Colorado
Colorado Springs wraps up city-wide clean-up efforts
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Hundreds of tons of trash are now off the streets of Colorado Springs after the police department and their partner agencies wrapped up a two-day clean-up operation Thursday.
The clean up focused on trails, parks and roadways in the following areas:
Cleanup efforts are focusing on the following areas:
- I-25
- Nevada Avenue from downtown to South Academy
- Lake Avenue from Broadmoor to I-25
- 8th Street from Colorado to Cheyenne Road
- Proby Parkway from Academy to Powers
- Areas near the Colorado Springs Airport
- Cheyenne Boulevard from Mesa to Nevada
- Tejon Street from downtown to Cheyenne Boulevard
- West Cheyenne Road from Mesa to Lake
Officials at the Colorado Springs Police Department shared the following statistics:
Trash
Day 1: Approximately 700 cubic yards of trash and debris, equivalent to about 175 tons of waste, were collected. That’s enough to cover a basketball court in about 4 feet of trash.
Day 2: Approximately 300 cubic yards of trash and debris, equivalent to about 125 tons of waste, were collected. That’s enough to cover a regulation basketball court in 2.5 feet of trash.
Totals: A rough *early-estimate of the 2-day total for the work of all partner organizations is approximately 1,000 cubic yards of trash, equivalent to about 300 tons, which would cover a regulation basketball court in approximately 6 feet of trash.
Enforcement
Arrests Day 1: 3 felony warrant arrests (that includes 1 unregistered sex offender – see blotter post from 4-2-25), 54 misdemeanor warrant arrests, 4 waterway tickets, 8 trespassing tickets, 2 camping in parks tickets, and 3 misdemeanor drug arrests.
Arrests Day 2: 2 felony warrant arrests, 6 misdemeanor warrant arrests, 1 waterway ticket, 1 trespass ticket.
Totals: 5 felony arrests, 60 misdemeanor arrests, 5 waterway tickets, 9 trespassing tickets, 2 camping tickets, and 3 misdemeanor drug arrests.
Those affected by the clean-up tell 11 News they weren’t happy with how the operation was conducted.
“Yesterday was horrible,” unhoused individual Megan Crosby said. “Cops were out here bulldozing people. Some of them are young, there are young people out here and have nowhere to go. They’re in tents.”
Those at Springs Rescue Mission said they know homelessness is a complicated problem.
“We don’t know if we’ll ever be able to solve homelessness, particularly ourselves as an organization, but we can solve homelessness for one person at a time,” president/CEO Travis Williams said.
Williams said they saw an uptick in people using their services while the clean-up was going on.
“When we look at numbers historically, we’re going to be in that 308 to 400 number,” he said. “Last night [Wednesday] we had 426 stay the night with us at the mission.”
Williams said he hopes the people coming through their door can take advantage of the services they offer.
“We see time and time again how sometimes, camp clean ups actually encourage folks to find the help that they need and then ultimately find a pathway out of homelessness,” he said.
Copyright 2025 KKTV. All rights reserved.