” White said. “Some are older, some have health problems, some don’t have much money. This has been home to us. We’ve even spent our own time and money trying to maintain the place.”

Residents said the water was supposed to be shut off at 2 p.m. Tuesday. However, that was delayed after police got involved in the situation.

Police said before the water eventually is turned off, an effort will be made to finding other housing for the residents.

Residents said the complex also is behind on its electric bill, and that power is scheduled to be turned off late next week.