Felony Arrest Made During Cleanup of Illegal Homeless Camps on Private Property

This past week, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful to restore private property near B Street that had been damaged by several homeless encampments. The cleanup took place in the open space south of businesses spanning from 2025 B Street to 2145 B Street in unincorporated El Paso County.

Notices had been prominently posted at the camps weeks in advance, advising individuals to vacate the property and providing information and resources for people experiencing homelessness.

During the process, deputies were notified that one of the adult females contacted at the site had been providing false identification to law enforcement and had appeared in court using a family member’s identity. An arrest warrant was issued for 49-year-old Stephanie Bleam on three counts of Identity Theft and additional felony charges.

On September 10, 2025, deputies located and arrested Bleam at the encampment. She is being held at the El Paso County Jail on three warrants with a total bond of $6,700.

“Public safety and dignity can move in step,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “We will not tolerate criminal activity that undermines the safety of our neighborhoods or violates the rights of property owners. While our team provided notice and resources to those in need, we also ensured accountability for individuals who chose to commit crimes. I am grateful to Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, the District Attorney’s Office, our Reserve Unit, and the Sheriff’s Posse for their professional and measured response. My Office will continue to protect property rights, safeguard our communities, and hold offenders accountable under the law.”

Members of the Sheriff’s Posse assisted deputies by providing security and maintaining a perimeter after the initial clearing and safety sweeps. Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful successfully removed trash and debris, filling an entire roll-off dumpster.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with community organizations and property owners to maintain public safety and protect private property rights across the Pikes Peak region.

 

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Contact Information

Phone
(719) 520-7100

Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Office hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm