Pueblo warming shelter opens, still kinks to be worked out

Antonio Calsadilla lives right behind the Pueblo Rescue Mission. He says he is happy there is a place for the homeless to go, but he wants the Rescue Mission to start taking responsibility for what’s happening outside the building.

“Dealing drugs, doing drugs in front of everybody, they don’t care. Throwing needles everywhere,” Calsadilla said.

He said his daughter’s window looks out to the parking lot where many of these activities happen.

“She is seeing people in the alley urinating, dealing drugs and defecating. I don’t think it’s a nice thing for a kid to grow up with,” Calsadilla said.

Jackie Jaramillo, the CEO of the Pueblo Rescue Mission, said they are looking for staff and volunteers to help so they can begin to address issues like this.

“We are committed to being good neighbors to everybody. So, as soon as we get our core of volunteers built up, we will definitely be policing the area,” Jaramillo said.

She said in three days, they moved in and were up and running, but there is still a lot to be worked on and done.

“We need people monitoring the bathrooms, we need people monitoring all of the doors, we need people to give information to individuals so that the staff isn’t interrupted,” Jaramillo said.

Although the lease in this building is only until April, they hope to stay for a longer time.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Rescue Mission, call (719) 299-4585.