Frequent homeless camp location cleared out, cleaned again in El Paso County
Authorities returned to a homeless camp Wednesday in El Paso County that they estimate has been cleared out and cleaned up a dozen times since late in 2017.
The Sheriff’s Office said around 20 people were illegally camping on private property near the intersection of U.S. 24 and Ridge Road, between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.
In a mile-long stretch between that location and 31st Street — and along the highway, Fountain Creek, and the Midland Trail — homeless campers have regularly set up, been evicted and then returned within days or weeks.
The Sheriff’s Office, after saying it cited “a handful” of campers at the site Wednesday, later said no citations were issued because the campers willingly complied with the eviction order.
Christina Cambell was among the campers evicted. She sat in tears, surrounded by her belongings, on the trail.
“I’ve been homeless for five years,” she said. “I came here to get away from two abusive marriages. Every time I get back on my feet, something like this happens. Where am I going to go next?”
Cambell said authorities also seized her dog.
“Now I have to find a way to pay to get my dog back,” she said.
To try to break the homeless camp cycle, the Sheriff’s Office said it is looking for ways to help recently released jail or prison inmates who have nowhere to go and often end up in homeless camps.
“We don’t have an exact plan or timetable yet,” said Lt. Bill Huffor. “Most of the campers have been here before.”
The Sheriff’s Office, the county health department and Colorado Springs police met earlier this week to discuss the matter.
Graham Howell, a homeless man evicted from the camp, said he supports the idea of providing support to former inmates.
“I just got out of prison eight months ago,” he said. “I prefer to be out here instead of a crowded shelter with too many rules. But some inmates who have been released definitely could use help getting back into society.”
The latest homeless camp cleanup continues Thursday.
Kristy Milligan, CEO of Westside Cares, a local advocacy organization for the homeless and low-income citizens, said she doesn’t like the eviction process at homeless camps.
“Telling people who are experiencing homeless they don’t get to make choices, is the ultimate sort of victim-blaming,” she said. “(Assuming) that somehow, they don’t deserve access to running water, or they should stay in a shelter with 300 people who may be sick, and that they have to go outside to a portable toilet. I’m in favor of any creative solution that creates a dignified choice for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.”
