UPDATE: Temporary RV community draws complaints at rodeo site in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- City officials have apparently received complaints about a short-term recreational vehicle camp on the grounds of the Norris Penrose Event Center.

Estimates are that around 25 RV owners are paying to park on the property and connect to utility hookups (water and electricity) normally reserved for participants in the annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

The residents began moving onto the property after the rodeo was canceled this summer due to the pandemic, and the city and event center were looking for a way to generate revenue for the center.

The solution was to help RV owners who couldn't find room at other camps, even though the area is not zoned for camp use.

"It was always meant to be temporary for events, for times when there's workers there for several months, but never a permanent RV facility," said City Council President Richard Skorman.

RV owner Rob DeJong moved into the temporary camp two months ago.

"It's hard to find a place here in town," he explained. "We work hard, ten hours a day, five days a week. Just hard to find a good place to stay."

The RVs are parked in a valley along a creek that flows through the property. There are no homes in the immediate area and for most people -- especially at night -- the RVs are hard to see.

However, part of the Lower Skyway neighborhood overlooks the area, and a biking/hiking trail parallels the creek and camp. Some RV owners believe that nearby homeowners and trail users have complained about the camp being there too long and being an eyesore.

NEW INFORMATION

This weekend, after KRDO NewsChannel 13 broke the story, three neighbors sent email messages explaining the situation from their perspective.

According to one neighbor, "The reports were for code violations, and health and safety concerns. There were reports of people being observed dumping human waste into Bear Creek. The trash is not secure for bears, which is a requirement in this area. There (are) permanent fences and structures being added... sheds, flag poles swing sets and many disabled vehicles. (There are) many, seemingly disabled RVs not parked at hookups, just randomly parked around the grounds, with a lot of stuff. Some vehicles, like (a) school bus, (is) not even an RV. Considering Colorado Springs is well-known for the types of services truly homeless require, they are not seeking them out. Most of them have been there for the entire year, or for years. Furthermore, Bear Creek Park just experienced a significant fire. Multiple RV parks, within five miles of this spot, have spots open. Park users and surrounding neighbors are not barbarians and snotty. Many of us volunteer and donate to local resources. The Norris Penrose Center is not dignified or humane, when operated in the current conditions, for the residents or neighbors. It is also not safe for anyone. That is why rules and ordinances exist."

Another neighbor wrote: "One lady said her cousin is living there and makes $150,000 a year. Really? It has to do with the zoning laws and health code violations. If one of those people can get money to buy a property, then he/she doesn't need to be there."

The third email comment stated: "The biggest issue is that (the center) did not obtain proper conditional-use permission to have a continuous campground. Apparently, through folks I know and have kept in touch with over the decades -- including Skorman -- (the center) has received more than its share of permissions. Although these folks need to live someplace, and I cannot criticize their method, one does not need to have money to be neat, clean and organized."

Other RV owners worry that unwanted attention brought by the controversy will put pressure on the city and the center to evict them.

However, the center's general manager, Kyle Parks, said the RV owners have until April 1 before they must find other places to live.

"That's when we expect to be back to normal operations," he said.

DeJong said that he's in the process of trying to buy a vacant parcel and have the current campers move there.

The city initially said the camp could exist until May, Skorman said, but that the nonprofit owner of the property wants them to start moving out before then.