Colorado warming shelters prep for first major cold stretch of winter season, asking for donations

COLORADO, USA (KRDO) - As El Paso County and Colorado Springs brace for this week's snow and dangerously low temperatures, local shelters say they're preparing for more people than usual to stay with them.

Hope COS, operating out of a gymnasium attached to Sanctuary Church in Old Colorado City, says they have 120 cots, which were nearly filled up just by mid-afternoon on Monday.

"We're looking at being open to Friday and then we're going to warm up a little bit. So we're going to do a little reset and then, um, we, the way it's looking, we're going to open at the beginning of next week to." explained Hope COS Outreach and Shelter Manager, Jesse Sandlin.

Sandlin says that a the OCC location, they have a kitchen to provide warm meals, as well as blankets or clothing to those that might need it. It's a critical operation to have running during these two weeks of frigid weather, for those that are homeless.

In fact, the El Paso County Coroner says from December 2023 through March 2024 last year, 15 people died from cold exposure.

"When temperatures drop below freezing are dangerous. People can get frostbite. And, you know, at the worst, they could die." said Sandlin. "And so having a shelter, having a safe place for them to go, warm food, you know, some sleep... you know, just a place for people to go be safe." he added.

While at the Hope COS shelter on Monday, people and organizations like local food banks, were seen dropping boxes of food off. However, shelter management says more is certainly welcome, especially as they'll be opening a second shelter location on Tuesday, the Hope House along North Union Blvd.

"We have a need for blankets, jackets, socks, anything that's gently used. If you're not using it, we can use it." said Sandlin, who added that breakfast food items are a specific need they're hoping for more of.

City residents like Abigayle Schollmeyer, along with her two small children, donated a multitude of items to the OCC shelter.

"I think it was really eye opening for my kiddos going there, and see just how the other side lives and how blessed they are to have this food on their table." said Schollmeyer, who admits she even has to use food pantries from time to time, giving her more sympathy for those needing to get off the street for a meal.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs Rescue Mission, with upwards of 450 bed spaces, say that they still have about 60 beds still available for people in the city. Sandlin says that people looking for bed space should go there first, while they can act as a secondary option for those needing a place to stay.

You can click here to help out Hope COS, where there are links for ways to donate on their Facebook, and have other informative posts.

Click here to learn about donating to the Springs Rescue Mission.