Soil reveals root causes of structural concerns at Colorado Springs middle school

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – 11 News is learning the root cause of the structural concerns at one of Colorado Springs largest middle schools. On Monday evening, Colorado Springs School District 11 released their final report on the structural and geotechnical surveys on Jenkins Middle School. The 40 page report points to significant settling under the building.

The settling is due to an increase in moisture content of the soil from the time of construction in 1998 to now. It also highlights that the 7th and 8th grade wing will be extremely difficult and costly to repair. In our previous reporting, we documented that the two story corner of the building is the area of main concern. Engineers report that it is not recommended for occupancy.

Monday’s full report explains that the foundational piers in that area have likely failed. It goes on to give several different repair options that include adding extra support to the piers to help with foundation movements, as well as compaction grouting to stabilize the soil.

The report also states that it may be more efficient and less costly to demo that wing of the school and rebuild.

A feasibility study was proposed several times throughout the report. No word yet on if or when that will happen. Last week, D-11 released that they are hoping to have incoming sixth graders back in the building for the 2025-2026 school year.

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