PUEBLO, CO — City crews in Pueblo are intensifying their efforts to clear homeless encampments along key areas near I-25. This week, crews focused on the stretch between Gruma Drive and Chester Street, extending northward to the exit 100A sign near Highway 50, an area encompassing over a mile of land next to I-25 and Fountain Creek.
Mike Purdy, the Community Services Supervisor for the City of Pueblo, emphasized that this recent cleanup reached areas that had been previously difficult to access. “We got in deeper to areas we could not get to before,” Purdy explained. “Past those trees, all of it was garbage.” As part of the operation, 16 large dumpsters were filled with trash, discarded needles, and remnants of homeless encampments.
In an effort to minimize disruptions, the city provided advance notice to those living in the encampments. Police officers were stationed in the area to inform individuals that they needed to vacate the premises, and many were relocated without incident. “There have been a few people down there, but for the most part, police go down there and talk to them, and then they relocate,” Purdy said.
The city is also focused on providing support for those displaced. Efforts include connecting individuals to local services, such as the Pueblo Rescue Mission, to help them transition out of the homeless environment. “We are trying to improve the environment for everybody and provide services for people who want to get out of that environment,” Purdy noted.
Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham also took to social media to highlight the transformation, posting before-and-after photos of the area that show a dramatic change. While remnants of trash still linger, the tarps and makeshift shelters that once dotted the landscape have been removed.
This cleanup follows a similar initiative carried out last fall, when city crews cleared out encampments from 4th Street to the 8th Street bridge along I-25, as well as the area further south known as “The Jungle.” The ongoing cleanups are part of the city’s broader efforts to address homelessness and improve public spaces.
While the area has been cleared of visible encampments for now, city officials acknowledge that this issue requires a multifaceted approach, blending sanitation efforts with services to support those experiencing homelessness. As the city continues its clean-up efforts, the balance between maintaining clean public spaces and offering assistance to those in need remains a central focus.
