Colorado Springs, CO – By Sunday afternoon, the federal agents and local law enforcement officers who conducted a pre-dawn DEA raid at a Colorado Springs event space had cleared the scene, but the aftermath of their presence remained visible.
Crews were seen repairing damage to the building, boarding up doors and windows that had been forced open during the operation. Several vehicles remained parked outside the venue, belonging to individuals who were taken into custody and had not yet returned. Throughout the day, friends and relatives of those detained came by to retrieve personal belongings and check on the state of the property.
The raid, which stunned many in the predominantly Latino neighborhood, drew a steady stream of onlookers and community members who gathered to share information and show support.
“Us Latinos carry a lot of weight in this country as workers. It doesn’t matter where we work,” said longtime Colorado Springs resident Jorge Puentes in Spanish. “We show up because it’s what we have here and what we bring from our home countries.”
James Tafoya, a Colorado Springs native, echoed the sentiment of community concern. “I’ve lived in numerous places in this area, but I like this area,” he said. “These people have families. It’s… hurting their families.”
Others expressed frustration and disbelief over the impact of the raid.
“There was a lot of surprise,” said Zac Lounsbury, who came to the site to show solidarity. “To see actions where that community is being torn apart and seeing neighbors targeted really goes against what I see as the values of Colorado Springs.”
While the DEA has not yet released full details regarding the nature of the investigation or the number of arrests made, the operation has sparked questions among local residents about the use of force and the broader implications for the community.
KOAA News5 reached out to the tenant of the raided space for comment but had not received a response as of Sunday night. According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office, business registration records list the tenant as an active LLC, though further details about the operation of the business were not immediately available.
As cleanup continues and the investigation unfolds, many in the area are left grappling with a sense of uncertainty and disruption.
