PUEBLO – Time is running out for leaders in Pueblo.
As of Monday, there was still no temporary warming shelter for the homeless community.
With snow and cold temps in the forecast this week something needs to be done fast.
On Monday, News 5 spoke with officials to find out what options are being considered. Several different ideas are being thrown around, but they want to look into these a bit more before they run with anything or make a public announcement.
A few weeks ago there were plans to purchase a pair of land parcels for a homeless shelter – The Bargain Box building on East Fourth Street and a smaller building nearby on Chester Avenue. Those plans were scrapped after interior issues were found at the buildings.
Officials are now visiting different sights, considering indoor facilities like warehouses and even empty lots where they might be able to setup heated tents. Hotel vouchers are also being considered.
Pueblo County Commissioner Garrison Ortiz said, “With colder weather coming in here very soon there’s a greater sense of urgency to find a location even if it be temporary to get us through the winter months.”
Councilman Mark Aliff, who has led efforts to deal with this issue, said he’s reached out to state officials for help as well as the National Guard to ask for tents. As of Monday he was still waiting to hear from both.
Both Ortiz and Aliff want to assure people the county and city are doing all they can to collaborate on this very important issue. They hope to have a plan by the end of this week or the beginning of next week.
