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‘It’s just this endless, vicious, expensive, frustrating cycle’: Colorado Springs residents weigh in on updated homelessness plan

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‘It’s just this endless, vicious, expensive, frustrating cycle’: Colorado Springs residents weigh in on updated homelessness plan


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Colorado Springs residents got their first look at what the city’s updated Homeless Response Plan might look like Thursday afternoon.

Residents, advocates, leaders, and unhoused citizens all packed into a room at the city administration building for a preview of a plan that’s been in the works for more than a year.

“I was really excited to see all these different residents that showed up today,” Housing and Community Vitality Department Acting Chief Housing Officer Katie Sunderlind said. “What was presented today was our base, and we’re going to make sure that’s updated based on what we’ve heard today.”

The presentation laid out concrete steps the city can take to make sure residents across the continuum of homelessness are taken care of with six focus areas that include homelessness prevention, enforcement and clean up, street outreach and shelter, employment opportunities, affordable housing and supportive services, and regional and collaborative communication.

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Actions include ensuring housing for seniors and those experiencing mental health issues, increasing the number of officers on the CSPD Homeless Outreach Team, finding partners to operate a non-congregate shelter, expanding the WorkCOS program, and increasing the number of low-income affordable housing.

Unhoused Colorado Springs resident Louis Acker said he felt the meeting went well.

“This is the first meeting they allowed the homeless to actually be in,” he said. “I think they should have a couple people from the streets to let them know how it works because there’s a couple things I want to change.”

Housing advocate Max Kronstadt said he was pleased to hear about some parts of the city’s plan.

“I was very happy to see the city talking about using federal funding to create expanded shelter options because that’s something that we sorely need in town,” he said. “We also advocated for increased public bathrooms so opening up the bathrooms that exist and expanding bathrooms so I was happy to see that included in the plan as well.”

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However, he said there are also things he’d like to see change.

“Disappointed to see the expansion of the HOT team when there’s no evidence to suggest that’s working, it’s actually actively setting people back in their ability to get out of homelessness,”Kronstadt said.

Old Colorado City homeowner David Vaillencourt said while he believes there’s a lot to like about the plan, he also sees room for improvement.

“We need more than just a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. HOT crew, we need a lot more staff there and it can’t be just about enforcement because that’s expensive, it doesn’t make sense to just keep ticketing and bringing people to court, we need something more sustainable,” he said.

Vaillencourt said he wants the city to address the root causes of homelessness.

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“Otherwise we just keep putting a Band-Aid on it and it’s just like we’re taking on water in the boat and continuing to bail it out and it’s just this endless, vicious, expensive, frustrating cycle,” he said.

Sunderlind said they plan to release a full draft in early September, ahead of the mayor’s State of the City speech.



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Colorado

No white Christmas in Fort Collins, but here’s when Northern Colorado could get snow

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No white Christmas in Fort Collins, but here’s when Northern Colorado could get snow


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It’s looking to be a warm and dry Christmas in Fort Collins, but there may be a glimpse of winter weather ahead. 

Fort Collins is in for a sunny Christmas Eve with an expected high of 54 degrees, with clouds and light wind forecasted heading into the evening and an overnight low of 27, according to the National Weather Service. Christmas Day will likely be much of the same, with some clouds, a high of 50 and low of 24 expected. 

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After another warmer day Thursday with a high of 50 degrees, we could get a glimpse at some winter weather Thursday night. There is a slight chance of rain after 11 p.m. that could mix with snow after 1 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. The chance of precipitation Thursday is 20%.

After another warmer weekend — with a high near 47 degrees expected Friday, 54 on Saturday and 57 on Sunday — there’s another chance of rain and snow accompanied by wind Monday, according to the National Weather Service, despite the high temperature Monday expected to be near 52 degrees. 

Colorado’s mountains have a much better chance of a white Christmas, with 1 to 3 inches of snow expected around the holidays.



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Colorado woman recovers from unique liver cancer surgery in time for Christmas

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Colorado woman recovers from unique liver cancer surgery in time for Christmas


It was a very special holiday season for an Aurora resident recovering after a unique surgery. Doctors push the limits to treat patients, especially during this time of year.

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Anna Aist speaks to CBS Colorado at her Aurora home ahead of Christmas 2024. 

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It only takes one look around Anna Aist’s house to see Christmas is her favorite holiday.

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“I started to buy those many, many years ago,” Aist told CBS Colorado. 

Aist’s house was ready ahead of Christmas. From the village, to the nutcrackers lining her kitchen, to the handmade pieces of art from her late husband, who passed away this year.

“He loved woodwork,” Aist explained. “He made all of these. This this whole room is Santa.”

It’s almost a year since, Aist’s husband passed away in January. 

“Who would have thought I would have got cancer after that,” Aist said. 

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At 84 years young, this is a special Christmas for Aist. She’s still recoverin from surgery after being diagnosed with liver cancer earlier in 2024.

“He told everybody I looked spry, and I passed all the tests except for three, and they had to do with my liver,” Aist said. 

Dr. Raheel Jajja at HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s tried a unique liver resection surgery.

“He thinks he got it all, and he took out 10% of my liver,” Aist explained. 

A had specific instructions on when to have the surgery this year.

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“I said, if you’re going to do it, do it soon,” Aist   said. “Because I want to be up feeling good for the holidays. That’s one of my favorite things.”

So Aist’s family from all over Colorado will soon be with her to unwrap presents and spend time together. It’s precious time with a patient who has worked hard to make the holiday special.

“And they said they want food, food, food,” Aist said with a positive chuckle.



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Deion Sanders and Colorado land Texas A&M transfer OL Aki Ogunbiyi

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Deion Sanders and Colorado land Texas A&M transfer OL Aki Ogunbiyi


Colorado has landed a significant addition to their offensive line with the transfer of Texas A&M offensive lineman Aki Ogunbiyi. This move signals head coach Deion Sanders’ ongoing commitment to the trenches after a season plagued by pass protection struggles.

Ogunbiyi, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound lineman from Houston, Texas, brings experience and potential to a unit that ranked near the bottom nationally in sacks allowed, giving up 39 in 2024.

Ogunbiyi’s decision to transfer to Colorado comes after four seasons at Texas A&M, where he showcased his talent despite limited playing time. Originally a four-star recruit in the 2020 class, Ogunbiyi was ranked as the No. 9 offensive guard in the nation and the No. 34 player in Texas. His arrival at College Station was met with high expectations, and while he contributed in multiple games, his full potential was never fully realized during his time with the Aggies.

Deion Sanders says he won’t attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay

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Over the course of his career at Texas A&M, Ogunbiyi accumulated 654 offensive snaps, starting eight games and earning the team’s Offensive Most Improved Player Award. His size, strength, and pedigree as a run blocker align well with the Buffaloes’ urgent need to establish a more formidable offensive line presence. In the 2023 season, Ogunbiyi appeared in three games against McNeese, Missouri, and New Mexico State before entering the transfer portal.

For Colorado, Ogunbiyi’s arrival could provide an immediate boost to their offensive line, a crucial factor as the Buffaloes aim to contend in the Big 12.

With only one year of eligibility remaining, Ogunbiyi is expected to compete for a starting role at either guard position this spring. His experience against SEC competition and accolades as an improved offensive player could make him a pivotal piece in Colorado’s efforts to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders and strengthen the run game.

As Coach Prime continues to reshape the roster, Ogunbiyi’s transfer underscores the Buffaloes’ focus on enhancing their offensive line – a critical step toward achieving their championship aspirations.



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