Manitou Springs Police Department undergoing remodel, department now working out of trailer

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -The Manitou Springs Police Department is working out of a trailer. The change comes as they begin to remodel their building for safety and to comply with the American Disabilities Act.

The mobile trailer is in the parking lot outside the pool and fitness center and is tight quarters for the officers who are working inside it.

The old building was built in 1880 and has not been renovated since 1980, so officials say this is a much-needed facelift.

The city says most officers work out of their cars, so the new workspace in the trailer will not impact their daily workflow.

If Manitous Springs Police make an arrest, they will now take suspects to the El Paso County jail for holding.

The focus of the renovation is to make the police station safer and more functional. The city is gutting the entire interior of the building to rebuild their jails and make them more sanitary.

"So what the renovations are going to be doing is we're going to be installing two separate holding cells that will be used as holding cells, and they'll have those facilities in them, such as restroom sinks so folks can wash their hands, things of that nature. It's a major upgrade to safety for the person they're holding, as well as the officers," says Alex Tefry, Manitou Springs Police Department.

The project will cost 675 thousand dollars, half of which is being paid for through a state grant.

Manitou Springs Police want to stress to the public that they are still in full operation and available to the community.