Colo. Springs makes more room at warming shelters

The City of Colorado Springs says the need for emergency shelters in the community is significant, and it has worked to provide more beds to those in need this year.

On a cold night last January, hundreds had nowhere to go.

“We identified 250 people who were unsheltered in our community,” said Aimee Cox, community initiatives manager. “All the shelter beds were full. That was on one of the coldest nights of the year.”

Cox said there are now 100 more beds available at winter shelters. One of those locations, Springs Rescue Mission, located at 5 W. Las Vegas St., increased its capacity from 35 beds to 57 beds.

“As we had a shortage of beds last year, it’s wonderful that the community’s rallied together to pay for that expansion and to make sure that there are more beds available for people living on our streets,” said Ben Robb, development director of the Springs Rescue Mission.

Still more than two dozen people were turned away from Springs Rescue Mission on Monday night. Many were told to go to the Salvation Army shelter at 505 S. Weber Street where about 100 people can stay. Both shelters are open every night from April 1 to Nov. 15.

The Salvation Army shelter at the R.J. Montgomery Center provides shelter for families with children. It is at 709 S. Sierra Madre Street.

Homeless teens ages 15 to 20 who are on their own can go to Urban Peak, 423 E. Cucharras St.