PUEBLO — The Pueblo community is stepping to help the emergency warming shelter in Pueblo. The United Way of Pueblo County donated $10,000 to the Pueblo Rescue Mission this week to help with the shelter.
It opened earlier this week because of the freezing temperatures in the area.
The Pueblo Rescue Mission is managing the shelter at 901 W. 9th Street, on a temporary basis until a permanent facility opens on 4th St is later this year. The 9th St. location is the same facility used as an emergency shelter last winter.
The decision to open an emergency facility was based on safety. Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said police officers were patrolling the streets durings the storm Tuesday night looking for people to bring in out of the cold.
Many stayed in the lobby of the police department. Others were brought into the SRDA or to local businesses willing to open their doors like Tick Tock Pueblo and Health Solutions .
Gradisar estimates it will cost anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000 to keep an emergency shelter open until the new year. City Council is expected to discuss the issue on Monday night and decide whether to keep the facility open on a nightly basis, or only when the temperatures reach dangerous lows.
