Pueblo’s new temporary warming shelter opens its doors for the first time

After months of waiting, the homeless in Pueblo finally have a place to warm themselves at night.

The city opened its temporary warming shelters doors on the 900 block of West 9th street for the first time last night . Pueblo Rescue Mission is running the operation. The former Pueblo foods warehouse used to be filled with mats blankets, and the city’s homeless trying to get a break from the winter winds.

“When I was there in the facility it was nice,” said Willie, one of Pueblo’s homeless and one of the first to try out the new shelter on its opening night. ” It can be very brutal out here on the streets at night, especially during the cold nights when the temperature drops drastically.” Doors open every night at 7 p.m and stay closed around 10 p.m. Men and women will be separated, and bags are searched by security upon arrival. When the homeless leave at 8am, Pueblo police will be on scene.

“It went surprisingly well,” said Rodney Hanks, a full time employee with Pueblo rescue mission. “We didn’t have very many clients only fifteen, and three women. But that was good. We got our feet wet.” More are expected to come once word spreads. Hanks expects numbers to double tonight, and estimates numbers around 80 people a night heading into the future.

They believe numbers we’re low tonight because the weather isn’t very cold, and they are expecting word of mouth to attract more people in the coming days.

Hanks says security will go a long way in keeping the peace. Pueblo shelters lacked security in the past.

Despite all this, the homeless and staff say there is room for improvement.

“We could use cots,” says Willie. “We’d be off the floor. That would be a step up.”

Pueblo Rescue Missions Director Kathy Cline says they are working towards getting cots, but it is no guarantee.

Cline says blanket donations are welcome. Pueblo Rescue Mission will accept blanket donations at the 9th street shelter when staff is there at 7 p.m.