Colorado Springs' largest homeless shelter grows with overnighters; popup shelters delayed for this storm
A lingering storm bringing colder temperatures and accumulating snow to the Pikes Peak region is driving more people to seek indoor accommodations at Colorado Springs' largest homeless shelter.
While another local organization that has been providing transportation from outdoor homeless camps and temporary popup shelters at churches and other locations is holding off for an anticipated progression of winter's nastier frigid nights.
Stays for single men and women at Springs Rescue Mission jumped from an average of 375 people a night last week to 431 clients Wednesday evening, said Interim President and CEO Travis Williams.
"Although Springs Rescue Mission provides access to care 365 days a year, and we're accustomed to weather of all kinds, these days are different," he said. "These are the days that remind us of why we do what we do — the days that our teams really go above and beyond to meet people at their point of need."
Anyone looking for a place to spend the night can use Springs Rescue Mission, at 5 E. Las Vegas St., even adults who have been drinking or doing drugs before they arrive, and when it's 19 degrees or below, people who have been suspended from services are considered for entry.
The day centers on the campus also are open for extended hours for clients to use the bathrooms, showers and laundry services, and socialize, watch television, and charge electronic devices, all "while staying warm, safe and dry," Williams said.
"Our overall goal in doing so is to stay true to the 'come as you are' nature of Springs Rescue Mission — and to be a trusted community nonprofit in the middle of the storm," he said.
Like every day of the year, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado serves daily hot meals from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., snow or shine, said spokeswoman Rochelle Schlortt.
But when temperatures drop, the soup kitchen opens its warming center at 9 a.m. at the Marian House, 14 W. Bijou St., as it's done this week, to "help people get some respite from the cold and wet elements," she said.
One organization, Hope COS, postponed its winter emergency shelter program during this first major storm of the 2024-25 winter season, citing significant costs for supplies and resources.
"While our shelters are primarily volunteer-operated, the cost of supplies and resources required to open remains significant, and our Warming Shelter program is still unfunded," said Melissa Oskin, founder and executive director.
"To make the best use of what we do have, we're holding our resources for times of even more severe temperatures, where we can maximize impact to prevent frostbite and save lives," she said.
When temperatures are dangerously cold, the organization sends employees and volunteers into homeless camps to try to coax people who primarily live outside to go to a shelter for the night.
For this storm, the organization's outreach team has been "working day and night," Oskin said, distributing free cold-weather gear to people living in tents or other places outdoors.
While Springs Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, which runs a shelter for homeless families, and The Place, the city's only teen and young adult shelter, received money from the city of Colorado Springs' general fund this year and will again next year, Oskin said she remains hopeful that the city will add her organization to the funding pot.
City Council has debated the idea but has cited safety concerns, as people are allowed to bring substances with them to Hope COS shelters but cannot use them inside the facilities. Springs Rescue Mission, on the other hand, bans drugs and alcohol from being brought onto its campus.
"We've worked hard to develop guidelines that stay true to our mission while also adding layers of safety, allowing us to collaborate effectively with partnering agencies, including the city if they choose to support us financially," Oskin said.
