New Colorado Springs Police mural created to build trust, bring community together

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Police Department has spent the last year working with a local artist to create a massive mural project, the largest in city history.

Wednesday, the department and artist Paes 164 unveiled the mural, located on the south side of the CSPD Parking garage.

According to CSPD, the mural required 50 gallons of paint and 350 cans of spray paint and is 50 ft high and over 350 ft long.

Paes 164, an award-winning mural and graffiti artist for more than 30 years and a resident artist at Fallon heroes Tattoo, spoke to KRDO about the community partnership.

"I was getting chased by the police for doing graffiti of course I wasn't going to think I would get paid to do it," said Paes 164. "My hope is just that they are just going to enjoy and see that our police department is working hard to keep our neighborhood safe and do things with us. "

Twenty years ago he said he never would've imagined this day would come. Now, he's using his artistic talent to create a positive message meant to bring the community together.

"This is a big difference even compared to ten years ago with the type of art we had in the city available for public viewing…Now we have murals popping up around town, I think it is a great thing. "

Deputy Police Chief with the Colorado Springs Department Adrian Vasquez says the hope behind this project is to build community trust.

"I am hoping that they do see the commitment that CSPD does have to build that trust in the community---our officers are just other people in the community- all the things that we all do in the community we are part of that and this symbolizes that to me," said Vasquez.

This mural was funded by community members, businesses, and nonprofit organizations and is now open to the public for pictures and videos.