Protesters outside of the Police Operations Center in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A group of protesters are outside the Police Operations Center at Rio Grande St. and Nevada Ave. Police are telling people it is an unlawful presence and telling them to disperse.

There are reports some people tried to climb the fence at the POC. We're working to confirm that.

CSPD tweeted several protesters in front of the Police Operations Center engaged in criminal activity. Police said although several lawful orders were given to disperse, protesters failed to comply.

Police tweeted that officers used chemical irritants into the crowd in order to disperse the gathering.

CSPD is asking people to avoid the downtown area as they work to bring the protest back to a peaceful state.

KRDO reporter Zachary Aedo is there now. He says at least one person was arrested.